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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
10.3410.36

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 10.35

Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestations

Īśvara · God

बृहत्साम तथा साम्न‍ां गायत्री छन्दसामहम् ।

मासानां मार्गशीर्षोऽहमृतूनां कुसुमाकर: ॥ ३५ ॥

bṛhat-sāma tathā sāmnāṁ

gāyatrī chandasām aham

māsānāṁ mārga-śīrṣo ’ham

ṛtūnāṁ kusumākaraḥ

Translation

Of the hymns in the Sāma Veda I am the Bṛhat-sāma, and of poetry I am the Gāyatrī. Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am flower-bearing spring.

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

The Lord’s Special Representations

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa is Bṛhat-sāma among Sāma Veda hymns, Gāyatrī among poetry, Mārgaśīrṣa (November–December) among months, and flower-bearing spring among seasons.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that Gāyatrī represents the Supreme Lord because it is meant for God realization. Chanting it requires spiritual qualifications.

  3. 3

    Spring represents Kṛṣṇa as the most joyful season, with pleasant weather, blossoming flowers and trees, and ceremonies remembering His pastimes.

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. bṛhat-sāmathe Bṛhat-sāma
  2. tathāalso
  3. sāmnāmof the Sāma Veda songs
  4. gāyatrīthe Gāyatrī hymns
  5. chandasāmof all poetry
  6. ahamI am
  7. māsānāmof months
  8. mārga-śīrṣaḥthe month of November-December
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 10.35 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.

BG 10.19Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestationsBG 10.20Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestationsBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 11.51Composure returns in Krishna’s personal presence
Live this todaySeeing Kṛṣṇa in TimeA practice from BG 10.33, close to this verse

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

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