Chapter 10

Lord Krishna said: Arjuna, hear once again my supreme word which I shall speak to you which are so loving out of solicitude and for your welfare. Neither gods nor the great sages know the secret of my birth (i.e., my manifestation in human or other forms out of mere sport), for I am the prime cause in all respects of gods as well as of the great seers. He who knows in reality this supreme divine glory and supernatural power of mine gets established in me through unfaltering devotion. In order to bestow my compassion on them, I dwell in their hearts and dispel their darkness born of ignorance by illuminating lamp of knowledge.

Arjuna said: Krishna, I believe all as true that you tell me, lord. Neither demons nor gods are aware of your manifestations. Therefore, you alone can describe in full your divine glories, whereby you pervade all these worlds. Krishna, tell me once more in detail your power of yoga and glory, for I know no satiety in hearing your nectar-like words.

Lord Krishna said: Arjuna, now I shall tell you my prominent divine glories as there is no limit to my manifestations. Arjuna, I am the universal self seated in the hearts of all beings. I am alone the beginning, the middle and also the end of all beings. I am the radiant sun among luminaries. I am the glow of the moon and the lord of stars. Among the gods, I am Indra; among the organs of perception, I am the mind; among the reservoirs of water, I am the ocean; among the immovable, I am himalyas; among all trees, I am asvattha; among the weapons, I am thunderbolt; among the purifiers, I am the wind; among wielders of arms, I am Shri Rama, among fishes, I am shark and among streams, I am ganga. I am glory of the glorious, victory of victorious, resolve of resolute and the goodness of the good. I am the righteousness in those who seek to conquer. I am the wisdom of the wise. Arjuna, I am even that which is the seed of all life. For there is no creature, moving or unmoving which can exist without me. Arjuna, there is no limit to my divine manifestations. This is only a brief description by me of the extent of my glory. Or, what will you gain by knowing all this in detail, Arjuna, suffice it to say that I hold this entire universe by a fraction of my yogic power.