śrī-bhagavān uvāca
bhūya eva mahā-bāho
śṛṇu me paramaḿ vacaḥ
yat te ’haḿ prīyamāṇāya
vakṣyāmi hita-kāmyayā
Translation of Bhagavad Gita 10.1
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Listen again, O mighty-armed Arjuna. Because you are My dear friend, for your benefit I shall speak to you further, giving knowledge that is better than what I have already explained.
Commentary by Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada of Gaudiya Sampradaya:
The word bhagavan is explained thus by Parashara Muni: one who is full in six opulences, who has full strength, full fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty and renunciation, is Bhagavan, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead. While Krishna was present on this earth, He displayed all six opulences. Therefore great sages like Parashara Muni have all accepted Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Now Krishna is instructing Arjuna in more confidential knowledge of His opulences and His work. Previously, beginning with the Seventh Chapter, the Lord has already explained His different energies and how they are acting. Now in this chapter He explains His specific opulences to Arjuna. In the previous chapter He has clearly explained His different energies to establish devotion in firm conviction. Again in this chapter He tells Arjuna about His manifestations and various opulences.
The more one hears about the Supreme God, the more one becomes fixed in devotional service. One should always hear about the Lord in the association of devotees; that will enhance one’s devotional service. Discourses in the society of devotees can take place only among those who are really anxious to be in Krishna consciousness. Others cannot take part in such discourses. The Lord clearly tells Arjuna that because Arjuna is very dear to Him, for his benefit such discourses are taking place.
Commentary by Sri Vishvanatha Chakravarthi Thakur of Gaudiya Sampradaya:
Starting from the seventh chapter Krsna spoke of bhakti and its exclusive nature, revealing the powers of the Lord. Now in the tenth chapter he speaks of bhakti along with a description of the vibhutis of the Lord.
The powers of the Lord by knowing which one understands that the Lord is worthy of worship have been described starting from the seventh chapter. Now the Lord will explain the powers in detail for the pleasure of those who have devotion. According to the rule that the rsis speak indirectly and the Lord is fond of indirect statements, and because this knowledge is somewhat difficult to comprehend, the Lord speaks again.
paroksa-vada rsayah paroksam ca mama priyam
The Vedic seers and mantras deal in esoteric terms, and I also am pleased by such confidential descriptions. SB 11.21.35
“Again (bhuyah), hear my words.” This means, again I will speak about the king of knowledge, the king of secrets.
O Mighty-armed one, just as you display your supreme power of your arms, which is greater that all others, you should display the supreme power of your intelligence in this topic. Listen to the words I speak.” This implies that Arjuna should limit his attention to what is spoken.
“These words are even superior to what I have said previously (paramam vacam). I speak these words to you, to cause you astonishment.” The dative case (te) is used to limit the purpose of the verb (vaksyami) “I will speak to you.” This means “I will speak to you because you are filled with prema (priyamanaya).”
Commentary by Sri Ramanuja of Sri Sampradaya:
10.1 The Lord said — Listen with rapt attention to these words which I shall utter — words which are supreme and which give you a much wider understanding of My greatness. I shall speak out to you about the rise and growth of devotion to Me, as you are pleased with listening to My greatness and as I too love you.
Commentary by Sri Sridhara Swami of Rudra Sampradaya:
In the previous chapters seven and eight the opulence of the Supreme Lord has been touched upon in brief. In chapter nine Lord Krishna has established the sublime superiority of bhakti or pure loving devotion. Now in the tenth chapter He will expand the horizon of His opulence and glories to crystallise and make vivid the realisation of God for His devotees. In these three chapters the form of the Supreme Lord Krishna which is to be worshipped has been determined. Such as in VII.VIII Lord Krishna states He is the succulent flavor in water, the effulgence of the sun, the monosyllable OM. In VII.XXX He explains that He should be known as the sole controller and source of all creation. In VIII:IV He explains that He is the Supreme Soul residing within all sentient beings. In IX.XVI He declares He is the fire, the mantra, the ghee and the yagna or ceremony itself. Now in order to clearly delineate these glories and opulences Lord Krishna emphasises that loving devotion to the Supreme Lord must be performed. He calls Arjuna maha-baho or mighty armed one denoting one who is mightily able to dextrously perform one’s duty as battle for righteousness but also able to dextrously perform service to the Supreme Lord. He states bhuyah eva once again, hear my vacah words. What kind of words? He states paramam or supreme meaning words pertaining to the Supreme Absolute Truth which for Arjuna’s benefit and the benefit of His devotees who both take the words of the Supreme Lord to be just like immortal nectar-
Commentary by Sri Madhvacharya of Brahma Sampradaya:
Hari OM! This chapter is narrated by Lord Krishna for the benefit of increasing reflection and meditation on the Supreme Lord and for the special incentive of revealing His resplendent glories. Just by hearing or reading these pleasing and delightful verses gives one great satisfaction.
Commentary by Sri Keshava Kashmiri of Kumara Sampradaya:
Thus Lord Krishna declared in the seventh and eighth chapters that the Supreme Lord is only accessible by bhakti or loving devotion. Then in the ninth chapter the greatness of this loving devotion to the Supreme Lord was revealed directly by the realisation of consciousness and indirectly by declaring the eternal, spiritual benefits gained for His devotees as opposed to the temporary, material benefits gained by the votaries of the demigods and all other gods. Now in order to induce the realisation of His infinite Supremacy over all to germinate and transform into loving devotion, He speaks this verse for Arjuna’s and devotees like him for their highest interests and best welfare. This is because although it was discoursed upon earlier the greatness and majesty of the Supreme Lord is so extraordinary and phenomenal that it is very difficult to be properly understood by most. So Lord Krishna shines light upon this theme reiterating it commencing with the words bhuyah eva meaning once again which emphasises that one should listen attentively to glean the essence and comprehend. The ultimate revelation which will enlighten the Supreme Reality in its entirety regarding the magnificence and glory of the Supreme Lord causing bhakti for Him to germinate and grow expeditiously for the highest good for Arjuna and the devotees.
Commentary by Sri Adi Shankaracharya of Advaita Sampradaya:
10.1 O mighty-armed one, srnu, listen; bhuyah eva, over agiain; me, to My; paramam, supreme; vacah, utterance, which is expressive of the transcendental Reality; yat, which supreme Truth; aham, I; vaksyami, shall speak; te, to you; priyamanaya, who take delight (in it). You become greatly pleased by My utterance, like one drinking ambrosia. Hence, I shall speak to you hita-kamyaya, wishing your welfare. ‘Why shall I speak?’ In answer to this the Lord says:
Commentary by Sri Abhinavagupta of Kaula Tantra Sampradaya:
10.1-5 The subject-matter that has been indicated in the previous nine chapters – the same in being detailed here in this chapter by citing individual instances. That is why [the Bhagavat] says ‘Yet again etc.’ (10.X, 1). He thus indicates ‘Hear the subject matter, which has already been related to you, but which once again being explained in order to make it clear’. Arjuna too says in the sequel likewise ‘Tell me once again etc.’ (10.X, 18). This is the purport of [this] chapter. Other items are clear by mere reciting. Hence, why to repeat them ? However, whatever is doubtful that shall be decided [then and there]. Bhuyah etc. upto prthagvidhah. Steadiness is that which induces one.
Sanskrit Shloka Without Transliteration Marks:
sri-bhagavan uvaca
bhuya eva maha-baho
srnu me paramam vacah
yat te ’ham priyamanaya
vaksyami hita-kamyaya
Sanskrit to English Word for Word Meanings:
śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; bhūyaḥ — again; eva — certainly; mahā-bāho — O mighty-armed; śṛṇu — just hear; me — My; paramam — supreme; vacaḥ — instruction; yat — that which; te — to you; aham — I; prīyamāṇāya — thinking you dear to Me; vakṣyāmi — say; hita-kāmyayā — for your benefit.
