Seeing divine presence needs guidance.
Arjuna speaks to Krishna
वक्तुमर्हस्यशेषेण दिव्या ह्यात्मविभूतयः |याभिर्विभूतिभिर्लोकानिमांस्त्वं व्याप्य तिष्ठसि ||१०-१६||
vaktumarhasyaśeṣeṇa divyā hyātmavibhūtayaḥ . yābhirvibhūtibhirlokānimāṃstvaṃ vyāpya tiṣṭhasi ||10-16||
Use this verse to start a divine-recognition journey.
Meaning
Please describe fully Your divine manifestations by which You pervade these worlds.
Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).
In plain words
Arjuna asks Krishna to reveal His divine manifestations.
Word-by-word meaning
Tap a word to see its meaning.
Explanation
Arjuna wants to know how to recognize Krishna in the world.
Read the traditional commentary
Now Arjuna makes his great request — the one that opens the magnificent catalogue of divine glories filling the rest of the chapter. 'Tell me, without reserve (aśeṣeṇa), of Your divine vibhūtis — the glories by which You pervade and sustain all the worlds.'
The word vibhūti means a special, conspicuous manifestation of divine power and splendour. Arjuna senses that the Infinite, though formless and beyond grasp, shows itself in the most excellent things of creation. He longs to learn where, concretely, he might behold the Lord's presence.
This is the prayer of every devotee who wishes to see God not only in abstract truth but in the living textures of the world — a yearning Krishna is about to satisfy in glorious detail.
In daily life
Ask where Krishna is visible in your daily life.
A person can learn to see Krishna in sunlight, courage, wisdom, and compassion.
Try this today
List three places where divine presence may be visible today.
I seek to recognize Krishna everywhere.Reflect
Where do I want to recognize Krishna more clearly?
Private — only you can see this
Quick check
What does ‘अशेषेण’ mean in this verse?
The Gita on longing, in other chapters
- Verse 11.3 · ArjunaFaith that is genuine is not afraid to ask for direct experience of the truth it already trusts.
- Verse 7.16Whatever motive first turns you toward the Divine — pain, curiosity, or need — is a valid and welcomed beginning.
- Verse 6.37 · ArjunaEven sincere seekers fear that falling short means losing everything — but it is worth asking what truly becomes of incomplete effort.
- Verse 2.28Expand your vision to include the unmanifest dimension of existence, and attachment to temporary forms will naturally loosen.
Swipe left for 10.17 · Meditation needs practical anchors.
Questions about Bhagavad Gita 10.16
Who says Bhagavad Gita 10.16, and to whom?
Arjuna speaks to Krishna in verse 10.16, in Chapter 10, Vibhuti Yoga (Vibhuti Yoga).
What does Bhagavad Gita 10.16 mean?
Please describe fully Your divine manifestations by which You pervade these worlds. (Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).)
What is the lesson of Bhagavad Gita 10.16 for daily life?
Ask where Krishna is visible in your daily life. A person can learn to see Krishna in sunlight, courage, wisdom, and compassion.
What do the Sanskrit words in Bhagavad Gita 10.16 mean?
वक्तुम् अर्हसि — You should indeed tell; अशेषेण — without reserve / completely; दिव्याः हि — indeed divine; आत्मविभूतयः — Your own glories / manifestations; याभिः विभूतिभिः — by which glories.
Where does verse 10.16 come in the Bhagavad Gita?
It is verse 16 of 42 in Chapter 10, Vibhuti Yoga. The next verse is 10.17.