Of hymns in the Sama Veda, I am Brihat-sama; of poetry, I am the Gayatri; of months, I am Margashirsha; and of seasons, I am the flowery spring.
Krishna’s connection with sacred hymns and spring highlights his association with renewal and inspiration. This shloka encourages Arjuna to see divinity in cyclical creation and creative expression.
I am the gambling of cheats, and of the splendid, I am the splendor. I am victory, I am perseverance, and I am the goodness of the virtuous.
Krishna’s identification with victory and brilliance emphasizes his role in inspiring excellence and determination. This resonates with Arjuna’s need to channel divine energy for righteous action.
Of the Vrishnis, I am Vasudeva; of the Pandavas, I am Arjuna; of the sages, I am Vyasa; and among great thinkers, I am Ushanas.
By associating with Vasudeva and Vyasa, Krishna aligns himself with wisdom and divine heritage. This shloka ties Krishna’s cosmic significance to revered figures of tradition, enhancing Arjuna’s reverence.
Among punishments, I am the rod of chastisement; of those who seek victory, I am morality; of secrets, I am silence; and of the wise, I am wisdom.
Krishna’s connection to discipline and silence underscores his role as the force behind morality and introspection. This guides Arjuna to embrace self-control and inner focus as spiritual tools.
I am the generating seed of all existences. There is no being—moving or nonmoving—that can exist without Me.
Krishna as the seed of all beings emphasizes his role as the source of creation. This reinforces the interconnectedness of all life, inspiring Arjuna to see Krishna in every aspect of the cosmos.
There is no end to My divine manifestations, O Arjuna. Whatever I have spoken to you is but a mere indication of My infinite opulences.
By stating the endless nature of his divine manifestations, Krishna invites Arjuna to contemplate the infinite. This shloka shifts focus from specifics to the boundlessness of Krishna’s essence.
Know that all opulent, beautiful, and glorious creations spring from but a spark of My splendor.
Krishna explains that all grandeur and glory emanate from a fragment of his splendor. This reveals the divine spark present in everything beautiful and powerful, inspiring reverence and wonder.