1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 10 · The Opulence of the Absolute · 42 verses

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

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 10.37

Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestations

Īśvara · God

वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनञ्जय: ।

मुनीनामप्यहं व्यास: कवीनामुशना कवि: ॥ ३७ ॥

vṛṣṇīnāṁ vāsudevo ’smi

pāṇḍavānāṁ dhanañ-jayaḥ

munīnām apy ahaṁ vyāsaḥ

kavīnām uśanā kaviḥ

Translation

Of the descendants of Vṛṣṇi I am Vāsudeva, and of the Pāṇḍavas I am Arjuna. Of the sages I am Vyāsa, and among great thinkers I am Uśanā.

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

Kṛṣṇa and His Representatives

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa says He is Vāsudeva among Vṛṣṇi’s descendants, Arjuna among the Pāṇḍavas, Vyāsa among sages, and Uśanā among great thinkers.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. Here, Vāsudeva refers to Baladeva, Kṛṣṇa’s immediate expansion.

  3. 3

    Vyāsa explained Vedic knowledge in many ways so ordinary people could understand it. He is also an incarnation of 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. vṛṣṇīnāmof the descendants of Vṛṣṇi
  2. vāsudevaḥKṛṣṇa in Dvārakā
  3. asmiI am
  4. pāṇḍavānāmof the Pāṇḍavas
  5. dhanam-jayaḥArjuna
  6. munīnāmof the sages
  7. apialso
  8. ahamI am
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 10.37 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

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 10 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

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.