Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 10 Vibhuti Yogah

पवन: पवतामस्मि राम: शस्त्रभृतामहम् |
झषाणां मकरश्चास्मि स्रोतसामस्मि जाह्नवी ||31||

Of purifiers, I am the wind; of wielders of weapons, I am Rama; of fishes, I am the shark; and of flowing rivers, I am the Ganges.

Jahnavi: The river Ganga, also known as Ganges.
Makarah: A mythological sea creature.
Rama: The divine hero and avatar of Vishnu.

Krishna’s association with the Ganges and the shark symbolizes purity and dominance. These connections portray him as the sustainer of life and natural forces, enriching the narrative of his divine immanence.

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Vibhuti Yogah - Of creations, I am the beginning and the end and also the middle, O Arjuna. Of sciences, I am the science of the self; and of debaters, I am the conclusive truth.

सर्गाणामादिरन्तश्च मध्यं चैवाहमर्जुन |
अध्यात्मविद्या विद्यानां वाद: प्रवदतामहम् ||32||

Of creations, I am the beginning and the end and also the middle, O Arjuna. Of sciences, I am the science of the self; and of debaters, I am the conclusive truth.

Adhyatma-Vidya: The knowledge of the self.
Vadah: Debate or logical reasoning.
Sarga: Creation or manifestation.

Krishna identifies himself with creation, knowledge, and time, illustrating his pervasive presence. This builds on Arjuna’s understanding of Krishna as both the initiator and sustainer of the universe.

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अक्षराणामकारोऽस्मि द्वन्द्व: सामासिकस्य च |
अहमेवाक्षय: कालो धाताहं विश्वतोमुख: ||33||

Of letters, I am the letter A; and among compounds, I am the dual word. I am also inexhaustible time, and of creators, I am Brahma.

Akarah: The first letter of the Sanskrit alphabet.
Kalo: Time, often depicted as eternal.
Dhata: The creator or sustainer.

Krishna connects with foundational concepts like the letter A and inexhaustible time. This shloka emphasizes his role as the eternal basis of existence and the unfolding of reality.

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Vibhuti Yogah - I am all-devouring death, and I am the origin of all that will be born. Of feminine qualities, I am fame, fortune, speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness, and patience.

मृत्यु: सर्वहरश्चाहमुद्भवश्च भविष्यताम् |
कीर्ति: श्रीर्वाक्च नारीणां स्मृतिर्मेधा धृति: क्षमा ||34||

I am all-devouring death, and I am the origin of all that will be born. Of feminine qualities, I am fame, fortune, speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness, and patience.

Mrityuh: Death, the ultimate taker of all beings.
Kshama: Patience or forgiveness.
Medha: Intelligence or wisdom.

Krishna identifies with both destructive forces like death and nurturing qualities like patience and forgiveness. This duality reflects his role as both the end and the sustenance of all life.

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बृहत्साम तथा साम्नां गायत्री छन्दसामहम् |
मासानां मार्गशीर्षोऽहमृतूनां कुसुमाकर: ||35||

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.

Brihat-sama: A hymn in the Sama Veda.
Gayatri: A sacred Vedic mantra.
Kusumakarah: Spring, the season of flowers.

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.

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द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् |
जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम् ||36||

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.

Dyutam: Gambling or deceit.
Tejas: Radiance or brilliance.
Vyavasayah: Determination or effort.

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.

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वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनञ्जय: |
मुनीनामप्यहं व्यास: कवीनामुशना कवि: ||37||

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.

Vasudeva: Refers to Krishna, born as the son of Vasudeva.
Dhananjaya: A name for Arjuna, meaning conqueror of wealth.
Ushana: A sage known for wisdom and poetry.

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.

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