Gita 10.40
Vibhuti Yoga
नान्तोऽस्ति मम दिव्यानां विभूतीनां परन्तप । एष तूद्देशतः प्रोक्तो विभूतेर्विस्तरो मया ॥४०॥
nānto 'sti mama divyānāṁ vibhūtīnāṁ parantapa | eṣa tūddeśataḥ prokto vibhūter vistaro mayā ||40||
In essence: Krishna's divine glories are infinite - what He has described is merely a brief indication of an endless expanse.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "If Krishna's glories are truly infinite, isn't it frustrating that we can only know a tiny fraction? We can never know Him completely."
Guru: "If you were given a single drop of nectar, would you be frustrated that the ocean of nectar remains untasted? Or would you savor the drop?"
Sadhak: "I'd savor it. But there's something unsettling about pursuing something I can never fully grasp."
Guru: "Consider: what would it mean to 'fully grasp' infinity? Would you even remain finite if you could contain the infinite? Is the goal to possess God or to be transformed by endless discovery of God?"
Sadhak: "Transformed by endless discovery... that actually sounds wonderful when you put it that way. Like an adventure that never ends."
Guru: "Exactly. Finite completion brings satisfaction that ends. Infinite discovery brings wonder that deepens forever. Krishna's infinity is not a limitation on your knowing but a guarantee that reality will never become boring, never be exhausted, never reach a point where there's nothing more to discover."
Sadhak: "So the examples in this chapter are starting points?"
Guru: "Training wheels. He says 'uddeśataḥ' - by indication. A finger pointing at the moon. Once you learn to see vibhūti in what He explicitly names, you can begin seeing it everywhere. What's the most excellent thing you've encountered that He DIDN'T name in this chapter?"
Sadhak: "Maybe... the internet? The human brain? The experience of falling in love?"
Guru: "And now apply the same recognition: 'That is His vibhūti too.' You've graduated from needing His examples to seeing for yourself. That's the purpose of verse 40 - to release you from the list into direct seeing."
Sadhak: "It's liberating. The whole world becomes scripture revealing Him."
Guru: "Now you're reading the book He's actually writing - the universe itself."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Infinity contemplation: Upon waking, spend a moment contemplating that Krishna's glories have no end. What does this mean for today? It means that no matter how many divine manifestations you've recognized, there are infinitely more. Set an intention: 'Today I will discover at least one vibhūti I've never noticed before.' Approach the day as an explorer in an infinite territory of divine glory.
Beyond-the-list practice: As you encounter things not mentioned in Chapter 10's list, apply the vibhūti recognition: 'Among [category], what is the outstanding excellence? That is His presence.' Try: 'Among things I've eaten, where was the greatest nourishment?' 'Among conversations, which most lifted my spirit?' 'Among buildings, which evokes the greatest awe?' This trains you to see vibhūti independently of the scriptural examples. Notice how recognizing excellence as divine changes your relationship to it.
Gratitude for indication: Reflect on the chapter's examples as gifts - not the complete map but enough indications to begin finding your way. Express gratitude for specific vibhūtis you encountered today - both from the chapter's list and beyond it. Then rest in the recognition that what you've seen is 'uddeśataḥ' - indication only. Infinite discovery awaits. Let this create wonder rather than frustration as you fall asleep.