Bhagavad Gita by Stephen Mitchell

Author:Stephen Mitchell [Mitchell Stephen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-41989-7
Publisher: Potter/TenSpeed/Harmony
Published: 2000-06-28T16:00:00+00:00

[10.1–3]

Chapter 10

DIVINE MANIFESTATIONS

THE BLESSED LORD SAID:

Listen further, Arjuna,

to these words that delight your heart;

this is my utmost teaching,

which I tell you for your greatest good.

Neither the myriad gods

nor any of the sages know

my origin; I am the source

from which gods and sages emerge.

Whoever knows me as the Unborn,

the Beginningless, the great Lord

of all worlds—he alone sees

truly and is freed from all harm.

[10.4–8]

Understanding and wisdom,

patience, truth, peace of mind,

pleasure and pain, being

and nonbeing, fear and courage,

nonviolence, equanimity,

control, benevolence, fame,

dishonor—all these conditions

come forth from me alone.

The seven primeval sages,

the four progenitors from whom

all human beings descend

arose from my own depths, mind-born.

He who can understand

the glory of my manifestations

is forever united with me

by his unwavering love.

I am the source of all things,

and all things emerge from me;

knowing this, wise men worship

by entering my state of being.

[10.9–12]

Thinking and speaking of me,

enlightening one another,

their lives surrendered to my care,

they are always serene and joyous.

To those who are steadfast, who love me

with true devotion, I give

the yoga of understanding,

which will bring them to where I am.

Acting with deep compassion

from within my own being, I dispel

all ignorance-born darkness

with wisdom’s resplendent light.

ARJUNA SAID:

You, Lord, are the supreme

freedom, the supreme abode,

the eternal Person, the primordial

god, all-pervading, birthless.

[10.13–17]

This is how the great sages

describe you—the divine Narada,

Asita, Devala, and Vyasa—

and now you yourself confirm it.

Everything you have told me,

Krishna, I believe is true;

neither the gods nor the demons

can grasp your infinite forms.

You alone know yourself

through yourself, Lord of all beings,

cause and origin, master

of the universe, God of gods.

Tell me now, in detail,

the divine self-manifestations

by which you pervade these worlds

and grace them with so much splendor.

How can I know you, Krishna?

Which of your many forms

should I visualize, Lord of Yoga,

as I focus my thoughts on you?

[10.18–21]

Give me some further examples

of your glorious manifestations;

for I never can tire of hearing

your life-giving, honey-sweet words.

THE BLESSED LORD SAID:

All right, Arjuna: I will tell you

a few of my manifestations,

the most glorious ones; for infinite

are the forms in which I appear.

I am the Self, Arjuna,

seated in the heart of all beings;

I am the beginning and the life span

of beings, and their end as well.

Of the sky gods, I am Vishnu;

of the heavenly lights, the sun;

Marichi, chief of the wind gods;

among stars, I am the moon;

[10.22–26]

of the Vedas, I am the hymns;

Indra among the gods;

the mind among the six senses;

the consciousness of all beings;

of the storm gods, I am Shiva;

of the demigods, Kubera;

Agni among the bright gods;

and Meru, highest of mountains.

Know, Arjuna, that among

priests I am Brihaspati;

of generals, the war god Skanda;

of waters, I am the ocean;

of the great seers, I am Bhrigu;

of words, the syllable Ôm;

of worship, I am the mantra;

of mountain chains, Himalaya;

of trees, the sacred fig tree;

of divine sages, Narada;

of the high celestial musicians,

Chitraratha; of saints,

[10.27–30]

the wise Kapila; of horses,

Ucchaishravas, Indra’s

favorite, born of the sea foam;

of elephants, Indra’s winged

Airavata; of men,

I am the king; of weapons,

Indra’s thunderbolt; of cows,

Kamadhuk, the wish-granter;

Kandarpa, the god of love;

the king of reptiles, Vasuki;

of divine snakes, I am Ananta,

the cosmic serpent; Varuna

among the gods of the ocean;

of the blessed forefathers,

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