Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10, Verse 24

English Translation

O son of Prtha, know me to be Brhaspati, the foremost among the priests of kings. Among comanders of armies I am Skanda; among large expanses of water I am the sea.

Detailed Commentary

Commentary—'Among the *Purohitas*, know Me, O Partha, to be Brihaspati.' Among all the *Purohitas* (priests) in the world, Brihaspati is supreme in knowledge and wisdom. He is the Guru (preceptor) of Indra and the *Purohita* of the Devas. Therefore, the Lord has told Arjuna to consider Brihaspati as His *Vibhuti* (divine manifestation). 'Among commanders, I am Skanda.' Skanda (Kartikeya) is the son of Shiva. He has six faces and twelve arms. He is the commander of the Devas and supreme among all commanders. Therefore, the Lord has declared him as His *Vibhuti*. 'Among reservoirs, I am Sagara.' Among all the reservoirs of water on this Earth, the ocean is the largest. The ocean is the lord of all reservoirs, maintaining its bounds and profound. Therefore, the Lord has declared it as His *Vibhuti*. The special quality seen in these *Vibhutis* here is not their own, but belongs to the Lord, and has originated from the Lord alone. Therefore, by beholding them, one should remember the Lord alone.