maharṣhīṇāṁ bhṛigur ahaṁ girām asmyekam akṣharam
yajñānāṁ japa-yajño ’smi sthāvarāṇāṁ himālayaḥ
mahā-ṛiṣhīṇām — among the great seers;
bhṛiguḥ — Bhrigu;
aham — I;
girām — amongst chants;
asmi — I am;
ekam akṣharam — the syllable Om;
yajñānām — of sacrifices;
japa-yajñaḥ — sacrifice of the devotional repetition of the divine names of God;
asmi — I am;
sthāvarāṇām — amongst immovable things;
himālayaḥ — the Himalayas
In this verse from the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna explains how He is present in various significant forms and aspects of life. First, He mentions Bhrgu, who is known as one of the greatest sages or wise people. Bhrgu is considered a powerful figure who has contributed greatly to spiritual knowledge. By saying "Of the great sages I am Bhrgu," Krishna expresses that among all wise beings, Bhrgu holds a special place, and this is a reflection of Krishna's greatness.
Next, Krishna refers to the syllable "Om." This sound is very important in spiritual practices and represents the essence of the universe. It is often used in chants and is seen as a powerful vibration. When Krishna says, "Of vibrations I am the transcendental om," it means that He is the ultimate source that gives meaning and energy to this sacred sound.
Then, Krishna talks about sacrifices, a common practice in spiritual traditions. He states that "of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa]." In this case, the most cherished and meaningful way to connect with the divine is through repeating holy names, such as the mantra "Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare." This form of devotion is considered very pure and non-violent compared to other sacrifices which may involve harm to animals. By encouraging the repetition of these names, Krishna highlights that this form of worship is simple yet deeply effective in developing a connection with Him.
Finally, Krishna mentions the Himalayas, noting that "of immovable things I am the Himalayas." The Himalayas are majestic, tall mountains that symbolize strength and stability. By referring to the Himalayas, Krishna emphasizes that He is present in these great and permanent natural formations. While there are other mountains like Meru, which were mentioned earlier and are sometimes thought to be movable, the Himalayas are seen as more permanent and thus stronger, making them a fitting representation of Krishna's divine nature.
In summary, Krishna is explaining how He embodies greatness in many forms: as the foremost sage Bhrgu, as the powerful sound Om, as the purest form of worship through chanting, and as the mighty Himalayas, which stand firm and tall. This means that all these elements in the world are reflections of Him, highlighting His omnipresence and the beauty of devotion in its simplest forms.