THE HOLY GITA--CHAPTER 10, VERSE 02, VIBHUTI YOGA OR THE YOGA OF THE DIVINE MANIFESTATIONS

THE HOLY GITA

CHAPTER NUMBER 10

VIBHUTI YOGA OR THE YOGA OF THE DIVINE MANIFESTATIONS:

VERSE NUMBER 02

Text in Transliteration:

na me viduh: suraganaah: prabhavam na maharshayah

aham aadir hi devaanaam maharsheenaam cha sarvasah:

Sanskrit words and phrases and their meaning:

na = not; me = my; viduh: = know; suraganaah: = the hosts of Devas; prabhavam = origin; na = not; maharshayah: = the great Rishis; aham = I; aadih: = the beginning; hi = for; devaanaam = of the Devas; maharsheenaam = of the great Rishis; cha = and; sarvsah: = in every way.

Text in English:

Neither the hosts of Devas nor the great Rishis know My origin; for in every respect I am the source of the Devas and the great Rishis.

COMMENTARY BY SRIMAT SWAMI CHIDBHAVANANDA:

The birth of the son and his progress in life is known to the father, but the birth and boyhood of the father ever remains beyond the ken of the son. Analogously Brahman is the Source and Witness of the universe that comes from Him and merges into Him. This Eternal Brahman is to some extent cognized by the perfected beings like the great Rishis. But His glory in its entirety can never be known by the hosts of saints and sages. He only remains partially revealed even when He embodies as an Incarnation like Rama or Krishna.

SRI RAMAKRISHNA AS QUOTED BY SRIMAT SWAMI CHIDBHAVANANDA:

The divine breeze blowing from the ocean of Sat-cit-ananda Brahman transports people into ecstasy. Sanaka, Sanantana and other ancient Rishis got themselves perfected by the divine breeze. A mere glimpse of this ocean sent Narada into raptures. Suka the born Brahma-Jnani touched this water but once and got himself filled with Brahmavastha and wandered the world as a divine lad. Siva the Cosmic Teacher took only three sips from this Great Ocean and became dazed with transcendental Bliss. Indeed, who can measure the depth or the characteristics of the Infinite Ocean of Brahman.

COMMENTARY BY DR.S.RADHAKRISHNAN:

sarvasah: in every way: sarvaprakaaraih. Shankara.

The Supreme is the unborn eternal and He is also the lord of the world. Though He has no birth, all existences derive from Him. The Teacher announces that He is in truth the Eternal God Himself, more ancient than all else and that all manifested glory is from Him.   

COMMENTARY BY SRIMAT SWAMI SIVANANDA:

Prabhavam: Origin. It may also mean great lordly power.

Maharshis: great sages like Brigu.

As I am the source of all these gods, sages and living beings, it is very difficult for them to know Me.

Sarvasah: In every way—not only am I the source of all the gods and the sages but also their efficient cause, their inner ruler and the dispenser or ordainer and the guide of their intellect, etc.