Chapter 10, Verse 23 (Bhagavad Gita 10.23)
Chapter 10: Vibhūti Yog – Yoga through Appreciating the Infinite Opulences of God
Sanskrit Shloka
रुद्राणां शङ्करश्चास्मि वित्तेशो यक्षरक्षसाम्। वसूनां पावकश्चास्मि मेरुः शिखरिणामहम्
Transliteration
rudrāṇāṁ śhaṅkaraśh chāsmi vitteśho yakṣha-rakṣhasām vasūnāṁ pāvakaśh chāsmi meruḥ śhikhariṇām aham
Word Meanings
rudrāṇām—amongst the Rudras; śhaṅkaraḥ—Lord Shiv; cha—and; asmi—I am; vitta-īśhaḥ—the god of wealth and the treasurer of the celestial gods; yakṣha—amongst the semi-divine demons; rakṣhasām—amongst the demons; vasūnām—amongst the Vasus; pāvakaḥ—Agni (fire); cha—and; asmi—I am; meruḥ—Mount Meru; śhikhariṇām—amongst the mountains; aham—I am
Translation
Among the Rudras, I am Shankara; among the Yakshas and Rakshasas, I am Kubera, the Lord of Wealth; among the Vasus, I am Pavaka (Fire); and among the mountains, I am Meru.
Meaning & Commentary
In this verse, Bhagwan Shri Krishna reveals His omnipresence, explaining that the excellence and glory found in all beings are but reflections of His own divine essence. By identifying Himself with the supreme representatives of various categories, Lord Krishna teaches the seeker to perceive the Divine in every aspect of the manifest universe. This realization shifts the devotee's vision from the fragmented material world toward the eternal Brahman, facilitating a path of surrender. Through this meditation, the seeker transcends limited perception and recognizes that all power and majesty ultimately originate from the Supreme Lord Krishna. Ultimately, this knowledge leads the soul to liberation by dissolving the illusion of separation between the devotee and the Divine.