Home/ English/ English Translation/ Chapter 10/ Verse 10

Bhagavad Gita 10.10

Vibhuti Yoga · English Translation

Bhagavad Gita 10.10 — "To them who are ever steadfast, worshipping Me with love, I give the Yoga of discrimination by which"
Bhagavad Gita 10.10 — Vibhuti Yoga
To them who are ever steadfast, worshipping Me with love, I give the Yoga of discrimination by which they come to Me.
Sanskrit

तेषां सततयुक्तानां भजतां प्रीतिपूर्वकम् | ददामि बुद्धियोगं तं येन मामुपयान्ति ते ||१०-१०||

Transliteration

teṣāṃ satatayuktānāṃ bhajatāṃ prītipūrvakam . dadāmi buddhiyogaṃ taṃ yena māmupayānti te ||10-10||

What Does This Verse Mean?

In this verse, Lord Krishna speaks to Arjuna about the secret of spiritual progress. He promises that for those who are constantly devoted and worship Him with deep love, He personally grants them special wisdom. This divine intelligence is not just intellectual knowledge but a practical tool that guides devotees back to their true home in God.

The Teaching Behind It

This verse synthesizes Bhakti Yoga (devotion) with Jnana Yoga (wisdom), illustrating that true knowledge is a gift from the Divine to the devoted. It teaches that 'buddhi yoga' or divine discrimination is not merely an intellectual exercise but a grace bestowed upon those who are steadfast in love.

Word by Word
तेषाम् to them, सततयुक्तानाम् ever steadfast, भजताम् (of the) worshipping, प्रीतिपूर्वकम् with love, ददामि (I) give, बुद्धियोगम् Yoga of discrimination, तम् that, येन by which, माम् to Me, उपयान्ति come, ते they
Classical Commentary
The devotees who have dedicated themselves to the Lord, who are ever harmonious and selfabiding, who are ever devout and who adore Him with intense love (not for attaining any selfish purpose), obtain the divine grace. The Lord gives them wisdom or the Yoga of discrimination or understanding by which they attain the knowledge of the Self. The Lord bestows on these devotees who have fixed their thoughts on Him alone, devotion of right knowledge. (Buddhi Yoga) by which they know Him in essence. They know through the eye of intuition in deep meditaion the Supreme Lord, the One in all, the Self of all, as their own Self, destitue of all limitations. Buddhi here is the inner eye of intuition by which the magnificent experience of oneness is had. Buddhi Yoga is Jnana Yoga. (Cf. IV.39XII.6and7)Why does the Lord impart this Yoga of knowledge to His devotees What obstacles does the Buddhi Yoga remove on the path of the aspirant or devotee The Lord gives the answer in the following verse.

Where This Happens

This verse occurs in Chapter 10 of the Bhagavad Gita during the intense conversation on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Lord Krishna has just finished describing His various divine manifestations (Vibhuti) and is now answering Arjuna's question about how one can truly know Him. At this moment, Arjuna is overwhelmed by reverence but still feels a sense of longing to understand the path that leads directly back to the Divine.

Living It Out Today

Consider a professional facing an impossible deadline where logic alone has failed and panic is setting in. Instead of forcing a solution or giving up, they pause to reconnect with their core values or faith through a moment of mindful gratitude for their work. In this state of steady devotion and calm focus, the mind often suddenly receives a clear, intuitive insight—a 'buddhi yoga'—that reveals a creative path forward which pure analysis had missed.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a super loyal friend who loves playing games with you every single day; eventually, your friend becomes so good at the game rules and strategy that they can help you win any challenge. Krishna says He is like that ultimate best friend for anyone who worships Him with pure love all the time. When we stay close to God through prayer and kind actions, He gives us a special 'super-smart' heart inside us that knows exactly what to do.

Daily Reflection

You are not alone in your journey; Krishna promises to meet you exactly where you stand when your love is sincere and unwavering. The 'Yoga of discrimination' He offers isn't just intellectual knowledge, but a deep inner clarity that guides your steps home through the fog of daily life. Trust that every time you turn toward Him with an open heart, He actively grants you the wisdom to navigate your path.

A Practice for Today

Sit quietly and recall three moments today when your attention was fully anchored on the Divine without distraction, no matter how small the act. Visualize that state of steady devotion as a warm light expanding in your heart, inviting you to surrender all results to this higher intelligence.

Key Teachings

  1. The Power of Steadfastness (Satata-yuktānām)
    Divine grace flows most freely to those who maintain a constant, unbroken connection with God through their actions and thoughts. This consistency transforms sporadic effort into a living relationship where the seeker becomes naturally attuned to the Divine will.
  2. Worship Driven by Love (Prīti-pūrvakam)
    Rituals performed with genuine affection and emotional devotion hold far more power than mechanical obedience. When worship is fueled by love, it purifies the heart, making it a worthy vessel for receiving higher spiritual truths.
  3. Divine赐予 of Discrimination (Buddhi-yoga)
    God grants 'intellectual yoga' or supreme discrimination not as an end in itself, but as the essential tool to realize and reach Him. This divine wisdom allows the devotee to distinguish between the temporary material world and their eternal spiritual identity.

Themes

Divine GraceSteadfast DevotionSpiritual WisdomIntuitive GuidanceThe Path to GodLoving Service

Related Verses

2.473.306.59.1818.66

Read This Next

  1. 2.47 — To understand how performing duty without attachment is the foundation for the steadfastness mentioned in this verse.
  2. 3.30 — To see the practical application of offering all actions to God, which cultivates the devotion Krishna speaks of here.
  3. 12.15 — To learn how a devotee who is free from envy and kind to others embodies the 'prīti' or love that invites divine grace.

Recommended Reading

Devotional Study Bhagavad Gita commentary with devotion → Classic Translation Swami Prabhupada Bhagavad Gita As It Is → Philosophical Depth Sri Aurobindo Synthesis of Yoga Vedanta →

GitaQ earns from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate.

Share This Verse

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is 'Buddhi Yoga' mentioned in this verse?
Buddhi Yoga refers to divine intelligence or discrimination that allows a person to distinguish between what is real and temporary. It is not just book learning, but an inner clarity granted by God that guides actions toward the ultimate truth.
Why does Krishna say He gives this wisdom personally?
Krishna emphasizes personal involvement to show that spiritual growth is a relationship-based process rather than just following rules. It highlights that when a devotee offers love, God reciprocates with the specific help needed for their unique journey.
Does this verse mean only people who pray get wisdom?
It means that steady devotion combined with loving service creates the perfect condition for divine intelligence to arise. While everyone has intellect, this verse suggests that a heart fixed in love unlocks higher spiritual insight that pure calculation cannot achieve.
How can someone practice being 'ever steadfast' (satatayuktanam) today?
Being ever steadfast means maintaining a continuous connection with the Divine through small, consistent acts of gratitude and awareness throughout the day. It involves keeping one's mind focused on higher values even when distracted by daily challenges.
In Other Languages: Bhagavad Gita 10.10 →