10.2 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 10, Verse 2

In Bhagavad Gita 10.2, Lord Krishna makes a profound declaration about His divine position in the cosmic hierarchy. He states that neither the celestial gods (devas) nor the great sages (maharshis) know His origin, for He is the ultimate source from which both these exalted beings originate. This verse establishes Krishna's supreme position as the cause of all causes, the primordial being from whom everything in existence emanates.

The significance of this revelation cannot be overstated. Even beings of extraordinary supernatural vision and extensive knowledge – the devas and maharshis who possess wisdom and powers far beyond ordinary humans – cannot comprehend Krishna's true nature, His names, actions, essence, or attributes. This limitation exists because Krishna is the very source of their nature, knowledge, and power. The knowledge these beings possess is what Krishna has granted them according to their meritorious deeds, and this knowledge, though vast by our standards, is ultimately limited.

This verse highlights an important spiritual principle: that which is the cause cannot be fully comprehended by its effects. Just as a creation cannot fully understand its creator, the devas and sages, being emanations from Krishna, cannot grasp His complete reality. Krishna is described as "aadihi" – the first principle and ultimate cause of everything in the entire universe. This establishes a fundamental hierarchy in spiritual understanding where Krishna's position is unique and transcendental.

The verse also points to the limitations of intellectual or speculative approaches to understanding the Supreme. Even the most advanced beings with their supernatural powers and wisdom fall short of comprehending Krishna's true nature. This suggests that mere intellectual effort, scholarship, or even rigorous spiritual disciplines cannot, by themselves, reveal Krishna's complete reality. There is a qualitative difference between Krishna and all other beings, no matter how exalted they may be.

By revealing this truth to Arjuna, Krishna is highlighting the special nature of the knowledge He is imparting. Arjuna is receiving direct instruction that even the gods and sages do not have access to – a profound privilege that underscores the unique relationship between Krishna and His devotee. This establishes the exceptional value of the Bhagavad Gita as divine revelation rather than speculative philosophy.

This verse invites a posture of humility in spiritual seekers. If even the celestial beings and great sages cannot fully comprehend Krishna through their own efforts, how much more should human beings approach the divine with humility and openness? It suggests that true understanding comes not primarily through intellectual mastery or yogic accomplishments but through divine grace and revelation. The path to knowing Krishna involves receptivity to His self-disclosure rather than conquest through human effort alone.

Ultimately, this verse establishes Krishna's position as the Supreme Lord, the cause of all causes, beyond the comprehension of even the most exalted beings in the cosmos. It sets the stage for the remainder of Chapter 10, where Krishna will reveal aspects of His divine opulences (vibhuti) that can be grasped by human understanding, while acknowledging that His full glory remains beyond complete comprehension. This tension between the knowable and unknowable aspects of the divine creates a profound spiritual dynamic that runs throughout the Bhagavad Gita.