Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 10 Vibhuti Yogah

Vibhuti Yogah - The Blessed Lord said: Very well, I shall tell you of My divine glories, but only the principal ones, O best of the Kurus, for there is no end to their detail.

श्रीभगवानुवाच हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि दिव्या ह्यात्मविभूतय: |
प्राधान्यत: कुरुश्रेष्ठ नास्त्यन्तो विस्तरस्य मे ||19||

The Blessed Lord said: Very well, I shall tell you of My divine glories, but only the principal ones, O best of the Kurus, for there is no end to their detail.

Pradhanyatah: Chiefly or primarily.
Kuru-shreshtha: Best among the Kurus, referring to Arjuna.
Vistarasya: Expanse or extent.

Krishna prepares to reveal the principal aspects of his cosmic powers, emphasizing their infinite nature. This sets the stage for a profound exploration of divinity, where highlights of his omnipresence are shared with Arjuna.

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अहमात्मा गुडाकेश सर्वभूताशयस्थित: |
अहमादिश्च मध्यं च भूतानामन्त एव च ||20||

I am the Self, O Gudakesha, seated in the hearts of all creatures. I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of all beings.

Gudakesha: A name for Arjuna, meaning one who has conquered sleep.
Ashaya: The seat or dwelling, often referring to the heart.
Anta: The end or conclusion.

Krishna asserts himself as the soul of all beings, emphasizing his presence as the essence of life and creation. This declaration deepens Arjuna’s understanding of Krishna’s integral role in the fabric of existence.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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