📿 Shloka Collection

Katham Vidyam Aham Yogin

Gita 10.17 Bhagavad Gita
📖 Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10 — Vibhuti Yoga
कथं विद्यामहं योगिंस्त्वां सदा परिचिन्तयन् ।
केषु केषु च भावेषु चिन्त्योऽसि भगवन्मया ॥
Katham vidyam aham yogins tvam sada parichintayan,
Keshu keshu cha bhaveshu chintyo'si bhagavan maya.
कथम्
how
विद्याम् अहम्
may I know
योगिन्
O Yogin
त्वाम्
You
सदा
always
परिचिन्तयन्
meditating upon — contemplating
केषु केषु
in which and which
च भावेषु
and in which forms
चिन्त्यः असि
are You to be meditated upon
भगवन् मया
O Lord, by me

Arjuna's question is deeply practical. He is saying: yes, I want to meditate on You constantly. But in which form? In which things should I look for You? This is the question of every person who wants to connect with the divine but finds the abstract hard to hold on to.

The phrase keshu keshu is repeated — in which and which. This repetition reveals the depth of Arjuna's curiosity. He does not want just one or two examples. He wants the full picture. This is why Krishna will provide such a detailed catalogue in the shlokas ahead.

This is the second of Arjuna's three request-shlokas (10.16-18). In 10.16, he said: tell me. In 10.17, he asks: how should I know You? In 10.18, he will say: tell me more. Together they show Arjuna's intense desire for understanding.

This question touches a practical aspect of spiritual life: what to focus on during meditation. Shlokas 10.20 through 10.42 are Krishna's detailed answer.

Chapter 10 · 17 / 42
Chapter 10 · 17 / 42 Next →