Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 10 Vibhuti Yogah

आदित्यानामहं विष्णुर्ज्योतिषां रविरंशुमान् |
मरीचिर्मरुतामस्मि नक्षत्राणामहं शशी ||21||

Of the Adityas, I am Vishnu; of lights, I am the radiant sun; of the Maruts, I am Marichi; and among the stars, I am the moon.

Adityas: Solar deities or sons of Aditi.
Marichih: A prominent sage and one of the Maruts.
Shashi: The moon.

By identifying himself with celestial and natural phenomena, Krishna begins to outline his divine immanence. This invites Arjuna to perceive the sacred within the grandeur of nature and cosmic forces.

Bookmark removed

वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासव: |
इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चास्मि भूतानामस्मि चेतना ||22||

Of the Vedas, I am the Sama Veda; of the gods, I am Indra; of the senses, I am the mind; and of living beings, I am consciousness.

Sama-Veda: One of the four Vedas, focused on melodies and chants.
Indriyanam: The senses or faculties.
Chetana: Consciousness or awareness.

Krishna aligns himself with fundamental aspects of knowledge and power, such as the Sama Veda and the mind. This shloka encourages Arjuna to see Krishna as the source of wisdom and consciousness itself.

Bookmark removed

Vibhuti Yogah - Among the Rudras, I am Shankara; among the Yakshas and Rakshasas, I am the Lord of wealth (Kubera); of the Vasus, I am Agni; and of mountains, I am Meru.

रुद्राणां शङ्करश्चास्मि वित्तेशो यक्षरक्षसाम् |
वसूनां पावकश्चास्मि मेरु: शिखरिणामहम् ||23||

Among the Rudras, I am Shankara; among the Yakshas and Rakshasas, I am the Lord of wealth (Kubera); of the Vasus, I am Agni; and of mountains, I am Meru.

Shankara: A name for Shiva, the auspicious one.
Kubera: The lord of wealth.
Meru: A sacred mountain in Hindu cosmology.

Krishna names manifestations like Shiva, Kubera, and Meru, signifying his association with power and stability. These symbols connect the metaphysical with tangible forms, enriching the spiritual narrative.

Bookmark removed

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