In Bhagavad Gita 10.42, the last verse of Chapter 10, Krishna says there is no need for all this detailed knowledge; he stands supporting this entire universe with a single fragment of himself.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अथवा बहुनैतेन
किं ज्ञातेन तवार्जुन
विष्टभ्याहमिदं कृत्स्नम्
एकांशेन स्थितो जगत् ॥ १०-४२ ॥
athavā bahunaitena
kiṃ jñātena tavārjuna
viṣṭabhyāhamidaṃ kṛtsnam
ekāṃśena sthito jagat
English transliteration athavaa bahunaitena
kim jnaatena tavaarjuna
vishtabhyaahamidam kritsnam
ekaamshena sthito jagat ॥ 10.42 ॥
Translation / Meaning
But what need is there for you to know all this in detail, O Arjuna? I stand, supporting this entire universe with a single fragment of Myself.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अथवा athavā | but |
| बहुना bahunā | much |
| एतेन etena | this |
| किम् kim | what need |
| ज्ञातेन jñātena | to be known |
| तव tava | for you |
| अर्जुन arjuna | O Arjuna |
| विष्टभ्य viṣṭabhya | supporting |
| अहम् aham | I |
| इदम् idam | this |
| कृत्स्नम् kṛtsnam | entire |
| एकांशेन ekāṃśena | with a single fragment eka (single) + aṃśena (fragment) |
| स्थितः sthitaḥ | stand |
| जगत् jagat | universe |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–tha–vā ba–hu–nai–te–na 8 syllables a-tha-vaa ba-hu-nai-te-na
- kiṃ jñā–te–na ta–vār–ju–na | 8 syllables kim jnaa-te-na ta-vaar-ju-na
- viṣ–ṭabh–yā–ha–mi–daṃ kṛt–snam– 8 syllables vish-tabh-yaa-ha-mi-dam krit-snam-
- e–kāṃ–śe–na sthi–to ja–gat || 10-42 8 syllables e-kaam-she-na sthi-to ja-gat
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 42
Context
The final verse of Chapter 10 prepares for the universal vision of Chapter 11.
Meaning
After all the details, Krishna sums up: the whole universe is upheld by eka-aṃśa, a single fraction of the Divine. The Divine is infinitely greater than all the worlds put together. This statement leads directly to Arjuna’s request in Chapter 11 to see that cosmic form.
The vastness of the universe is a tiny part of the Divine. This puts all our concerns in perspective and opens us to the infinite.
In Practice
Look at the night sky if you can, and reflect that all of it rests on a fragment of the Divine.
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.