विस्तरेणात्मनो योगं विभूतिं च जनार्दन। भूयः कथय तृप्तिर्हि श्रृण्वतो नास्ति मेऽमृतम्।।10.18।।
vistareṇa ātmanaḥ yogaṁ vibhūtiṁ ca janārdana; bhūyaḥ kathaya tṛptiḥ hi śṛṇvataḥ nāsti me amṛtam
Translation
Tell me again in detail Your divine glories and manifestations, O Janardan. I can never tire of hearing your nectar.
Word Meanings
vistareṇa — in detail; ātmanaḥ — Your; yogaṁ — mystic power; vibhūtiṁ — opulences; ca — also; janārdanaḥ — O killer of the atheists; bhūyaḥ — again; kathaya — describe; tṛptiḥ — satisfaction; hi — certainly; śṛṇvataḥ — hearing; na asti — there is not; me — my; amṛtam — nectar.
Understanding the Verse
In this verse Arjuna, overwhelmed by the cosmic vision of Krishna's divine manifestations, seeks a deeper exposition of the Lord's infinite glories. By invoking the term vistareṇa (in detail), Arjuna acknowledges that a mere glimpse of the divine is insufficient for his yearning heart. He implores Krishna to elaborate on yoga (mystic power) and vibhūti (opulences), which together constitute the manifold expressions of the Supreme Reality. The inclusion of both terms highlights that the divine is not limited to a single attribute; rather, it pervades all realms of power and splendor.
The address janārdana (the destroyer of those who deny the divine) underscores Krishna's role as the ultimate truth‑giver who vanquishes ignorance. By using this epithet, Arjuna affirms his reverence for Krishna not merely as a charioteer but as the supreme source of all wisdom. The request bhūyaḥ kathaya (again describe) reflects a humility that is central to bhakti: even after receiving a monumental revelation, the seeker wishes to immerse further into the divine narrative, emphasizing a never‑ending thirst for spiritual knowledge.
The phrase tṛptiḥ hi (certainly satisfaction) followed by śṛṇvataḥ (by hearing) conveys that the very act of listening to the Lord's description yields profound fulfillment. For Arjuna, the nectar amṛtam of Krishna’s words is a source of immortal bliss, surpassing any worldly pleasure. The denial na asti (there is not) stresses that no amount of hearing can exhaust this satisfaction, pointing to the inexhaustible nature of divine bliss. This paradox—where the seeker never tires yet remains perpetually hungry—mirrors the infinite ocean of consciousness that the Divine embodies.
From a philosophical perspective, this verse illustrates the principle of ananya‑bhakti (exclusive devotion). Arjuna’s request is not a casual curiosity but a heartfelt yearning that epitomizes the devotee’s relationship with the Supreme. By seeking a detailed account, the seeker acknowledges that the divine reality is multilayered, inviting progressive revelation through successive stages of understanding. Furthermore, the verse subtly teaches that true knowledge is not merely intellectual; it is experiential, realized through the sweet nectar of the divine utterance, which transforms the listener’s consciousness.
In the broader context of Chapter 10, where Krishna enumerates his divine manifestations (vibhūti‑yoga), this verse serves as a pivotal moment of introspection. Arjuna, after hearing a catalog of the Lord’s wondrous forms, realizes that the partial view only intensifies his desire for a comprehensive vision. Thus, the dialogue progresses toward an ever‑deeper immersion in the divine mystery, reinforcing the Gita’s central message: the path to liberation lies in surrendering to the Lord’s infinite wisdom and embracing the endless, nourishing nectar of his revelation.
