Bhagavad Gita 10.40 — The Lord's Glories Have No End
नान्तोऽस्ति मम दिव्यानां विभूतीनां परन्तप ।
एष तूद्देशतः प्रोक्तो विभूतेर्विस्तरो मया ॥ १०.४० ॥
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The Blessed Lord said: There is no end to My divine glories, O scorcher of foes. What I have spoken of the extent of My glory is only an indication.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not |
| antaḥ | end |
| asti | there is |
| mama | My |
| divyānām | divine |
| vibhūtīnām | glories |
| parantapa | O scorcher of foes, O Arjuna |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| eṣhaḥ | this |
| tu | but |
| uddeśhataḥ | by way of indication, as an illustration |
| proktaḥ | has been declared |
| vibhūteḥ | of the glory |
| vistaraḥ | extent, expanse |
| mayā | by Me |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not | eṣhaḥ | this |
| antaḥ | end | tu | but |
| asti | there is | uddeśhataḥ | by way of indication, as an illustration |
| mama | My | proktaḥ | has been declared |
| divyānām | divine | vibhūteḥ | of the glory |
| vibhūtīnām | glories | vistaraḥ | extent, expanse |
| parantapa | O scorcher of foes, O Arjuna | mayā | by Me |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna, whom He addresses as the scorcher of foes, that there is no end to His divine manifestations, and that what He has spoken is only a brief sketch. The verse is an honest acknowledgment of the limits of any description of the infinite.
Essence
The Infinite Cannot Be Exhausted
Nānto 'sti mama divyānāṁ vibhūtīnām (there is no end to My divine manifestations): After describing dozens of examples, the Lord openly states that He has not exhausted the subject. His glories cannot be counted. If every grain of sand were counted and every star named, the Lord's manifestations would still not be finished.
Parantapa (O scorcher of foes): This name for Arjuna recalls his role as a warrior. Interestingly, Krishna uses it just when He is talking about the endlessness of the Divine, perhaps reminding Arjuna that even a mighty hero should remain humble before the infinite.
Eṣa tūddeśataḥ prokto (this has been stated only by way of illustration): The word uddeśa means a brief indication or a summary. The entire catalogue was a sample, meant to point toward the whole.
Vibhūter vistaro mayā (the extent of My glory, as spoken by Me): Krishna clarifies that even this description is limited to what He has chosen to say.
Why Give Examples at All?
If the Lord's glory is endless, why list examples? Because the human mind needs a starting point. A traveller who sees one wave understands something about the sea. The examples train our vision, so that we begin to see the Divine for ourselves in what we encounter.
Message for Everyday Life (Embracing Wonder and Humility)
Keep a sense of wonder: There is always more to discover, about people, nature and life. Staying curious guards against complacency and boredom.
Accept that you will never know everything: This is not a failing but a feature of a vast universe. It invites lifelong learning rather than anxiety.
The Infinite Cannot Be Exhausted
Nānto 'sti mama divyānāṁ vibhūtīnām (there is no end to My divine manifestations): After describing dozens of examples, the Lord openly states that He has not exhausted the subject. His glories cannot be counted. If every grain of sand were counted and every star named, the Lord's manifestations would still not be finished.
Parantapa (O scorcher of foes): This name for Arjuna recalls his role as a warrior. Interestingly, Krishna uses it just when He is talking about the endlessness of the Divine, perhaps reminding Arjuna that even a mighty hero should remain humble before the infinite.
Eṣa tūddeśataḥ prokto (this has been stated only by way of illustration): The word uddeśa means a brief indication or a summary. The entire catalogue was a sample, meant to point toward the whole.
Vibhūter vistaro mayā (the extent of My glory, as spoken by Me): Krishna clarifies that even this description is limited to what He has chosen to say.
Why Give Examples at All?
If the Lord's glory is endless, why list examples? Because the human mind needs a starting point. A traveller who sees one wave understands something about the sea. The examples train our vision, so that we begin to see the Divine for ourselves in what we encounter.
Message for Everyday Life (Embracing Wonder and Humility)
Keep a sense of wonder: There is always more to discover, about people, nature and life. Staying curious guards against complacency and boredom.
Accept that you will never know everything: This is not a failing but a feature of a vast universe. It invites lifelong learning rather than anxiety.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has acknowledged that His glories are endless and that He has given only an illustration. The next verse gives Arjuna a simple key for recognising any manifestation of the Divine, wherever it may appear.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Some wonders can be approached but never finished.
The more we know, the more we see we do not know.
A few clear glimpses can open a vast landscape.
Wonder is the beginning of devotion.
There is always more beyond the horizon.
A closed mind cannot receive the infinite.
Stand quietly before what you cannot measure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'nāntaḥ asti' (there is no end) mean in this verse?
Why is Arjuna addressed as 'parantapa' (scorcher of foes)?
What does 'uddeśhataḥ' (by way of indication) tell us?
Why does the Lord say that He has spoken of 'vistaraḥ' (the extent) only briefly?
What is the main lesson of this verse?
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