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Bhagavad Gita 10.42

Chapter 10, Verse 42

Part of 10: Vibhūti Yogविभूतियोग

अथवा बहुनैतेन किं ज्ञातेन तवार्जुन। विष्टभ्याहमिदं कृत्स्नमेकांशेन स्थितो जगत्॥

Transliteration

atha vā bahunaitena kiṁ jñātena tavārjuna viṣhṭabhyāham idaṁ kṛitsnam ekānśhena sthito jagat

Meaning

But, of what avail is the knowledge of all these details to you, O Arjuna? I exist, supporting this whole world with one part of Myself.

Word-by-word meaning
athavāorbahunādetailedetenaby thiskimwhatjñātena tavacan be known by youarjunaArjunviṣhṭabhyapervade and supportahamIidamthiskṛitsnamentireekaby oneanśhenafractionsthitaḥam situatedjagatcreation
Commentary

The Lord concludes Having established or pervaded this whole world with one fragment of Myself? I remain. This verse is based on the declaration in the Purusha Sukta (RigVeda10.90.3) that One arter of Him is all the cosmos the three arters are the divine transcendent Reality. I exist supporting this whole world by one part, by one limit, or by one foot. One part of Myself constitutes all beings. All beings form His foot (Taittiriya Aranyaka 3.12). The whole world is one Pada or foot of the Lord. Amsa (part) or Pada (foot) is mere Kalpana or imagination or account of our own ignorance,or limiting adjunct. In reality Brahman is without any such parts or limbs and is formless. Arjuna has now a knowledge of the glories of the Lord. He is fit to behold the magnificent cosmic form of the Lord. Lord Krishna prepares Arjuna for this grand vision by giving him a description of His glories. Arjuna says O Lord? I now realise that the whole world is filled by Thee. I now wish to behold the whole universe in Thee with my eye of intuition. Thus in the Upanishads of the glorious Bhagavad Gita, the science of the Eternal, the scripture of Yoga, the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, ends the tenth discourse entitledThe Yoga of the Divine Glories.,

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10, Verse 42?
But, of what avail is the knowledge of all these details to you, O Arjuna? I exist, supporting this whole world with one part of Myself.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 42 of Chapter 10 (Vibhūti Yog — Yoga through Appreciating the Infinite Opulences of God) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.