Bhagavad Gita · Verse 10.42
Chapter 10: Vibhuti Yoga (विभूतियोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अथवा बहुनैतेन किं ज्ञातेन तवार्जुन । विष्टभ्याहमिदं कृत्स्नमेकांशेन स्थितो जगत् ॥४२॥
athavā bahunaitena kiṃ jñātena tavārjuna | viṣṭabhyāhamidaṃ kṛtsnamekāṃśena sthito jagat ||42||
Complete Shloka Translation
Or, Arjuna, what need have you of so much detailed knowledge? Sustaining this entire world with a single portion of Myself, I remain.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अथवा | atha vā | or else / on the other hand |
| बहुना एतेन | bahunā etena | by this extensive manifold description |
| किम् ज्ञातेन | kim jñātena | what is the need of knowing |
| तव | tava | for you |
| अर्जुन | arjuna | O Arjuna |
| विष्टभ्य | viṣṭabhya | pervading, supporting, and upholding |
| अहम् | aham | I |
| इदम् | idam | this |
| कृत्स्नम् | kṛtsnam | entire infinite cosmos |
| एक-अंशेन | eka-aṁśena | by a single minute fraction of My being |
| स्थितः | sthitaḥ | remain stationed and established |
| जगत् | jagat | the cosmic universe |
or else / on the other hand
by this extensive manifold description
what is the need of knowing
for you
O Arjuna
pervading, supporting, and upholding
I
this
entire infinite cosmos
by a single minute fraction of My being
remain stationed and established
the cosmic universe
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The close gathers the catalogue into Krishna's sustaining presence. A single portion expresses divine greatness; its philosophical meaning is not a measurable physical fraction.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Let many details lead back to a unifying understanding."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What unifying understanding emerges from these examples?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to recognize magnificence in daily life: whenever you encounter brilliance, kindness, creativity, or courage in anyone, recognize it as a reflection of the Divine Source, fostering humility and reverence.