In Bhagavad Gita 10.17, Arjuna asks how he may know Krishna by constant meditation, and in which forms he should think of him.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
कथं विद्यामहं योगिंस्
त्वां सदा परिचिन्तयन्
केषु केषु च भावेषु
चिन्त्योऽसि भगवन्मया ॥ १०-१७ ॥
kathaṃ vidyāmahaṃ yogiṃs
tvāṃ sadā paricintayan
keṣu keṣu ca bhāveṣu
cintyo’si bhagavanmayā
English transliteration katham vidyaamaham yogims
tvaam sadaa parichintayan
keshu keshu cha bhaaveshu
chintyo’si bhagavanmayaa ॥ 10.17 ॥
Translation / Meaning
How may I know You, O Yogi, by constant meditation? In what various forms, O Lord, are You to be thought of by me?
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| कथम् katham | how |
| विद्याम् vidyām | may know |
| अहम् aham | I |
| योगिन् yogin | O Yogi |
| त्वाम् tvām | You |
| सदा sadā | constantly |
| परिचिन्तयन् paricintayan | meditating |
| केषु केषु keṣu keṣu | in what various |
| च ca | and |
| भावेषु bhāveṣu | forms |
| चिन्त्यः cintyaḥ | to be thought of |
| असि asi | are You |
| भगवन् bhagavan | O Lord |
| मया mayā | by me |
Word-wise Chanting
- ka–thaṃ vid–yā–ma–haṃ yo–giṃs– 8 syllables ka-tham vid-yaa-ma-ham yo-gims-
- tvāṃ sa–dā pa–ri–cin–ta–yan | 8 syllables tvaam sa-daa pa-ri-chin-ta-yan
- ke–ṣu ke–ṣu ca bhā–ve–ṣu 8 syllables ke-shu ke-shu cha bhaa-ve-shu
- cin–tyo–‘si bha–ga–van–ma–yā || 10-17 8 syllables chin-tyo-‘si bha-ga-van-ma-yaa
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 10 Verse 17
Context
Arjuna continues his request (10.16–10.18).
Meaning
Arjuna’s question is practical. He wants to meditate on the Divine constantly, but the formless is hard to hold in mind. In which bhāvas, forms or aspects, should he think of the Divine? He asks for concrete supports for meditation.
Many seekers share this need. The infinite is easier to approach through specific forms and qualities. Krishna’s answer will give Arjuna countless such supports.
In Practice
Choose one concrete form or quality through which you find it easy to remember the Divine, and use it today.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 10: Vibhuti Yoga (The Divine Manifestations). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.