The Divine is known fully only by the Divine
Arjuna speaks to Krishna
स्वयमेवात्मनात्मानं वेत्थ त्वं पुरुषोत्तम |भूतभावन भूतेश देवदेव जगत्पते ||१०-१५||
svayamevātmanātmānaṃ vettha tvaṃ puruṣottama . bhūtabhāvana bhūteśa devadeva jagatpate ||10-15||
Meaning
Shri Purohit Swami's 1935 translation, used throughout this site, condenses this passage and does not render this verse on its own. The word-by-word meanings and commentary below are our own.
Word-by-word meaning
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Explanation
Arjuna affirms a profound truth about self-knowledge of the Divine: 'You alone know Yourself, by Yourself' (svayam evātmanātmānaṃ vettha). The Supreme can be known fully only by the Supreme; no external instrument can measure that which is the measurer of all. This is why Arjuna turns directly to Krishna to learn the truth — only the source can reveal the source.
He then crowns his appeal with a garland of sacred names: Puruṣottama (Supreme Person), Bhūta-bhāvana (origin of all beings), Bhūteśa (Lord of beings), Deva-deva (God of gods), and Jagat-pate (Lord of the universe). Each name is a doorway of reverence. By naming the Lord thus, Arjuna both worships and prepares his heart to receive the great revelation of divine glories he is about to request.
In daily life
The Divine is known fully only by the Divine — so the sincere seeker turns to the Source itself for truth.
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What does ‘भूतभावन’ mean in this verse?
The Gita on praise, in other chapters
- Verse 11.21 · ArjunaBefore the Infinite, even gods and sages bow in praise — reverence is the wisest response to what surpasses us.
- Verse 7.9The same divine life glows in every creature and fuels every sincere effort — let that recognition deepen your reverence.
- Verse 9.11Do not judge the sacred by its outward appearance; the divine often comes clothed in the humble and ordinary.
- Verse 13.27Every living thing arises from the meeting of matter and consciousness — a shared sacred origin uniting all life.
Swipe left for 10.16 · Seeing divine presence needs guidance.
Questions about Bhagavad Gita 10.15
Who says Bhagavad Gita 10.15, and to whom?
Arjuna speaks to Krishna in verse 10.15, in Chapter 10, Vibhuti Yoga (Vibhuti Yoga).
What does Bhagavad Gita 10.15 mean?
The Divine is known fully only by the Divine — so the sincere seeker turns to the Source itself for truth.
What is the lesson of Bhagavad Gita 10.15 for daily life?
The Divine is known fully only by the Divine — so the sincere seeker turns to the Source itself for truth.
What do the Sanskrit words in Bhagavad Gita 10.15 mean?
स्वयम् एव — by Yourself alone; आत्मना आत्मानम् — the Self through the Self; वेत्थ त्वम् — You know; पुरुषोत्तम — O Supreme Person; भूतभावन — O source of all beings.
Where does verse 10.15 come in the Bhagavad Gita?
It is verse 15 of 42 in Chapter 10, Vibhuti Yoga. The next verse is 10.16.