A declaration · expansive in mood · a little context helps
“Every genuine greatness is only a spark of my radiance.”
Whatever being or thing is endowed with splendour, beauty, or power—know that to have arisen from a spark of my radiance.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
Read literallywhatever · endowed with splendour/power · being · beautiful, glorious · strong, mighty · indeed · or · that very · indeed · know · you · my · born from a portion of my radiance
Anything that shines with beauty, strength, or greatness comes from Krishna's radiance. He asks Arjuna to recognize that source in every impressive thing.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Vibhuti Yoga" (The Yoga of Divine Glories).
Verse 41 sits in Chapter 10 of the Bhagavad Gita — Vibhuti Yoga, "The Yoga of Divine Glories". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
You see a leader command a room, a musician fill a hall, or a child radiate unusual courage. The verse asks you not to worship the surface alone, but to notice the source of that brilliance.
Did you like this verse?
It shifts attention from isolated excellence to the deeper source behind all excellence.
What this verse means
Anything that shines with beauty, strength, or greatness comes from Krishna's radiance. He asks Arjuna to recognize that source in every impressive thing.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna hears Krishna continue listing the divine manifestations behind the world’s splendor. After saying his glories are endless, Krishna narrows the point: every striking force or beauty is only a trace of his radiance.
Why this verse still matters
You see a leader command a room, a musician fill a hall, or a child radiate unusual courage. The verse asks you not to worship the surface alone, but to notice the source of that brilliance.
“You can admire greatness without mistaking it for self-made power.”
Explore related themes: vibhuti (43 verses), manifestation (11 verses)