Chapter 10.2 Vibhuti Yoga (Yoga of the Divine Glories) Slokas 19-30
From sloka 19 onwards, Lord Sri Krishna describes His glories to Arjuna.
19. The Blessed Lord said:
Very well! I will now declare to you My divine glories, immanent in their prominence, O best of the Kurus! there is no end to the details of My manifestation.
In the following slokas, the Lord explains that He is the best of everything and anything that is seen and unseen.
20. aham atma gudakesha sarva-bhutasaya-sthitah
aham aadis ca madhyam ca bhutanam anta eva ca
“I am the Self, O Gudakesa (Arjuna), seated in the hearts of all beings. I am the beginning, the middle and also the end of all beings.”
Bhagavan Krishna says that “He is the Self (the Atman), which is seated in the hearts of all beings”. The word “heart” in scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads like Katopanishad, does not refer to the anatomical organ called the heart, that pumps blood.
Swami Chinmayanandaji explains that “Heart is a conceptual center in the mind, from where all positive and noble thoughts of love and tenderness, kindness and charity, devotion and surrender, constantly spring up.” -
The word Self in Bhagavad Gita indicates Atman or Brahman, which is “seated (Exists) in the hearts of all beings” as per this sloka.
In simple terms, The Self can be explained as “God without a form” (Nirguna Brahman) whereas Lord Krishna, Lord Siva, Lord Rama, Lord Ganesha, Lord Murugan (Karthikeyan), Goddess Parvathi and Goddess Lakshmi can be considered as “God with a form” (Saguna Brahman). As per Lord Krishna, it is easier for a person to worship a God with a form before eventually Realizing that everything in this universe is Brahman.
(Nirguna = without qualities. Saguna = with qualities)
Sri Kishna here refers to Arjuna as Gudakesa (one who has conquered sleep – to defeat his enemies).
Bhagavan further says that He (The Self) is the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings.
For further description of the Self, please refer to Chapter 2.
21. aadityanam aham vishnur jyotishaam ravir amsumaan
maricir marutaam asmi nakshatranaam aham shashi
Among the Aadityas, I am “Vishnu”; among the lights, I am the radiant “Sun”; I am “Marici” among the maruts ; and among asterisms, I am the “Moon”.
Adityas are twelve in number, and they represent the various months of the year and Vishnu is the foremost. In the Vishnu Sahasranama, Vishnu is attributed as the sun god traversing the universe as Suryanarayana. The Maruts (wind gods) are the presiding deity of the wind, anything from gentle breeze to storms. Maruts are also sons of Rudra and Marichi is the chief among them (as per Rig Veda).
Among “nakshatraas” (asterisms in the moon’s path), the moon (Shashi) is the most beautiful.
It is interesting to note that the Lord mentions the sun and the moon since the sun illumines the day, and the moon illumines the night.
22. vedanam sama-vedo ’smi devanam asmi vasavah
indriyanam manas ca ‘smi bhutanam asmi cetana
Among the Vedas, I am the “Sama Veda”; Among the Gods, I am “Indra”, the king of heaven; among the senses, I am the “mind”; and in living beings I am the “Intelligence”.
One of Lord Vishnu’s names is Samaga (chanter of Sama veda). Sama veda is the essence of Rig Veda sung in beautiful music, rhythm and melody. Vasava is another name for Indra, the Lord of the devas. Mind is considered as the master of the senses. We are all aware that intelligence is one of the most important things in a living being. When we come across an extraordinarily intelligent person, let us not forget that their intelligence represents the Lord in them.
23. Among all the Rudras, I am “Sankara” (Shiva); among the Yakshas and Rakshasas, “I am the Lord of wealth” (Kubera); among the Vasus, I am “fire” (Agni), and among the mountains, I am the “Meru”.
Rudras are eleven in number. Sankara (Lord Shiva) among these eleven, is the “do-er of good” (Sham karoti iti Shankara), as His name indicates. Through distress, Lord Shiva takes the devotees directly towards God.
Yakshas are fond of acquiring wealth and they belong to celestials. Rakshasas are also celestials, but the difference is that they love to hoard wealth. The Lord of wealth is Kubera. Though wealth is transient in nature, it gives certain powers (for example to donate to your temple or any worthy cause like helping someone in need) and so it is described here as a Glory of God.
The eight Vasus are land, water, fire, air, ether, moon, sun and star. Among these, Pavaka (fire), sustains life and gives warmth as Lord’s manifestation.
Mount Meru is a mythological mountain, with an altitude of 7000-8000 miles. It is described that from its top, river Ganga flows in all directions. On top of Mount Meru is the Divine and below it are the seven islands that constitute the world. From the peak of Mount Meru, spiritual Knowledge flows in all four directions to bless everyone.
We learn from Mahabharatha that before going to heaven to obtain celestial weapons from his celestial father Indra, Arjuna prayed to the Mount Meru, thanking it for all the protection it gave during the time the Pandavas lived in the forest.
24. Among the priests, O Partha, know Me to be the chief, “Brihaspati”; among the generals, I am “Skanda” (Kartikeya), and among the lakes, I am the “Ocean”.
Seekers of wisdom pray to Brihaspati, who is the preceptor of the Devas. The son of Lord Shiva is called Kartikeya (Murugan) and he is depicted as a brave warrior. The Ocean is God’s Glory since it is infinite among the bodies of water.
25. maharsinam bhrgur aham giram asmy ekam aksharam
yajnanam japa-yajno ’smi sthavaranam himalayah
Among the great sages, I am “Bhrigu”; among words, I am the monosyllable “Om”; among sacrifices, I am the “japa yajna”; and among immovable things, I am the “Himalayas”.
Maharishi Bhrigu is famous. He is the one who recited the Dharmasastra of Manu. He is the mind born son of Brahmaji and is credited with authoring astrology.
Om is called Pranava mantram and is considered as “Shabdha Brahman” (sound of Brahman).
“Om iti Brahma. Om iti idagam sarvam” roars Taittiriya Upanishad. The meaning of this is “Om is Brahman, all “this” (the waking state, the dream state and the deep-sleep state of consciousness) is Om”).
Here Bhagavan says that among words, He is the “monosyllable Om”. “Om” transcends the three states of consciousness as well as it transcends time.
Among the yajnas (sacrifices), the Lord says that He is the “Japa Yajna”. (“Yajnaanaam japa-yajnosmi”). Japa is repeating your chosen mantram and is one of the most effective ways of installing devotion in our mind. When we chant repeatedly “Om nama Shivaaya” or “Om namo Narayanaya” or “Shri Ram Jeya Ram Jeya Jeya Ram”, we are in tuned with the Lord in us and is the most effective way of attaining moksha in Kali Yugam.
Among the immovable things, the Lord here indicates He is the Himalayas, which is the tallest mountain in the world.
26. Among all trees, I am the “Asvattha” tree, among the Deva Rishis I am “Narada”. Among the Gandharvas, I am “Citraratha”, and among the siddhas, I am the “Kapila muni”.
Asvattha is the peepul tree, belonging to the banyan family and is considered as holy. This tree is considered spiritually as all-pervading and imperishable.
In chapter 15 of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna explains that this tree has the following aspects:
“It’s root is above, and its branches are below and its leaves are the Vedas. He who knows this is the knower of the Vedas.”
Among the devas, those who are spiritually enlightened are called Deva rishis. Narada muni is the most well-known Sage among the Deva rishis. The interesting thing about Deva rishi Narada is that he always sings the Glory of Bhagavan, and his presence causes “what appears to be” disturbance and unhappiness. But in the end, it ends up as a blessing in disguise for all devotees. It is said that contact with Deva rishi Narada is contact with God himself.
Gandharvas are celestials, who can see anything and everything in the three worlds (Heaven, earth and the netherworld) and they are superior to humans in certain aspects. Their leader is Chitraratha, who was defeated by Arjuna. Subsequently they became friends. His father was Kashyapa Prajapathi.
Kapila muni, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, established the Sankhya yoga. The term muni refers to one who has mastery over the art of reflection (“mananam”). (One who reflects on the true nature of the Self).
27. Among horses, know Me to be “Ucchaisravas”, produced during the churning of the ocean for nectar. Among lordly elephants, I am “Airavata”, and among men I am the “King”.
I am sure all of you are familiar with the churning of the milky ocean, where the horse Ucchaisravas and also the famous elephant Airavata came out. King is someone who is the leader among men in executing orders in a dharmic fashion to make sure everyone is taken care of.
28. Among the weapons, I am the “thunderbolt”; among cows, I am the “Kamadhuk”. Among causes for procreation, I am “Kandarpa”, the god of love, and among serpents, I am “Vasuki”.
Vajra (Thunderbolt) is the most powerful weapon of Indra, produced by the sacrifice of sage Dadichi. Kamadhuk is the “wish fulfilling cow” produced from the churning of the milky ocean.
Kandarpa is the “god of Love” (like the Roman’s cupid). Procreation and maintenance of population is possible because of Kandarpa, and so it is a Glory of God.
Sarpas (serpents) are snakes and Vasuki among them, volunteered to be used as a rope in the churning of the milky ocean. Also, Vasuki coils around the neck of Lord Shiva.
29. Among the Nagas, I am “Ananta”, and among the water-deities, I am “Varuna”. Among the departed ancestors, I am “Aryama”, and among the dispensers of law, I am “Yama”, the lord of death.
The Nagas are many hooded snakes. Among the Nagas, Ananta or Ananta Shesha is the one that Vishnu Bhagavan rests on. Varuna is the king of water deities. Aryama is the presiding deity of Pitrus (departed ancestors).
Yama (Lord of death) dispenses punishment according to the individual’s good and bad deeds and this action (dispensing law) is a Vibhuti (Glory) of God.
Lord has the final word and death does not differentiate between the people. Death should be viewed as a change from one plane of consciousness to another and a new beginning. (Based on what a person did in their life). Reincarnation is one of the hallmarks of teaching in Sanatana (Eternal) Dharma (Hinduism). As the Lord says here “I am the generating principle of all that is yet to be” (means I am the beginning of all beings).
30. prahladas ca ‘smi daityanam kalah kalayatam aham
mrganam ca mrgendro ’ham vainateyas ca paksinam
Among the Daityas, I am the devoted “Prahlada”: among subduers, I am “Time”, among beasts, I am the “Lion”, and among birds, I am “Garuda”.
Prahalada had unshaken devotion to Narayana Bhagavan, even though born in an asura family and his father was the sworn enemy of Narayana Bhagavan. Time (Kala) subdues even the most powerful of men on earth when their appointed time comes. Lion, as we know, is the king among animals. Among the birds, The Lord says that He is Vainateya (Garuda), the vehicle of Lord Vishnu.
So far, In the tenth chapter called Vibhuti Yoga (Yoga of the Divine Glories), Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that a person who knows him as unborn and beginningless is liberated from all sins. Bhagavan further explains that even the devas and the rishis do not know of His origin. Arjuna praises the Lord and requests Him to guide him as to how he can constantly meditate upon the Lord and in what forms he should meditate upon him. In the rest of this chapter, the Lord describes more of his Divine Glories in detail.
We will see further details in 10.3
Hari Om!
Dr. Shanmugam