मृत्युः सर्वहरश्चाहमुद्भवश्च भविष्यताम्। कीर्तिः श्रीर्वाक्च नारीणां स्मृतिर्मेधा धृतिः क्षमा।।10.34।।
mṛtyuḥ sarva‑haraś ca ahaṃ udbhavaḥ ca bhaviṣyatām | kīrtiḥ śrīḥ vāk ca nārīṇām smṛtiḥ medhā dhṛtiḥ kṣamā ||10.34||
Translation
I am death, the all‑devouring; I am also the origin of all that is yet to arise. Among the feminine qualities I am fame, splendor, eloquent speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness, and forgiveness.
Word Meanings
mṛtyuḥ — death; sarva‑haraḥ — all‑devouring; ca — also; ahaṃ — I am; udbhavaḥ — generation; ca — also; bhaviṣyatām — of future manifestations; kīrtiḥ — fame; śrīḥ — opulence or beauty; vāk — fine speech; ca — also; nārīṇām — of women; smṛtiḥ — memory; medhā — intelligence; dhṛtiḥ — firmness; kṣamā — patience.
Understanding the Verse
Verse 34 belongs to the Vibhūti‑yoga (the Chapter of Divine Glories) where Lord Krishna enumerates his cosmic manifestations, showing how every supreme attribute arises from his divine nature. In this verse, Krishna declares that he is the source of both the most fearsome and the most graceful qualities. The opening pair, mṛtyuḥ (death) and sarva‑haraḥ (the all‑devouring), highlights his power over the ultimate dissolution of the material world. Death is not a negative end but a transformative force that clears the way for new creation; by being the all‑devouring, Krishna asserts his role as the regulator of cosmic cycles, ensuring that the universe moves forward in balanced rhythm.
Next, Krishna identifies himself as udbhavaḥ, the origin of future generations. This points to his role as the underlying source of all births, including the countless beings yet to be born. It assures devotees that every new life, every fresh beginning, is rooted in the divine, offering comfort that the universe is sustained by an unbroken, conscious principle.
The second half of the verse shifts focus to qualities traditionally associated with the feminine principle (nārīṇām). By saying "kīrtiḥ, śrīḥ, vāk, smṛtiḥ, medhā, dhṛtiḥ, kṣamā," Krishna is not merely listing virtues; he is revealing that these attributes are extensions of his own essence. Kīrti (fame) and śrī (splendor or wealth) are the radiant manifestations of divine glory that inspire reverence. Vāk (eloquent speech) underscores the power of the sacred word; even the holy mantra originates from the Supreme.
Memory (smṛti), intelligence (medhā), firmness (dhṛti), and forgiveness (kṣamā) are essential for spiritual progress. Memory preserves the teachings; intelligence discerns truth; firmness steadies the seeker against doubt; forgiveness dissolves ego‑bound resentment. By embodying these, Krishna shows that the path to self‑realization is lit by his own qualities. Moreover, associating them with "women" emphasizes the nurturing, compassionate, and creative aspect of the divine, reminding devotees that the supreme reality is both transcendent and immanent, masculine and feminine.
Philosophically, the verse teaches non‑duality: the apparent opposites—death and creation, fearsome power and gentle grace—are unified within the One. Recognizing this unity helps the seeker transcend dualistic judgments and see all experiences as expressions of the same divine source. Practically, it invites believers to internalize these qualities, seeing each act of courage, forgiveness, or eloquence as a divine echo.
In the broader narrative of the Bhagavad‑Gītā, this declaration serves as a reminder that Krishna's guidance is comprehensive. He is not only the destroyer of ignorance but also the inspirer of noble conduct. By meditating on these attributes, a devotee aligns with Krishna’s divine energy, gradually transforming personal limitations into expressions of the divine will.
