Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10, Verse 17

English Translation

O Yogi, [Here yoga stands for the results of yoga, viz omniscience, omnipotence, etc.; one possessed of these is a yogi. (See Comm. on 10.7)] how shall I know You by remaining ever-engaged in meditation? And through what objects, O Lord, are You to be meditated on by me?

Detailed Commentary

10.17. Elucidation— 'How shall I know You, O Yogin, by constant meditation?' In the seventh verse, Bhagavan stated that one who knows My glories (Vibhutis) and Yoga in essence (Tattva) becomes endowed with unwavering Bhakti Yoga. Therefore, Arjuna asks Bhagavan, "How shall I know You by always meditating?" 'In what various aspects, O Bhagavan, are You to be meditated upon by me?' In the fourteenth verse of the eighth chapter, Bhagavan said that for the Yogi who, with an undivided mind, constantly remembers Me, I am easily attainable. Then, in the twenty-second verse of the ninth chapter, He said that for those exclusive devotees who constantly meditate upon Me, I carry their Yoga-Kshema. Hearing thus the glory of meditation (Chintan), Arjuna asks, "Where shall I practice that meditation by which I may know You in essence (Tattva)? In what object, person, place (Desha), time (Kala), event, or circumstance should I meditate upon You?" Here, Arjuna has asked where and in what object, person, or place he should meditate upon You, but Bhagavan has replied further that wherever your mind goes, there itself meditate upon Me. The purport is that I am all-pervading in all objects, places (Desha), and times (Kala). Therefore, wherever your mind is drawn by any distinctiveness, greatness, or beauty, there itself meditate upon Me. That is to say, understand that distinctiveness to be Mine alone. Because considering the distinctiveness of the world will lead to meditation on the world, but considering My distinctiveness will lead to meditation on Me. In this way, meditation on the world should be transformed into meditation on Me.