Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 10 Vibhuti Yogah

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

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.

Bookmark removed

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.

Bookmark removed

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.

Bookmark removed

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.

Bookmark removed

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.

Bookmark removed