Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 10 Vibhuti Yogah

पुरोधसां च मुख्यं मां विद्धि पार्थ बृहस्पतिम् |
सेनानीनामहं स्कन्द: सरसामस्मि सागर: ||24||

Among priests, O Arjuna, know Me to be the chief, Brihaspati; among generals, I am Skanda; and of bodies of water, I am the ocean.

Brihaspati: The chief priest of the gods.
Skanda: A warrior god, also known as Kartikeya.
Sagarah: The ocean.

Krishna continues to list prominent symbols, including the ocean and Brihaspati. These associations highlight his divine influence across both natural and cultural domains, anchoring the metaphysical in familiar elements.

Bookmark removed

Vibhuti Yogah - Of the great sages, I am Bhrigu; of vibrations, I am the one-syllabled Om; of sacrifices, I am the chanting of the holy names (japa); and of immovable things, I am the Himalayas.

महर्षीणां भृगुरहं गिरामस्म्येकमक्षरम् |
यज्ञानां जपयज्ञोऽस्मि स्थावराणां हिमालय: ||25||

Of the great sages, I am Bhrigu; of vibrations, I am the one-syllabled Om; of sacrifices, I am the chanting of the holy names (japa); and of immovable things, I am the Himalayas.

Bhrigu: One of the great sages of Hindu tradition.
Om: The primordial sound and a sacred syllable.
Himalayas: The mountain range representing immovability.

By identifying with Om, the Himalayas, and meditation, Krishna underscores his role as both eternal truth and spiritual practice. This reflects his presence in both the sacred sound and the immovable mountain.

Bookmark removed

Vibhuti Yogah - Of all trees, I am the holy fig tree; among celestial sages, I am Narada; among Gandharvas, I am Chitraratha; and among perfected beings, I am the sage Kapila.

अश्वत्थ: सर्ववृक्षाणां देवर्षीणां च नारद: |
गन्धर्वाणां चित्ररथ: सिद्धानां कपिलो मुनि: ||26||

Of all trees, I am the holy fig tree; among celestial sages, I am Narada; among Gandharvas, I am Chitraratha; and among perfected beings, I am the sage Kapila.

Ashvattha: The holy fig tree.
Chitraratha: A celestial Gandharva known for his beauty.
Kapila: A sage and philosopher, founder of Sankhya philosophy.

Krishna’s identification with figures like Narada and the Ashvattha tree links the personal and cosmic. This highlights how divine manifestations permeate cultural archetypes and natural symbols, enriching devotion.

Bookmark removed

Vibhuti Yogah - Among horses, know Me to be Ucchaihshravas, which arose from the ocean of nectar; of lordly elephants, I am Airavata; and among men, I am the monarch.

उच्चै:श्रवसमश्वानां विद्धि माममृतोद्भवम् |
ऐरावतं गजेन्द्राणां नराणां च नराधिपम् ||27||

Among horses, know Me to be Ucchaihshravas, which arose from the ocean of nectar; of lordly elephants, I am Airavata; and among men, I am the monarch.

Ucchaisravas: A celestial horse born during the churning of the ocean.
Airavata: The divine elephant of Indra.
Naradhipa: The king of men.

Krishna’s connection to celestial beings like Ucchaisravas and Airavata exemplifies his opulence and grandeur. These images evoke awe, helping Arjuna grasp the magnificence of Krishna’s manifestations.

Bookmark removed

आयुधानामहं वज्रं धेनूनामस्मि कामधुक् |
प्रजनश्चास्मि कन्दर्प: सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकि: ||28||

Of weapons, I am the thunderbolt; among cows, I am Kamadhenu; I am Kandarpa, the cause of procreation; and of serpents, I am Vasuki.

Vajra: The thunderbolt weapon of Indra.
Kamadhuk: The wish-fulfilling cow.
Vasuki: The king of serpents.

Krishna associates himself with symbols of power, abundance, and creation, such as Kamadhenu and the thunderbolt. These symbols emphasize his role as both a protector and provider, central to cosmic balance.

Bookmark removed

Vibhuti Yogah - Of the celestial Nagas, I am Ananta; among aquatic beings, I am Varuna; of the ancestors, I am Aryama; and among those who enforce law, I am Yama.

अनन्तश्चास्मि नागानां वरुणो यादसामहम् |
पितृणामर्यमा चास्मि यम: संयमतामहम् ||29||

Of the celestial Nagas, I am Ananta; among aquatic beings, I am Varuna; of the ancestors, I am Aryama; and among those who enforce law, I am Yama.

Ananta: The infinite or endless one, often referring to the cosmic serpent.
Varuna: The deity of water and oceans.
Aryama: A leader of the ancestors.

Krishna connects himself with figures like Ananta and Varuna, representing infinite presence and order. This fosters Arjuna’s understanding of Krishna as the upholder of cosmic harmony and law.

Bookmark removed

प्रह्लादश्चास्मि दैत्यानां काल: कलयतामहम् |
मृगाणां च मृगेन्द्रोऽहं वैनतेयश्च पक्षिणाम् ||30||

Among the Daityas, I am Prahlada; among subduers, I am time; among beasts, I am the lion; and among birds, I am Garuda.

Prahlada: A devotee of Vishnu and son of Hiranyakashipu.
Mrigendrah: The lion, king of beasts.
Vainateya: Garuda, the celestial bird.

By identifying with Prahlada and the lion, Krishna links divinity with virtues like devotion and strength. This highlights his support for righteousness and his role as the source of courage and protection.

Bookmark removed