In Bhagavad Gita 10.18, Arjuna asks Krishna to describe again in detail his power and glories, for he is never satisfied hearing these nectar-like words.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
विस्तरेणात्मनो योगं
विभूतिं च जनार्दन
भूयः कथय तृप्तिर्हि
शृण्वतो नास्ति मेऽमृतम् ॥ १०-१८ ॥
vistareṇātmano yogaṃ
vibhūtiṃ ca janārdana
bhūyaḥ kathaya tṛptirhi
śṛṇvato nāsti me’mṛtam
English transliteration vistarenaatmano yogam
vibhootim cha janaardana
bhooyah kathaya triptirhi
shrinvato naasti me’mritam ॥ 10.18 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Tell me again in detail, O Janardana, of Your power and glory; for I am never satisfied in hearing Your nectar-like words.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| विस्तरेण vistareṇa | in detail |
| आत्मनः ātmanaḥ | Your |
| योगम् yogam | power |
| विभूतिम् vibhūtim | glory |
| च ca | and |
| जनार्दन janārdana | O Janārdana |
| भूयः bhūyaḥ | again |
| कथय kathaya | tell |
| तृप्तिः tṛptiḥ | satisfaction |
| हि hi | for |
| शृण्वतः śṛṇvataḥ | in hearing |
| न na | not |
| अस्ति asti | is |
| मे me | my |
| अमृतम् amṛtam | nectar |
Word-wise Chanting
- vis–ta–re–ṇāt–ma–no yo–gaṃ 8 syllables vis-ta-re-naat-ma-no yo-gam
- vi–bhū–tiṃ ca ja–nār–da–na | 8 syllables vi-bhoo-tim cha ja-naar-da-na
- bhū–yaḥ ka–tha–ya tṛp–tir–hi 8 syllables bhoo-yah ka-tha-ya trip-tir-hi
- śṛṇ–va–to nās–ti me–‘mṛ–tam || 10-18 8 syllables shrin-va-to naas-ti me-‘mri-tam
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 18
Context
Arjuna completes his request (10.16–10.18).
Meaning
Arjuna asks for vistara, detail. He has heard of the Divine’s power before, but he wants more. Hearing about the Divine is like amṛta, nectar; it never satisfies completely, but always creates a desire for more.
This is the nature of spiritual delight. Unlike worldly pleasures that bring satiety, the joy of the Divine keeps growing.
In Practice
Return to a favourite verse or prayer today and notice how it continues to nourish you each time.
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.