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Chapter 10 · The Opulence of the Absolute · 42 verses

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Krishna’s natureChapter 10 · The Opulence of the Absolute
10.3010.32

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 10.31

Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestations

पवन: पवतामस्मि राम: शस्त्रभृतामहम् ।

झषाणां मकरश्चास्मि स्रोतसामस्मि जाह्नवी ॥ ३१ ॥

pavanaḥ pavatām asmi

rāmaḥ śastra-bhṛtām aham

jhaṣāṇāṁ makaraś cāsmi

srotasām asmi jāhnavī

Translation

Of purifiers I am the wind, of the wielders of weapons I am Rāma, of fishes I am the shark, and of flowing rivers I am the Ganges.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Kṛṣṇa’s Representatives

  1. 1Kṛṣṇa is the wind among purifiers, Rāma among weapon wielders, the shark among fishes, and the Ganges among flowing rivers.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that the shark is one of the biggest aquatic creatures and the most dangerous to humans.
  3. 3The shark therefore represents Kṛṣṇa.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 10, The Opulence of the Absolute: krishna’s divine opulences and manifestations.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Recognize Kṛṣṇa as the source of all.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhagavān, vibhūti.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 10.31 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to krishna’s nature?

Practice

Notice something excellent and see it as His opulence.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 10 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 10.19Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestationsBG 10.20Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestationsBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 11.51Composure returns in Krishna’s personal presence

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 10.31 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.