In Bhagavad Gita 10.35, Krishna says that among hymns he is the Brihat Saman, among metres the Gayatri, among months Margashirsha, and among seasons the flowering spring.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
बृहत्साम तथा साम्नां
गायत्री छन्दसामहम्
मासानां मार्गशीर्षोऽहम्
ऋतूनां कुसुमाकरः ॥ १०-३५ ॥
bṛhatsāma tathā sāmnāṃ
gāyatrī chandasāmaham
māsānāṃ mārgaśīrṣo’ham
ṛtūnāṃ kusumākaraḥ
English transliteration brihatsaama tathaa saamnaam
gaayatree chhandasaamaham
maasaanaam maargasheersho’ham
ritoonaam kusumaakarah ॥ 10.35 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Among the Sama hymns I am the Brihat Saman; among metres I am the Gayatri; among months I am Margashirsha; and among seasons I am the flowering spring.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| बृहत्साम bṛhatsāma | the Bṛhat Sāman |
| तथा tathā | also |
| साम्नाम् sāmnām | among the Sāma hymns |
| गायत्री gāyatrī | the Gāyatrī |
| छन्दसाम् chandasām | among metres |
| अहम् aham | I |
| मासानाम् māsānām | among months |
| मार्गशीर्षः mārgaśīrṣaḥ | Mārgaśīrṣa |
| अहम् aham | I |
| ऋतूनाम् ṛtūnām | among seasons |
| कुसुमाकरः kusumākaraḥ | the flowering spring kusuma (flowers) + ākaraḥ (abundance) |
Word-wise Chanting
- bṛ–hat–sā–ma ta–thā sām–nāṃ 8 syllables bri-hat-saa-ma ta-thaa saam-naam
- gā–yat–rī chan–da–sā–ma–ham | 8 syllables gaa-yat-ree chhan-da-saa-ma-ham
- mā–sā–nāṃ mār–ga–śīr–ṣo–‘ham– 8 syllables maa-saa-naam maar-ga-sheer-sho-‘ham-
- ṛ–tū–nāṃ ku–su–mā–ka–raḥ || 10-35 8 syllables ri-too-naam ku-su-maa-ka-rah
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 35
Context
Krishna continues naming his glories (10.21–10.38).
Meaning
The Bṛhat Sāman is a celebrated Vedic chant; the Gāyatrī is the most sacred metre, used in the Gāyatrī mantra; Mārgaśīrṣa, falling in November–December, was regarded as an excellent month; and kusumākara, spring full of flowers, is the most beautiful of seasons.
The Divine is present in sacred sound and in the beauty of nature’s seasons. Spring’s renewal is a reminder of the Divine’s ever-fresh creativity.
In Practice
Notice something blossoming or renewing in nature or in your life today, and see the Divine in it.
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.