In Bhagavad Gita 10.2, Krishna says neither the hosts of gods nor the great sages know his origin, for he is the source of the gods and the great sages in every way.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
न मे विदुः सुरगणाः
प्रभवं न महर्षयः
अहमादिर्हि देवानां
महर्षीणां च सर्वशः ॥ १०-२ ॥
na me viduḥ suragaṇāḥ
prabhavaṃ na maharṣayaḥ
ahamādirhi devānāṃ
maharṣīṇāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ
English transliteration na me viduh suraganaah
prabhavam na maharshayah
ahamaadirhi devaanaam
maharsheenaam cha sarvashah ॥ 10.2 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Neither the hosts of gods nor the great sages know My origin, for in every way I am the source of the gods and of the great sages.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| न na | not |
| मे me | My |
| विदुः viduḥ | know |
| सुरगणाः suragaṇāḥ | the hosts of gods sura (gods) + gaṇāḥ (hosts) |
| प्रभवम् prabhavam | origin |
| न na | not |
| महर्षयः maharṣayaḥ | the great sages mahā (great) + ṛṣayaḥ (sages) |
| अहम् aham | I |
| आदिः ādiḥ | source |
| हि hi | for |
| देवानाम् devānām | of the gods |
| महर्षीणाम् maharṣīṇām | of the great sages |
| च ca | and |
| सर्वशः sarvaśaḥ | in every way |
Word-wise Chanting
- na me vi–duḥ su–ra–ga–ṇāḥ 8 syllables na me vi-duh su-ra-ga-naah
- pra–bha–vaṃ na ma–har–ṣa–yaḥ | 8 syllables pra-bha-vam na ma-har-sha-yah
- a–ha–mā–dir–hi de–vā–nāṃ 8 syllables a-ha-maa-dir-hi de-vaa-naam
- ma–har–ṣī–ṇāṃ ca sar–va–śaḥ || 10-2 8 syllables ma-har-shee-naam cha sar-va-shah
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 2
Context
Krishna begins the chapter by declaring that he is the source of all (10.2–10.3).
Meaning
The gods and the great sages are the most exalted of beings, yet even they do not know the Divine’s prabhava, its origin. How could they? The Divine is their ādi, their source. The created cannot fully comprehend its creator.
This verse inspires humility. Even the greatest minds cannot fully grasp the Divine. It can be known only as it reveals itself, which is what Krishna now begins to do.
In Practice
Hold your understanding of the Divine lightly today, with humility and wonder.
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.