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Bhagwad Gita (English) | Chapter 10 | Verse 22

Chapter 10, Verse 22

The Opulence of the Absolute

Of the Vedas I am the Sama-veda; of the demigods I am Indra; of the senses I am the mind, and in living beings I am the living force [knowledge].

Verse

वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासवः।
इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चास्मि भूतानामस्मि चेतना।।10.22।।


vedānāṁ sāma-vedo ’smi devānām asmi vāsavaḥ
indriyāṇāṁ manaśh chāsmi bhūtānām asmi chetanā

Meaning of each word

vedānām — amongst the Vedas;
sāma-vedaḥ — the Sāma Veda;
asmi — I am;
devānām — of all the celestial gods;
asmi — I am;
vāsavaḥ̣ — Indra;
indriyāṇām — of amongst the senses;
manaḥ — the mind;
ca — and;
asmi — I am;
bhūtānām — amongst the living beings;
asmi — I am;
chetanā — consciousness

Interpretation

In this verse, Lord Krishna is highlighting important aspects of different aspects of existence. He begins by stating that among all the spiritual texts known as the Vedas, He is the Sama-Veda. The Vedas are ancient scriptures that contain knowledge about life, spirituality, and how to live in harmony with the universe. The Sama-Veda is known for its melodies and chants, emphasizing the musical and harmonious aspects of spirituality. This tells us that Krishna represents the highest level of wisdom and knowledge found in these texts, encouraging us to seek understanding through such teachings.

Next, Krishna says that of all demigods, He is Indra. Indra is considered the king of the celestial gods, known for his power and strength. By identifying with Indra, Krishna is showing us that He embodies authority and protection over the universe. This means that just as Indra watches over and protects all beings, Krishna does the same in a universal manner, providing safety and support.

Then, Krishna mentions that among the senses, He is the mind. Our senses—like sight, hearing, and touch—allow us to experience the world around us. However, the mind is even more important because it processes all this information. It helps us think, feel, and make decisions. By stating He is the mind, Krishna reveals that He is the source of our thoughts and consciousness. This highlights the importance of being aware and mindful in how we perceive our reality, as our thoughts shape our experiences.

Finally, Krishna says that in living beings, He represents consciousness or the life force. This is a crucial point because it indicates that all living things possess a spark of divine energy that gives them life and awareness. Unlike inanimate objects, which do not have consciousness, living beings, including us, have the divine element of awareness within us. This means that our ability to think, feel, and be aware is not just a biological function but is linked to a higher spiritual presence.

In summary, Krishna is teaching us that He is integral to the essence of knowledge, power, awareness, and life itself. He is reminding us that the consciousness we experience is a divine gift and that we should nurture it through knowledge, mindfulness, and spiritual practice. This connects us to the larger universe and to each other, as we all share this life force.

Other Verses of Chapter 10
Verse 1
The Supreme Lord said: My dear friend, mighty-armed Arjuna, listen again to My supreme word, which I shall impart to you for your benefit and which will give you great joy.
Verse 2
Neither the hosts of demigods nor the great sages know My origin, for, in every respect, I am the source of the demigods and the sages.
Verse 3
He who knows Me as the unborn, as the beginningless, as the Supreme Lord of all the worlds-he, undeluded among men, is freed from all sins.
Verse 4
Intellect, wisdom, non-delusion, forgiveness, truth, self-restraint, calmness, happiness, pain, existence or birth, non-existence or death, fear, and also fearlessness.
Verse 5
Non-injury, equanimity, contentment, austerity, beneficence, fame, and ill-fame—these different qualities of beings arise from Me alone.
Verse 6
The seven great sages and before them the four other great sages and the Manus [progenitors of mankind] are born out of My mind, and all creatures in these planets descend from them.
Verse 7
He who knows in truth this glory and power of Mine engages in unalloyed devotional service; of this there is no doubt.
Verse 8
I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who know this perfectly engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.
Verse 9
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me.
Verse 10
To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.
Verse 11
Out of compassion for them, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.
Verse 12
Arjuna said, "You are the Supreme Brahman, the supreme abode, the supreme purifier, eternal, divine Person, the primeval God, unborn, and omnipresent."
Verse 13
All the sages have thus declared Thee, as also the divine sage Narada; so also Asita, Devala, and Vyasa; and now Thou Thyself dost say so to me.
Verse 14
O Krsna, I totally accept as truth all that You have told me. Neither the gods nor demons, O Lord, know Thy personality.
Verse 15
Indeed, You alone know Yourself by Your own potencies, O origin of all, Lord of all beings, God of gods, O Supreme Person, Lord of the universe!
Verse 16
Please tell me in detail of Your divine powers by which You pervade all these worlds and abide in them.
Verse 17
How should I meditate on You? In what various forms are You to be contemplated, O Blessed Lord?
Verse 18
Tell me again in detail, O Janardana [Krsna], of Your mighty potencies and glories, for I never tire of hearing Your ambrosial words.
Verse 19
The Blessed Lord said: Yes, I will tell you of My splendorous manifestations, but only of those which are prominent, O Arjuna, for My opulence is limitless.
Verse 20
I am the Self, O Gudakesa, seated in the hearts of all creatures. I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings.
Verse 21
Of the Adityas I am Vishnu, of lights I am the radiant sun, I am Marici of the Maruts, and among the stars I am the moon.
Verse 23
Of all the Rudras I am Lord Siva; of the Yaksas and Raksasas I am the lord of wealth [Kuvera]; of the Vasus I am fire [Agni], and of the mountains I am Meru.
Verse 24
Of priests, O Arjuna, know Me to be the chief, Brhaspati, the lord of devotion. Of generals I am Skanda, the lord of war; and of bodies of water I am the ocean.
Verse 25
Of the great sages I am Bhrgu; of vibrations I am the transcendental om. Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa], and of immovable things I am the Himalayas.
Verse 26
Of all trees I am the holy fig tree, and amongst sages and demigods I am Narada. Of the singers of the gods [Gandharvas] I am Citraratha, and among perfected beings I am the sage Kapila.
Verse 27
Of horses know Me to be Uccaihsrava, who rose out of the ocean, born of the elixir of immortality; of lordly elephants I am Airavata, and among men I am the monarch.
Verse 28
Of weapons I am the thunderbolt; among cows I am the surabhi, givers of abundant milk. Of procreators I am Kandarpa, the god of love, and of serpents I am Vasuki, the chief.
Verse 29
Of the celestial Naga snakes I am Ananta; of the aquatic deities I am Varuna. Of departed ancestors I am Aryama, and among the dispensers of law I am Yama, lord of death.
Verse 30
Among the Daitya demons I am the devoted Prahlada; among subduers I am time; among the beasts I am the lion, and among birds I am Garuda, the feathered carrier of Visnu.
Verse 31
Of purifiers I am the wind; of the wielders of weapons I am Rama; of fishes I am the shark, and of flowing rivers I am the Ganges.
Verse 32
Of all creations I am the beginning and the end and also the middle, O Arjuna. Of all sciences I am the spiritual science of the Self, and among logicians I am the conclusive truth.
Verse 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, whose manifold faces turn everywhere.
Verse 34
I am all-devouring death, and I am the generator of all things yet to be. Among women I am fame, fortune, speech, memory, intelligence, faithfulness and patience.
Verse 35
Of hymns I am the Brhat-sama sung to the Lord Indra, and of poetry I am the Gayatri verse, sung daily by brahmanas. Of months I am November and December, and of seasons I am flower-bearing spring.
Verse 36
I am also the gambling of cheats, and of the splendid I am the splendor. I am victory, I am adventure, and I am the strength of the strong.
Verse 37
Of the descendants of Vrsni I am Vasudeva, and of the Pandavas I am Arjuna. Of the sages I am Vyasa, and among great thinkers I am Usana.
Verse 38
Among punishments I am the rod of chastisement, and of those who seek victory, I am morality. Of secret things I am silence, and of the wise I am wisdom.
Verse 39
Furthermore, O Arjuna, I am the generating seed of all existences. There is no being-moving or unmoving-that can exist without Me.
Verse 40
O mighty conqueror of enemies, there is no end to My divine manifestations. What I have spoken to you is but a mere indication of My infinite opulences.
Verse 41
Know that all beautiful, glorious, and mighty creations spring from but a spark of My splendor.
Verse 42
But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe.
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