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Chapter 10 · The Opulence of the Absolute · 42 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Krishna’s natureChapter 10 · The Opulence of the Absolute

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 10.33

Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestations

Īśvara · God

अक्षराणामकारोऽस्मि द्वन्द्व: सामासिकस्य च ।

अहमेवाक्षय: कालो धाताहं विश्वतोमुख: ॥ ३३ ॥

akṣarāṇām a-kāro ’smi

dvandvaḥ sāmāsikasya ca

aham evākṣayaḥ kālo

dhātāhaṁ viśvato-mukhaḥ

Translation

Of letters I am the letter A, and among compound words I am the dual compound. I am also inexhaustible time, and of creators I am Brahmā.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Sound, Time, and Creation

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa is the letter A, the dual compound, inexhaustible time, and Brahmā among creators.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that A begins sound and Vedic literature, while time ultimately destroys everything.

  3. 3

    Brahmā is the chief creator among living beings and represents the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa.

Further reading

Krishna’s Opulences Krishna Describes The Most Prominent Among His

limitless, all-pervading opulences

Names His opulences and then explains that these opulences simply indicate a fraction of His glory

Because He pervades and supports the entire universe with a mere fragment of His total potency

Chapter 10, section IV: Krishna’s Opulences Krishna Describes The Most Prominent Among His
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. akṣarāṇāmof letters
  2. a-kāraḥthe first letter
  3. asmiI am
  4. dvandvaḥthe dual
  5. sāmāsikasyaof compounds
  6. caand
  7. ahamI am
  8. evacertainly
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhagavān, vibhūti.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 10.33 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to krishna’s nature?

Practice

Notice something excellent and see it as His opulence.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

Live this todaySeeing Kṛṣṇa in TimeOne practice from this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.