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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
10.4111.1

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 10.42

Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestations

Īśvara · God

अथवा बहुनैतेन किं ज्ञातेन तवार्जुन ।

विष्टभ्याहमिदं कृत्स्नमेकांशेन स्थितो जगत् ॥ ४२ ॥

atha vā bahunaitena

kiṁ jñātena tavārjuna

viṣṭabhyāham idaṁ kṛtsnam

ekāṁśena sthito jagat

Translation

But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe.

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 Supports the Entire Universe

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna that with a single fragment of Himself, He pervades and supports the entire universe.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa sustains all beings as the Supersoul within them. No one, including the demigods, is equal to or greater than Him.

  3. 3

    Study Kṛṣṇa’s greatness to understand His supreme position and keep your mind fixed on worshiping and serving Him.

Key points from the purport

Indeed Krishna supports and pervades the entire universe with a mere fragment of Himself

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. atha vāor
  2. bahunāmany
  3. etenaby this kind
  4. kimwhat
  5. jñātenaby knowing
  6. tavayour
  7. arjunaO Arjuna
  8. viṣṭabhyapervading
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 10.42 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 todayA Spark of Kṛṣṇa’s SplendorA practice from BG 10.41, close to this verse

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

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