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Chapter 10 · Verse 41

Chapter 10Verse 41

Gita Chapter 10 Verse 41

Timeless wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita

यद्यद्विभूतिमत्सत्त्वं श्रीमदूर्जितमेव वा। तत्तदेवावगच्छ त्वं मम तेजसःअंशसंभवम्।।10.41।।

yadyad‑vibhūtimat‑sattvaṃ śrīmad‑urjitam eva vā; tat‑tad‑eva‑avagaccha tvaṃ mama tejasya aṁśa‑sambhavaḥ

Translation

Whatever you perceive as beautiful, glorious, or powerful, know it to be a mere part of My splendor.

Word Meanings

yad yad — whatever; dvibhūtim — opulences; at — having; sattvaṃ — existence; śrīmad — beautiful; ūrdhita — glorious; eva — certainly; vā — or; tat — that; tat — the same; eva — certainly; avagaccha — understand; tvam — you; mama — My; tejasḥ — splendor; aṁśa — part; sambhavaḥ — born of.

Understanding the Verse

In this verse of the Vibhuti‑Yoga, Lord Krishna expands the disciple's understanding of divine manifestation. He tells Arjuna that every form of beauty, power, and opulence that the mind can conceive is not an independent creation but a "spark" or "portion" of the Supreme's own radiant energy. The Sanskrit terms "yad yadi" (whatever) and "dvibhūtim" (opulences) emphasize the boundless variety of phenomena that appear in the material world. By pairing these with "śrīmad" (auspicious, beautiful) and "urjita" (glorious, powerful), the Lord categorizes all attractive qualities under one umbrella, indicating that the divine is the source of both aesthetic and dynamic attributes.

The instruction "tat‑tad‑eva‑avagaccha" (understand that it is exactly that) functions as an invitation for the seeker to internalize a non‑dual perspective. It advises Arjuna – and through him, the reader – to look beyond the superficial multiplicity and recognize the underlying unity. The word "tejasya" (of splendor) refers to the inherent luminosity of the Divine, the luminous principle that pervades existence. By describing the world’s splendors as "aṁśa‑sambhavaḥ" (a part or fragment), Krishna conveys that the cosmos is not separate from Him but a manifold expression of His intrinsic power.

Philosophically, this aligns with the Vedantic view that the material universe (prakṛti) is a manifestation of Brahman's maya, an expression that, while appearing distinct, remains inseparable from its source. The verse thus encourages an internal shift: when one admires a beautiful flower, a mighty mountain, or a radiant sunrise, the mind should trace the appreciation back to the divine radiance that animates these forms. This shift dissolves egoic attachments to external objects and cultivates reverence for the divine presence in all experiences.

Practically, the teaching has profound implications for daily life. It fosters humility, as respect for all creation stems from recognizing its divine origin. It also nurtures gratitude, because every moment of beauty or strength is a reminder of the supreme's generosity. Moreover, it aids in reducing fear and anxiety; seeing challenges as merely variations of divine power can transform how one confronts adversity. In the broader context of the Bhagavad Gita, this verse reinforces the theme that true knowledge (jnana) is the recognition of the oneness of all, leading the aspirant toward liberation (moksha).

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