Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10, Verse 31

English Translation

Of the purifiers I am air; among the wielders of weapons I am Rama. Among fishes, too, I am the shark; I am Ganga among rivers.

Detailed Commentary

10.31. Elucidation: 'Pavanah pavatām asmi' – By air alone are all things purified, and from air comes health. Therefore, among purifiers, Bhagavan has declared Vayu (wind) to be His Vibhuti (divine manifestation). 'Rāmah shastrabhr̥tāmahaṁ' – Rama is an Avatar, Bhagavan Himself manifest, yet among weapon-wielders, Rama is supreme. Therefore, Bhagavan has declared Rama to be His Vibhuti. 'Jhaṣāṇāṁ makarashca asmi' – Among aquatic creatures, the crocodile (makara) is the most powerful; therefore, among water-dwellers, Bhagavan has declared the makara to be His Vibhuti. 'Srotasām asmi Jāhnavī' – Among all rivers, streams, and springs, the Ganga river is supreme. She is the sacred water from Bhagavan's feet and grants liberation through her meritorious influence. Depositing the ashes of departed humans in the Ganga ensures their higher destiny (sadgati). Therefore, Bhagavan has declared her to be His Vibhuti. In the true sense, the greatness lies not in these Vibhutis themselves, but in Bhagavan, for their distinctiveness originates solely from Him. Arjuna had two questions: how to know Bhagavan, and the means to know Him. The means is to meditate upon Bhagavan in His Vibhutis, and its fruit will be to know Bhagavan in essence (tattva). For example, Bhagavan has declared Rama among weapon-wielders and Vasudeva among the Vrishnis to be His Vibhutis. This has been stated for the purpose of meditating upon Him, and its fruit will be to know Him in essence as Bhagavan. It should be understood that the same principle applies to all Vibhutis. Whenever we perceive any distinction, uniqueness, or beauty in the world, attributing it to the object or individual causes delusion, and one becomes entangled in it. Therefore, Bhagavan has stated that such distinguishing qualities should not be considered as belonging to the object or individual, but as Mine. If you meditate upon Me, holding this understanding, your worldly thoughts will cease, and I will manifest. The result will be that you will know Me in essence (tattva), and your unwavering devotion to Me will be established (Gita 10.7).