Bhagavad Gita 10.7

Vibhuti Yoga · English Translation

He who in truth knows these manifold manifestations of My Being and (this) Yoga-power of Mine becomes established in the unshakable Yoga; there is no doubt about it.

Sanskrit

एतां विभूतिं योगं च मम यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः | सोऽविकम्पेन योगेन युज्यते नात्र संशयः ||१०-७||

Transliteration

etāṃ vibhūtiṃ yogaṃ ca mama yo vetti tattvataḥ . so.avikampena yogena yujyate nātra saṃśayaḥ ||10-7||

What Does This Verse Mean?

In this verse, Lord Krishna speaks to Arjuna about the power of true understanding rather than just intellectual knowledge. He states that anyone who genuinely realizes these divine manifestations and their underlying spiritual connection becomes firmly established in an unshakeable practice of yoga (union with the Divine). The key teaching is that deep, authentic realization naturally leads to unwavering stability in one's spiritual life, leaving no room for doubt.

The Teaching Behind It

This verse bridges the concepts of Jnana Yoga (the yoga of knowledge) and Bhakti Yoga (devotion), emphasizing that true intellectual realization ('tattvataḥ') is the gateway to unshakable devotion. It develops the Vedantic concept that knowing the essence of reality dissolves doubt, leading naturally to 'sthitaprajna' or a state of steady wisdom.

Word by Word

एताम् this, विभूतिम् (manifold) manifestation of My Being?

Classical Commentary

Knowledge of the glory of the Lord is really conducive to Yoga. He who knows in essence the immanent pervading power of the Lord by which He causes the manifestations, and His diverse manifestations (Vibhutis), unites with Him in firm unalterable Yoga and attains eternal bliss and perfect harmony. From the ant to the Creator there is nothing except the Lord. He who knows in reality this extensive manifestation of the Lord and His Yoga (Yoga here stands for what is born of Yoga, viz., infinite Yogic powers as well as omniscience), is endowed with firm unwavering Yoga. He lives in the Eternal and is endowed with the highest knowledge of the Self. He who has realised this Truth is free from the superiority and inferiority complexes. There i real awakening of wisdom in him. He will behold the Lord in all beings and all beings in the Lord. He will never hate any creature on this earth. This is a rare living cosmic experience. The Yogi realises that the Lord and His manifestations are one. He attains the supreme goal and is absorbed in Him through his wholehearted devotion. He is perfectly aware of his oneness with the Supreme by My divine Yoga. He can keep his balance of mind now in whatever environments and circumstances he is placed and can do any action without losing his consciousness of oneness or identity with the Supreme Self. (Cf. VII.25IX.5XI.8)What is that unshaken Yoga with which they are endowedThe answer follows.

Where This Happens

This verse occurs in Chapter 10 of the Bhagavad Gita during the Kurukshetra war, where Krishna is explaining his 'Vibhuti' (divine glories) to a confused and hesitant Arjuna. After describing how he pervades all elements—from the sun's heat to the silence of snow—Krishna summarizes this entire teaching with this promise. At this moment, Arjuna has just received a dazzling display of Krishna's universal form or his infinite nature, leaving him in awe but seeking clarity on how to apply it.

Living It Out Today

When facing a high-stakes work project where everything seems uncertain and the pressure is overwhelming, you can recall that your true strength comes from understanding your deeper purpose rather than just the outcome. By anchoring yourself in this unshakeable perspective of being part of something larger, anxiety melts away and you act with clarity instead of fear. This shift transforms a chaotic situation into an opportunity for focused action, ensuring you remain steady regardless of external results.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a super-close friend who can make their voice heard everywhere at once—on your phone, on the TV, and even when they whisper. Krishna is saying that if you truly understand how this amazing power works inside every person and everything around us, it's like finding a special key to stay calm no matter what happens. When you know this secret connection really well, nothing can make you lose your cool or feel lost anymore.

Daily Reflection

Today, consider how often you view the world around you as fragmented and separate from your spiritual life. When you truly understand that every manifestation of beauty and power is simply Krishna's own energy in motion, your practice transforms into a steady, unwavering yoga. This knowledge removes all doubt because it anchors you in reality rather than illusion.

A Practice for Today

Sit quietly and visualize the vastness of creation not as separate from you, but as a vibrant expression of your own inner Divine Self. Rest in this truth that knowing these glories is not an intellectual exercise, but a deepening of connection to the unshakable foundation of existence.

Key Teachings

Tattvatah - Knowing the Truth
True understanding requires looking beyond the superficial appearance of divine forms to grasp their essential nature as non-different from God. It is a shift from seeing 'manifestations' to recognizing the single source that animates them all.
Unshakable Yoga
The result of this knowledge is not merely intellectual satisfaction, but an established state of spiritual stability called 'unshakeable yoga.' This implies a freedom from doubt and fear because the seeker realizes they are supported by infinite power.
Yoga as Connection
In this context, Yoga refers to both the divine power that sustains creation and the personal practice of uniting with that source. The verse promises that recognizing these glories is the very act of binding oneself eternally to the Divine.

Themes

divine manifestationunshakable faithknowledge of truthspiritual stabilitydevotion and yogaovercoming doubt

Related Verses

2.47 3.30 4.18 6.5 18.66

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the phrase 'tattvataḥ' mean in this verse?

'Tattvataḥ' translates to 'in truth,' 'essentially,' or 'categorically.' It implies that mere intellectual acknowledgment is insufficient; one must have a deep, experiential realization of the divine nature behind all manifestations. This depth of understanding is what triggers the transformation described in the verse.

How does knowing God's glories lead to an unshakable yoga?

This verse is often interpreted as the conclusion or summary of Chapter 10. It serves as the bridge between Krishna's list of divine manifestations and the subsequent instructions on how to practice devotion. By confirming that knowledge leads to stability, it encourages Arjuna (and the reader) to trust in the process of spiritual realization.

What is the 'Yoga-power' mentioned in this verse?

The Yoga referred to here is not just physical exercise but the power of union and connection with the Divine. It represents a state where the individual soul aligns perfectly with the Supreme, resulting in an unshakeable focus and inner peace that cannot be shaken by worldly doubts or challenges.

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