Chapter 10 Verse 16-17
Vibhūti Yog
वक्तुमर्हस्यशेषेण दिव्या ह्यात्मविभूतयः। याभिर्विभूतिभिर्लोकानिमांस्त्वं व्याप्य तिष्ठसि।।10.16।। कथं विद्यामहं योगिंस्त्वां सदा परिचिन्तयन्। केषु केषु च भावेषु चिन्त्योऽसि भगवन्मया।।10.17।।
vaktum arhasyaśheṣheṇa divyā hyātma-vibhūtayaḥ yābhir vibhūtibhir lokān imāṁs tvaṁ vyāpya tiṣhṭhasi kathaṁ vidyām ahaṁ yogins tvāṁ sadā parichintayan keṣhu keṣhu cha bhāveṣhu chintyo ’si bhagavan mayā
Word Meanings
| vaktum | to describe |
| arhasi | please do |
| aśheṣheṇa | completely |
| divyāḥ | divine |
| hi | indeed |
| ātma | your own |
| vibhūtayaḥ | opulences |
| yābhiḥ | by which |
| vibhūtibhiḥ | opulences |
| lokān | all worlds |
| imān | these |
| tvam | you |
| vyāpya | pervade |
| tiṣhṭhasi | reside |
| katham | how |
| vidyām aham | shall I know |
| yogin | the Supreme Master of Yogmaya |
| tvām | you |
| sadā | always |
| parichintayan | meditating |
| keṣhu | in what |
| keṣhu | in what |
| cha | and |
| bhāveṣhu | forms |
| chintyaḥ asi | to be thought of |
| bhagavan | the Supreme Divine Personality |
| mayā | by me |
Translation
You should indeed tell, without reserve, of your divine glories by which you exist, pervading all these worlds. (No one else can do so.) How shall I, ever meditating, know you, O Yogin? In what aspects or things, O blessed Lord, should I think of you?
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Krishna asks to be told plainly about his divine powers and glories that make him present in all worlds. This is an invitation to recognize God not as a distant idea but as the active life behind everything we see.
Arjuna then asks how to know and meditate on that Lord. He wants to know which aspects or forms to focus on so his meditation becomes direct and real. The teaching is practical: learn God by seeing his qualities — wisdom, strength, beauty, mercy, order — wherever they appear.
Knowing God through these "vibhutis" (divine manifestations) helps turn attention away from small, selfish concerns and toward a wider, steadier view of life. When you remember the divine in daily events and in people’s noble actions, you stay calm, grateful, and guided.
Life Application
- Pick one divine quality (kindness, patience, clarity, courage) each day and notice moments it appears in you, others, or nature.
- When facing stress, pause and name a vibhuti you trust (e.g., strength or wisdom) to reorient your mind and act with purpose.
- Use short meditations (2–5 minutes) focusing on the Lord as present in your work, relationships, and the natural world.
Reflection Question
Which divine quality am I most ready to recognize and cultivate today?