Bhagavad Gita 10.41 — Every Glorious Being Is a Spark of the Lord's Splendor
यद्यद्विभूतिमत्सत्त्वं श्रीमदूर्जितमेव वा ।
तत्तदेवावगच्छ त्वं मम तेजोंऽशसम्भवम् ॥ १०.४१ ॥
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The Blessed Lord said: Whatever being is glorious, prosperous, or powerful, know that to have arisen from but a spark of My splendor.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yat yat | whatever |
| vibhūtimat | glorious, endowed with glory |
| sattvam | being, creature, existence |
| śhrīmat | prosperous, beautiful |
| ūrjitam | powerful, vigorous |
| eva | indeed |
| vā | or |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tat tat | that and that |
| eva | surely |
| avagachchha | know, understand |
| tvam | you |
| mama | My |
| tejaḥ | splendor |
| aṁśhasambhavam | born from a part |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yat yat | whatever | tat tat | that and that |
| vibhūtimat | glorious, endowed with glory | eva | surely |
| sattvam | being, creature, existence | avagachchha | know, understand |
| śhrīmat | prosperous, beautiful | tvam | you |
| ūrjitam | powerful, vigorous | mama | My |
| eva | indeed | tejaḥ | splendor |
| vā | or | aṁśhasambhavam | born from a part |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna gives Arjuna a practical rule: whatever being is glorious, prosperous or powerful, know that it springs from a small portion of His splendour. The verse converts the entire catalogue into a method for seeing the Divine in the world.
Essence
A Key to Recognising the Divine
Yad yad vibhūtimat sattvam (whatever being is glorious): The word vibhūtimat refers to something that carries special glory or power. It could be a person of remarkable ability, a natural wonder or a moment of great beauty.
Śrīmad (prosperous or beautiful): This refers to what is attractive, graceful and flourishing.
Ūrjitam eva vā (or vigorous and powerful): This refers to what is full of energy and strength.
Tat tad evāvagaccha tvaṁ mama tejo-'ṁśa-sambhavam (know that to have arisen from a portion of My splendour): Whenever we meet something exceptional, whether in beauty, success, strength or brilliance, it is only a small spark of the Lord's own radiance. The word aṁśa means part or fraction. Even the most dazzling achievement in the world is only a fragment of His glory.
Two Benefits of This Vision
First, it makes us humble. If a gifted person's talent is only a portion of the Lord's splendour, then there is no ground for arrogance, whether in ourselves or in others. Second, it makes us grateful and reduces envy. Instead of resenting someone's success, we can appreciate it as a glimpse of the Divine.
Turning Everyday Life into Worship
With this key, any experience can become a reminder of God: a beautiful sunset, a brilliant idea, a remarkable act of kindness. The world becomes a place filled with gentle signals pointing back to the source.
Message for Everyday Life (Replacing Envy with Appreciation)
Admire without envy: The next time someone's success or talent stirs jealousy in you, remind yourself that all excellence springs from one source. Appreciation brings peace, while envy brings suffering.
Treat gifts as a trust: If you possess a special ability, remember that it is borrowed splendour. Use it generously and with gratitude.
A Key to Recognising the Divine
Yad yad vibhūtimat sattvam (whatever being is glorious): The word vibhūtimat refers to something that carries special glory or power. It could be a person of remarkable ability, a natural wonder or a moment of great beauty.
Śrīmad (prosperous or beautiful): This refers to what is attractive, graceful and flourishing.
Ūrjitam eva vā (or vigorous and powerful): This refers to what is full of energy and strength.
Tat tad evāvagaccha tvaṁ mama tejo-'ṁśa-sambhavam (know that to have arisen from a portion of My splendour): Whenever we meet something exceptional, whether in beauty, success, strength or brilliance, it is only a small spark of the Lord's own radiance. The word aṁśa means part or fraction. Even the most dazzling achievement in the world is only a fragment of His glory.
Two Benefits of This Vision
First, it makes us humble. If a gifted person's talent is only a portion of the Lord's splendour, then there is no ground for arrogance, whether in ourselves or in others. Second, it makes us grateful and reduces envy. Instead of resenting someone's success, we can appreciate it as a glimpse of the Divine.
Turning Everyday Life into Worship
With this key, any experience can become a reminder of God: a beautiful sunset, a brilliant idea, a remarkable act of kindness. The world becomes a place filled with gentle signals pointing back to the source.
Message for Everyday Life (Replacing Envy with Appreciation)
Admire without envy: The next time someone's success or talent stirs jealousy in you, remind yourself that all excellence springs from one source. Appreciation brings peace, while envy brings suffering.
Treat gifts as a trust: If you possess a special ability, remember that it is borrowed splendour. Use it generously and with gratitude.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has given the key that all glory is a portion of His splendour. In the final verse of this chapter, He sets aside the long catalogue and reveals the simple, profound truth behind all of it: that a single fraction of Himself supports the entire universe.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
All brilliance is borrowed from one source.
Talent is a gift, not a possession.
Admiration grows where comparison ends.
Thank the giver of every strength.
Look for the spark in everything excellent.
Even the mighty are small before the source.
Let others' excellence lift your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do 'vibhūtimat' (glorious), 'śhrīmat' (prosperous, beautiful), and 'ūrjitam' (powerful) refer to?
What does 'sattvam' (being, creature) mean in this verse?
What is meant by 'aṁśhasambhavam' (born from a part)?
What is 'tejaḥ' (splendor) in this context?
How can this verse be applied in daily life?
Explore related topics
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