Chapter 10, Verse 17
कथं विद्यामहं योगिंस्त्वां सदा परिचिन्तयन् | केषु केषु च भावेषु चिन्त्योऽसि भगवन्मया ||१०-१७||
kathaṃ vidyāmahaṃ yogiṃstvāṃ sadā paricintayan . keṣu keṣu ca bhāveṣu cintyo.asi bhagavanmayā ||10-17||
Meaning
10.17 How shall I, ever meditating, know Thee, O Yogin? In what aspects or things, O blessed Lord, art Thou to be thought of by me?
Word-by-Word Meaning
Explanation & Commentary
Arjuna's question is intensely practical, the question of a true aspirant: 'How shall I know You, ever meditating upon You? In which forms and aspects (bhāveṣu) am I to think of You?' He does not want only philosophy; he wants a method of practice — a way to keep his mind fixed on the Divine throughout daily life.
This reveals the genuine seeker's instinct. Knowing that God pervades all things is not yet enough; the restless mind needs definite supports for contemplation. Where shall it rest its attention? By asking for specific 'aspects' on which to meditate, Arjuna invites Krishna to give the soul concrete handholds for the climb toward the Infinite — supports through which the formless can be approached step by step.
💡 Key Takeaway
The mind needs concrete supports to fix itself on the Divine — so ask, with Arjuna, where to rest your attention.
Related Verses
श्रीभगवानुवाच | भूय एव महाबाहो शृणु मे परमं वचः | यत्तेऽहं प्रीयमाणाय वक्ष्यामि हितकाम्यया ||१०-१||
śrībhagavānuvāca . bhūya eva mahābāho śṛṇu me paramaṃ vacaḥ . yatte.ahaṃ prīyamāṇāya vakṣyāmi hitakāmyayā ||10-1||
10.1 The Blessed Lord said Again, O mighty-armed Arjuna, listen to my supreme word which I will declare to thee who who art beloved, for thy welfare.
अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो मत्तः सर्वं प्रवर्तते | इति मत्वा भजन्ते मां बुधा भावसमन्विताः ||१०-८||
ahaṃ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṃ pravartate . iti matvā bhajante māṃ budhā bhāvasamanvitāḥ ||10-8||
10.8 I am the source of all; from Me everything evolves; understanding thus, the wise, endowed with meditation, worship Me.
मच्चित्ता मद्गतप्राणा बोधयन्तः परस्परम् | कथयन्तश्च मां नित्यं तुष्यन्ति च रमन्ति च ||१०-९||
maccittā madgataprāṇā bodhayantaḥ parasparam . kathayantaśca māṃ nityaṃ tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca ||10-9||
10.9 With their mind and their life wholly absorbed in Me, enlightening each other and ever speaking of Me, they are satisfied and delighted.