Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10, Verse 13 (BG 10.13) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

Arjun was well-versed in Vedic literature. Here he speaks of the eternal truths that the ancient seers have conveyed through certain words—with which he is familiar: such as the Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Abode, the Supremely Pure, and so forth. Yet until now, he had understood these to be merely attributes of the ultimate Truth. Therefore, when he hears the Lord himself employing these very words to describe himself, the son of Kunti is struck with wonder. He cannot comprehend how he might recognize his charioteer, Sri Krishna, as the primordial cause of the universe. Being a person of practical intellect, Arjun required more facts and knowledge to understand the true nature of Sri Krishna. We shall see that in this very chapter, the Lord Sri Krishna provides abundant information and facts to fulfill his inquiry. Yet rather than satisfying Arjun, this knowledge only doubles his curiosity, and he is compelled to request the Lord to reveal his cosmic form. The compassionate and devoted Lord Sri Krishna, in the next chapter, grants Arjun this vision of his universal form and fulfills his longing. Although Arjun had heard the words "Supreme Person" and others from the seers before, they had seemed to him meaningless and purposeless. His wonder is clearly expressed in his words: "You too speak of me in this manner." His confusion arose because he could not fathom how Sri Krishna, who stood before him in his own time, whom he had known for many years, and who was also his kinsman, could be infinite, supreme, unborn, and all-pervading. Arjun beholds Sri Krishna with his physical eyes, and therefore perceives only his form. Throughout the Gita, Sri Krishna reveals himself in his true nature as the Self, not as a member of society. The teacher of the Gita, Sri Krishna, is the Supreme Self—not merely the son of Vasudeva or the beloved of the gopis. Because Arjun continually saw Sri Krishna as a friend, a beloved, or a trustworthy and wise counselor and strategist, he failed to recognize Sri Krishna in his true nature as the Self. This was the source of his wonder and confusion. The next verse clarifies the spirit of an earnest seeker dwelling within Arjun—