Chapter 10, Verse 37 (Bhagavad Gita 10.37)
Chapter 10: Vibhūti Yog – Yoga through Appreciating the Infinite Opulences of God
Sanskrit Shloka
वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनंजयः। मुनीनामप्यहं व्यासः कवीनामुशना कविः
Transliteration
vṛiṣhṇīnāṁ vāsudevo ’smi pāṇḍavānāṁ dhanañjayaḥ munīnām apyahaṁ vyāsaḥ kavīnām uśhanā kaviḥ
Word Meanings
vṛiṣhṇīnām—amongst the descendants of Vrishni; vāsudevaḥ—Krishna, the son of Vasudev; asmi—I am; pāṇḍavānām—amongst the Pandavas; dhanañjayaḥ—Arjun, the conqueror of wealth; munīnām—amongst the sages; api—also; aham—I; vyāsaḥ—Ved Vyas; kavīnām—amongst the great thinkers; uśhanā—Shukracharya; kaviḥ—the thinker
Translation
Among the Vrishnis I am Vaasudeva, among the Pandavas I am Arjuna, among the sages I am Vyasa, and among the poets I am Usanas, the sage-poet.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound declaration, Bhagwan Shri Krishna reveals that He is the essential core and the ultimate glory within every manifestation of excellence. By identifying Himself as the greatest among specific groups, He invites the seeker to look beyond the external form and perceive the divine presence sustaining all existence. Just as He resides in the heroism of Arjuna and the wisdom of Vyasa, He dwells within the heart of every soul as the inner controller. Recognizing this divine immanence transforms one's vision, allowing a devotee to see Shri Krishna in all things and eventually surrender to the Supreme truth. This realization is the path to liberation, as the soul shifts from worldly identification to an eternal, loving communion with the Source.