Bhagavad Gita 10.1 — The Lord Speaks Again Out of Love for Arjuna's Welfare
श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
भूय एव महाबाहो शृणु मे परमं वचः ।
यत्तेऽहं प्रीयमाणाय वक्ष्यामि हितकाम्यया ॥ १०.१ ॥
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The Blessed Lord said: O mighty-armed one, listen once more to My supreme words, which I shall speak to you, who are dear to Me, out of the desire for your welfare.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| bhūyaḥ | again, once more |
| eva | indeed |
| mahābāho | O mighty-armed one |
| śhṛiṇu | listen |
| me | My |
| paramam | supreme, highest |
| vachaḥ | word, teaching |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yat | which |
| te | to you |
| aham | I |
| prīyamāṇāya | to you who are delighted, who are dear to Me |
| vakṣhyāmi | shall speak, shall declare |
| hitakāmyayā | out of the desire for your welfare |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| bhūyaḥ | again, once more | yat | which |
| eva | indeed | te | to you |
| mahābāho | O mighty-armed one | aham | I |
| śhṛiṇu | listen | prīyamāṇāya | to you who are delighted, who are dear to Me |
| me | My | vakṣhyāmi | shall speak, shall declare |
| paramam | supreme, highest | hitakāmyayā | out of the desire for your welfare |
| vachaḥ | word, teaching | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna begins the tenth chapter by addressing Arjuna with great affection and promising to reveal a teaching that is even more supreme than what he has already spoken. The reason for this fresh outpouring is not instruction for its own sake but pure well-wishing for a devoted listener.
Essence
A Teacher Who Speaks Out of Love
The chapter opens with the words Bhūya eva, meaning "once again" or "yet again." Lord Krishna has already explained the Supreme Reality in the seventh, eighth and ninth chapters, but he now returns to the subject. This is how a loving teacher behaves: when he sees a student absorbing the teaching with joy, he does not stop at the minimum but continues to give more.
Mahā-bāho (O mighty-armed one): Krishna addresses Arjuna by the very name that reminds us of his strength as a warrior. The same Arjuna who trembled and collapsed on the battlefield in the first chapter is now spoken to as a hero, because a heart that has begun to listen with faith is already on the path to real strength.
Prīyamāṇāya (to one who is delighted in hearing): Spiritual knowledge cannot be poured into an unwilling mind. Arjuna is not listening out of obligation; he is finding the words of Krishna sweet and nourishing. This delight is itself a qualification. When a student enjoys the teaching, it is received deeply and not merely recorded.
Paramaṁ vacaḥ (the supreme word): Krishna calls what follows the highest teaching, because it concerns how the one Divine Reality is present in everything, and how a seeker can recognise Him in the world around him.
Hita-kāmyayā (out of a desire for your welfare): The motive is stated openly. Krishna speaks not to impress, to win an argument or to gain anything. His only desire is the lasting good of Arjuna. The Gita thus teaches that the highest knowledge is always transmitted through compassion.
Message for Everyday Life (Learning with a Receptive Heart)
Be a delighted listener: In daily life we often hear advice defensively, waiting for our turn to speak. This verse shows that real learning begins when we listen with interest and gratitude, whether to a parent, a teacher or a wise friend.
Teach with goodwill: If we are ever in the position of guiding someone, whether a child, a junior colleague or a friend, the verse reminds us to ask whether our words come from a desire for their welfare or from our own ego.
A Teacher Who Speaks Out of Love
The chapter opens with the words Bhūya eva, meaning "once again" or "yet again." Lord Krishna has already explained the Supreme Reality in the seventh, eighth and ninth chapters, but he now returns to the subject. This is how a loving teacher behaves: when he sees a student absorbing the teaching with joy, he does not stop at the minimum but continues to give more.
Mahā-bāho (O mighty-armed one): Krishna addresses Arjuna by the very name that reminds us of his strength as a warrior. The same Arjuna who trembled and collapsed on the battlefield in the first chapter is now spoken to as a hero, because a heart that has begun to listen with faith is already on the path to real strength.
Prīyamāṇāya (to one who is delighted in hearing): Spiritual knowledge cannot be poured into an unwilling mind. Arjuna is not listening out of obligation; he is finding the words of Krishna sweet and nourishing. This delight is itself a qualification. When a student enjoys the teaching, it is received deeply and not merely recorded.
Paramaṁ vacaḥ (the supreme word): Krishna calls what follows the highest teaching, because it concerns how the one Divine Reality is present in everything, and how a seeker can recognise Him in the world around him.
Hita-kāmyayā (out of a desire for your welfare): The motive is stated openly. Krishna speaks not to impress, to win an argument or to gain anything. His only desire is the lasting good of Arjuna. The Gita thus teaches that the highest knowledge is always transmitted through compassion.
Message for Everyday Life (Learning with a Receptive Heart)
Be a delighted listener: In daily life we often hear advice defensively, waiting for our turn to speak. This verse shows that real learning begins when we listen with interest and gratitude, whether to a parent, a teacher or a wise friend.
Teach with goodwill: If we are ever in the position of guiding someone, whether a child, a junior colleague or a friend, the verse reminds us to ask whether our words come from a desire for their welfare or from our own ego.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has promised a supreme teaching spoken purely for Arjuna's welfare. He now begins with the most humbling truth of all: that the origin of everything, even the gods and the greatest sages, lies in Him, and that no one can claim to understand Him fully by their own power.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
To listen deeply is the first step toward wisdom.
The best guidance comes from those who wish us well.
Trust turns instruction into transformation.
A humble mind is always ready to learn more.
Love makes the highest truths easy to receive.
Every teaching heard with attention deepens the next.
Real help seeks the other's lasting good, not momentary comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Krishna use the word 'bhūyaḥ' (again, once more) at the start of this verse?
Why is Arjuna addressed as 'mahābāho' (O mighty-armed one)?
What does 'prīyamāṇāya' (to one who is dear, who is delighted) tell us about Arjuna?
What does 'hitakāmyayā' (out of the desire for welfare) reveal about the purpose of the teaching?
What is meant by 'paramaṁ vachaḥ' (the supreme word)?
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