The Bhagavad Gita, one of the most profound spiritual texts in the world, offers timeless wisdom on devotion, self-realization, and the true nature of God. Chapter 10, Verse 18, stands out as a powerful plea from Arjun to Shree Krishna—a heartfelt request to reveal more of His divine glories. This plea isn't just for information; it's a yearning for deeper devotion.
In a captivating discourse, Swami Mukundananda unravels the essence of this verse, illuminating how hearing the divine glories of the Supreme Lord nourishes faith and ignites pure love within the heart. Let us explore these divine insights to elevate our understanding and devotion.
Arjun's Thirst for Divine Knowledge
In the earlier chapters of the Bhagavad Gita, Shree Krishna emphasizes the path of bhakti—devotional service—and urges Arjun to anchor his mind and heart in Him. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Shree Krishna’s divine attributes.
In Chapter 10, Shree Krishna says, “I will now tell you of My glories, which will nourish your devotion.”
Swamiji explains that knowledge leads to faith, and faith results in love. Arjun’s request in verse 18 is not just intellectual curiosity. His thirst represents the devotee’s natural yearning to continuously hear the divine leelas (pastimes) and manifestations/.uyy of the Lord.
Shree Krishna: The Cause of All Causes
Swamiji elaborates that Shree Krishna reveals a foundational truth:
“I am the cause of all causes, the source of both the material and the spiritual worlds.”
Arjun, overwhelmed by this revelation, acknowledges Shree Krishna as Brahma Paramam—the Supreme Divine Personality. There is nothing higher, no being or power beyond Him.
This profound acknowledgment comes not from blind belief but from realization—the culmination of experiential wisdom and divine revelation.
The Nature of Divine Ras (Spiritual Flavor)
Arjun’s response illustrates an important spiritual principle. Even after hearing about Shree Krishna’s glories, his thirst only increases. This is the divine ras that Swamiji explains beautifully.
What is Divine Ras?
The Sanskrit word ras refers to taste or flavor—both in the literal and metaphorical sense. In spiritual context, it refers to the ecstatic emotional experience between the soul and the Divine.
“Divine ras is dynamic satiation and ever-increasing thirst,” explains Swamiji.
This is unlike worldly enjoyment, which decreases over time and leads to boredom. Worldly experiences are:
- Finite
- Temporary
- Diminishing
The Diminishing Ras of the Material World
Swamiji draws a humorous yet profound analogy:
Suppose a new Bollywood movie releases. The first viewing is thrilling. The second is tolerable. By the third, it becomes a chore.
This diminishing satisfaction is a hallmark of material ras. Like the fox’s shadow that looks massive in the morning and tiny by midday, the value of worldly pleasures reduces the more we chase them.
True joy—lasting, infinite, and ever-fresh—comes only from divine connection.
Divine Ras: Ever Fresh, Ever Expanding
Swamiji reminds us of the uniqueness of spiritual bliss:
“You close your eyes and envision Shree Krishna. Open your eyes again—He appears even more enchanting.”
This quality of God—being ever-fresh—is why devotees never tire of chanting His name or hearing His stories. Repeating “Radha” or “Krishna” never grows old when the heart is soaked in love.
In divine love:
- Time disappears
- Joy multiplies
- Craving becomes celebration
The Moon and Divine Love
Swamiji draws a poetic comparison between the moon and love:
“The full moon (Purnima) wanes the next day. But divine love? It never decreases.”
This eternal, unwavering, and expanding love is what the Bhagavad Gita seeks to awaken within us. Unlike human affection that can be conditional or fleeting, divine love is unconditional and infinite.
Lessons from the Ramayan – The Leela of Shree Ram and Valmiki
To further illustrate Shree Krishna’s divine qualities, Swamiji recounts a touching episode from the Ramayan.
On the third day of his exile, Bhagavan Ram approaches the sage Valmiki and asks where he should reside for the next 14 years.
Valmiki answers with a profound question:
“Where in this forest do You not already reside?”
He reminds Shree Ram (who is pretending to be human as part of His leela) that He is omnipresent, residing in every atom of creation.
This highlights God’s inconceivable nature—though beyond form, He chooses to take form to enact His loving play and guide devotees.
The True Dwelling of God – The Devotee's Heart
Swamiji quotes Valmiki's final answer:
“Shree Ram, You dwell in the hearts of those whose ears are like oceans—always eager and never satiated in hearing Your glories.”
This metaphor is immensely powerful. Just as the ocean never tells the river to stop flowing in, the ears of a true devotee never say "enough" when it comes to hearing about God.
In these devotees, God chooses to reside—because their love makes their hearts a divine temple.
Hyperbole in Spiritual Literature – Nectar from Shree Krishna’s Lips
Arjun describes Shree Krishna’s words as nectar emanating from His lips. Swamiji explains that this is a literary device known as hyperbole—used to emphasize a point by exaggeration.
But in this case, the exaggeration feels real. For the devotee, hearing Shree Krishna speak is not just delightful—it’s ecstatic.
"Words like nectar" would fall short. It is nectar.
Shree Krishna as Janardan – The Kindhearted Lord
Arjun refers to Shree Krishna as Janardan—a name that reveals a crucial divine quality: compassion.
Swamiji explains:
“People give what they have in abundance—food, education, jobs. But saints give what is eternal: connection with God.”
This is the highest act of benevolence—to guide someone back to their spiritual origin. Saints, like Swami Mukundananda, serve humanity by sharing divine wisdom and rekindling our dormant love for God.
The Gopis’ Longing – Love Expressed in the Bhagavatam
Swamiji draws another reference from the Shrimad Bhagavatam, considered the crown jewel of bhakti literature. In the Gopi Geet, the gopis express the pain of separation (viraha) from Shree Krishna:
“When our hearts burn in longing, hearing Your glories gives us relief. Those who narrate Your pastimes are the most benevolent of all.”
This reinforces the power of divine narration. Telling or hearing Shree Krishna’s stories is not just informative—it is transformative.
Hearing vs. Seeing – How God Enters Our Hearts
Swamiji emphasizes a subtle yet powerful truth:
“God enters the heart more through the ears than the eyes.”
Seeing a deity in a temple (darshan) is certainly uplifting. But hearing about God’s glories penetrates deeper, transforming the soul at its core.
This is why Arjun, after having direct darshan of Shree Krishna, still craves to hear more. It’s not just about seeing the Divine—it’s about knowing Him, feeling Him, loving Him.
Different Names, Different Virtues
Throughout the Gita, Arjun and Shree Krishna address each other by different names, depending on the situation. Each name highlights a particular virtue.
Here, Arjun chooses “Janardan”—because he’s appealing to Shree Krishna’s kindness and grace.
By recognizing Shree Krishna’s nature as compassionate, Arjun seeks a deeper connection, a more intimate outpouring of divine wisdom.
Conclusion – Infinite Glories, Infinite Devotion
The discourse by Swami Mukundananda on Bhagavad Gita 10.18 is more than a lecture—it’s a spiritual journey. We learn:
- The nature of divine ras and how it differs from worldly pleasures
- The unquenchable thirst of true devotion
- How God responds to love and resides in the hearts of eager devotees
- That the highest charity is reconnecting a soul with God
Shree Krishna’s glories are truly infinite, and the more we hear, the more our faith deepens. Like Arjun, may we all humbly ask: “Please tell me again of Your divine glories, for I can never tire of hearing the nectar of Your words.”
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