puṇyo gandhaḥ pṛithivyāṁ cha tejaśh chāsmi vibhāvasau
jīvanaṁ sarva-bhūteṣhu tapaśh chāsmi tapasviṣhu
puṇyaḥ — pure;
gandhaḥ — fragrance;
pṛithivyām — of the earth;
cha — and;
tejaḥ — brilliance;
cha — and;
asmi — I am;
vibhāvasau — in the fire;
jīvanam — the life-force;
sarva — in all;
bhūteṣhu — beings;
tapaḥ — penance;
cha — and;
asmi — I am;
tapasviṣhu — of the ascetics
In this verse, Krishna is telling us about certain qualities and elements in our world that reflect His presence. When he says 'I am the original fragrance of the earth,' he means that just like flowers or fresh soil have a pleasant smell that can be calming and uplifting, he is that pure essence. This fragrance represents something clean and beautiful that connects us to nature. Think about how often we feel good when we smell fresh flowers or the earth after rain; that’s a glimpse of how Krishna is present in that fragrance.
Next, when he says 'I am the heat in fire,' he refers to the warmth and energy that fire brings. Fire is important in our daily lives— it cooks our food, warms our homes, and even helps in manufacturing things. The heat that we feel when we stand near a fire is part of Krishna’s essence. It symbolizes life, energy, and transformation. Without fire, we would struggle to live in comfort, as it plays a key role in many aspects of survival and activity.
When Krishna mentions, 'I am the life of all that lives,' he points out that everything that has life, whether it’s a plant, an animal, or a person, has this vital force that comes from him. This means he is the reason for all living things existing and thriving. Just like we need food, water, and air to live, there is a deeper life force that supports and nourishes us, and that is Krishna.
Lastly, when he says 'I am the penances of all ascetics,' he highlights the discipline and efforts of those who seek spiritual growth. Ascetics are people who dedicate themselves to spiritual practices, often giving up physical comforts to reach a higher understanding. Krishna is saying that their hard work and dedication in trying to get closer to the divine nature is also a reflection of him.
In summary, this verse is about recognizing that Krishna is not just a distant figure in a text; he is the essence of everything around us. Whether it's the sweet smell of nature, the warmth from a fire, the life force in all living creatures, or the dedication of those who strive for spiritual growth, all these elements contain a part of Krishna. This teaches us to see the beauty and divinity in the simple things around us and reminds us that Krishna’s influence is present in every aspect of our lives.