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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

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
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

10.5 10.7

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 10.6

Krishna is the origin of all qualities and beings

Īśvara · God

महर्षय: सप्‍त पूर्वे चत्वारो मनवस्तथा ।

मद्भ‍ावा मानसा जाता येषां लोक इमा: प्रजा: ॥ ६ ॥

maharṣayaḥ sapta pūrve

catvāro manavas tathā

mad-bhāvā mānasā jātā

yeṣāṁ loka imāḥ prajāḥ

Translation

The seven great sages and before them the four other great sages and the Manus [progenitors of mankind] come from Me, born from My mind, and all the living beings populating the various planets descend from them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

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

3 study points

Kṛṣṇa, the Source of All

1
The seven great sages, the four earlier sages, and the Manus come from Kṛṣṇa’s mind. All living beings descend from them.
2
Prabhupāda explains that Brahmā comes from the Supreme Lord’s energy, and these sages and Manus come from Brahmā.
3
Remember that Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate source of all living beings, including Brahmā, the grandfather of all.

Key points from the purport

He is the source of all

He is the source of all great sages, Manus and all living entities

Thus Lord gives genealogical synopsis of universal population

‘Hiryanyagarbha’ — refers to Brahmaji who is the original creator born out of the energy of the Supreme Lord

Patriarchs of the living entities — 25 great sages = 4 Great sages born from Brahma (4 Kumaras) + 7 Great sages born from Brahma + 14 Manus

Tapasya of Brahma — lasted 1000 demigod years – He realised by Krishna’s grace how to create

Krishna is Prapitamaha (father of grandfather) and Brahma is known as Pitamaha (grandfather)

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 10.6 & 10.7 — Srila Prabhupada mentions that the twenty-five persons spoken of in this verse (eleven sages and fourteen Manus) are the source of all progeny in the universe. Even these exalted personalities can accurately learn about Krishna only by hearing directly from Him or His devotees.