Chapter X

Krishna invites Arjuna to listen to his words, which bring bliss and peace to those devoted to him. This establishes the framework for the revelation to follow.

Krishna asserts that even gods and sages do not know his true nature because he is their creator, predating them all. Only those with faith-enlightened eyes can perceive him truly.

Krishna claims to be unborn, undying, and unbegun, and declares that all qualities and dispositions in mortal beings—intellect, endurance, truthfulness, and all emotional states—originate from him.

Krishna claims to have created the Seven Chief Saints, the Elders Four, the Manus, and all Rishis who govern the worlds, and through them, all humanity arose.

Krishna teaches that understanding his mystical majesty and being the source of all creation leads to faultless faith and union with him.

Krishna describes how the wise cleave to him with fixed hearts, constant breath, and mutual praise, achieving happiness and peace through devotion.

Krishna promises that to those who serve and love him constantly, he grants a perfect mind that draws them to him, and he dwells within their souls to dispel ignorance.

Arjuna affirms Krishna as Parabrahm, eternal, all-creating, and holy, and confirms that the great saints agree on his divinity as proclaimed by Krishna himself.

Arjuna declares that gods, men, and demons cannot comprehend Krishna's mystery, and that only Krishna himself knows his true nature.

Arjuna asks Krishna to recount his divine perfections and manifestations in complete detail, expressing insatiable desire for such knowledge.

Krishna agrees to unfold some portions of his infinite majesty and its manifold powers to Arjuna.

Krishna establishes himself as the Spirit seated in every creature's heart, as the source from which all beings come and live, and upon whose word they depart.

Krishna identifies himself with principal deities: Vishnu among the Adityas, Maritchi among the Maruts, the Sun by day, and the Moon by night among the stars.

Krishna identifies himself with the Sama-Veda among scriptures, Vasava among gods, mind among faculties, and OM among sacred utterances.

Krishna identifies himself with the Himalayas among mountains, the Aswattha fig-tree among all trees, and various natural landmarks and phenomena.

Krishna claims to be Narada among the Devarshis, Chitrarath among heavenly singers, Kapila among Munis, and Uchchaisravas among flying steeds.

Krishna identifies himself with Airavata the elephant, the thunderbolt among weapons, Kamadhuk the cow among cattle, and various serpents and animals.

Krishna identifies himself with Varuna among water-things, Aryam among Pitris, Yama the judge, Time itself, and various abstract virtues and principles.

Krishna identifies himself with the tiger among woodland beasts, Garuda among birds, the whirlwind among winds, and Rama among warriors.

Krishna claims to be the first and last, the center of all that is or seems, wisdom supreme, and the speech and sight underlying all expression and perception.

Krishna identifies himself with the letter 'A' in written characters, the Dwandwa in compound speech, and words upon the lips.

Krishna claims to be endless life and boundless love that sustains all, as well as bitter death that seizes all and the joyous birth that brings beings into existence.

Krishna identifies himself with Fame, Fortune, Song, Memory, Patience, and Craft among the viewless virtues.

Krishna identifies himself with the Vrihatsam among Vedic hymns, Gayatri among metres, the month of Margasirsha, and Spring among seasons.

Krishna claims to be victory and action, the goodness of the good, Vasudev of the Vrishni race, and Arjuna himself.

Krishna identifies himself with Usana among poets, Vyasa among saints, and embodies the policy of conquerors and potency of kings.

Krishna asserts that no being, living or lifeless, exists without him, and that wherever wondrous work, majesty, and might appear, all have proceeded from him.

Krishna concludes that his glories are boundless and cannot be fully enumerated, yet he alone is the lord of all that he has made, maintaining paradoxical transcendence while pervading everything.