āyudhānām ahaṁ vajraṁ dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk
prajanaśh chāsmi kandarpaḥ sarpāṇām asmi vāsukiḥ
āyudhānām — amongst weapons;
aham — I;
vajram — the Vajra (thunderbolt);
dhenūnām — amongst cows;
asmi — I am;
kāma-dhuk — Kamdhenu;
prajanaḥ — amongst causes for procreation;
cha — and;
asmi — I am;
kandarpaḥ — Kaamdev, the god of love;
sarpāṇām — amongst serpents;
asmi — I am;
vāsukiḥ — serpent Vasuki
In this verse, Krishna is explaining different things or beings that He represents. Let's break it down in simple terms:
1. **Among Weapons, He is the Thunderbolt:** When Krishna says He is the thunderbolt (vajra), think of it as a symbol of very strong power. A thunderbolt is not just any weapon; it's extremely powerful and can cause great impact. This means that in the world of weapons, Krishna represents the ultimate strength, something that is mighty and cannot be ignored.
2. **Among Cows, He is the Surabhi:** Krishna refers to a special cow called Surabhi, which is known to give endless milk. This cow doesn't exist in our normal world but is said to be in Krishna's spiritual realm (Krsnaloka). The idea here is that Surabhi represents abundance and the ability to provide whatever one desires. It's like saying that where Krishna is, there is always enough nourishment and care. This emphasizes how Krishna looks after those who are devoted to Him.
3. **Among Procreators, He is Kandarpa:** Kandarpa is the god of love and procreation, often linked to creating families and having children. When Krishna identifies with Kandarpa, it speaks to the idea that Krishna embodies the intention behind acts of intimacy that lead to the creation of good, virtuous offspring. So, in a way, He symbolizes love that is meaningful, not just physical pleasure. This implies that love should have a purpose, like bringing good people into the world.
4. **Among Serpents, He is Vasuki:** Vasuki is a prominent serpent in Indian mythology. Here, Krishna identifies with Vasuki to show that even among creatures that can sometimes be feared, He is in control. Vasuki represents strength and is often depicted as supporting the world in many stories. By saying He is Vasuki, Krishna shows that He embodies power and mastery over all living beings, even those that could be seen as dangerous.
Overall, Krishna is explaining how He is present in various elements of creation, highlighting that He is the source of strength, nourishment, meaningful love, and control over powerful beings. This verse reassures devotees that Krishna is everywhere and influences all aspects of life, whether it is the strength of a weapon, the nurturing nature of a cow, the essence of love, or the command of powerful creatures.