b—ýàõiv]§] brahma vidya ûim]¤g]v]t]/ g]it]]...

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b—ýÀõiv]§] Brahma Vidya

Bhagvat Gita Jun 8, 2015 Chapter 10

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ÛIm]¤g]v]t]/ g]It]] dx]m]o%Dy]]y]: iv]B]Uit] yçg]:

dax]mo%Dyy]: - iv}BUit} yçg]: Chapter 10

Volume 5 p¶roD]s]]\ c] m¶Ky} m]]\ iv]i£ p]]T]* b³hsp]it]\ | p¶roD]s\ c] m¶Kyam m\ ivwi£w prT]* b³hasp]itw\ |

son]]n]In]]m]h\ s¿nd: s]rs]]m]ism] s]]g]r: || 10 – 24 sennInm ]ha\ skanda: s]rasm]ismw sg]ra: ||

m]hS]I*N]]\ B³g]rh\ ig]r]m]smyo¿m]X]rm]/ | m]harSI*N\ B³g]raha\ igwrm]smyekam]X]r]m/ |

y]$]]n]]\ j]p]y]$]o%ism] sT]]v]r]N]]\ ihm]]l]y]: || 10 – 25 y]jnyn\ j]p]y]jno%ismw sTv]r]N\ ihwml]y]: ||

aÃv]tT]: s]v]*v³X]]N]]\ dev]S]I*N]]\ c] n]]rd: | asv]tT]: s]rv] *v³XN]]\ dev]rSI*N\ c] nrada: |

g]nD]v]]*N]]\ ic]ˆ]rT]: is]£]n]]\ ¿ip]l]o m¶in]: || 10 – 26 g]nD]rv*N\ icwˆ]raT]: isw£n\ kaipwlo m¶inw: ||

[ccO: Û]v]s]m]Ãv]]n]]\ iv]i£ m]]m]m³t]o¤v]m]/ | [ccaw: Û]v]s]m]svn\ ivw£w mm]m³to¤av]m/ |

Aer]v]t]\ g]jon¨]N]]\ n]r]N]]\ c] n]r]iD]p]m]/ || 10 – 27 awrv]t]\ g]jen¨]N\ n]rN\ c] n]riDwp]m/ ||

a]y¶D]]n]]m]h\ v]j—\ Don]Un]]m]ism] ¿]m]D¶¿/ | y¶Dnm]ha\ v]j—a\ DenUnm]ismw km]D¶k |

p—j]n]º]ism] ¿ndp]*: s]p]*]N]]m]ism] v]]s¶i¿ : || 10 – 28 p—j]n]scismw kandarp]*: s]rp]Nm]ismw vs¶ikw: ||

an]nt]º]ism] n]]g]]n]]\ v]ruN]o y]]ds]]m]hm]/ | an]nt]iscsmw ngn\ v]ruNo ydasm]h]m/ |

ip]t]&&N]]m]y]*m]] c]]ism] y]m]: s]\y]m]t]]m]hm]/ || 10 – 29 ipwt&Nm]ry]*m c ismw y]m]: s]\y]m]tm]h]m/ ||




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p—ãl]]dº]ism] dEty]]n]]\ ¿]l]: ¿l]y]t]]m]hm]/ | p—aãldascismw dEtyn\ kl]: kal]y]tm]h]m/ |

m³g]]N]]\ c] m³gon¨o%h\ vOn]toy]º p]iX]N]]m]/ || 10 – 30 m³gN\ c] m³gen¨o%ha\ vawn]tey]sca p]iXwNm/ ||

B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vn has been pointing out some of His extraordinary manifestations in this creation as His Glories, each one of which is fit for Meditation as p]rmoÃv]r

p]ramesv]r Itself. As we may recall, in the verses we saw last time, Sri Krishna tells Arjuna:

1. Among the a]idty] dev]t]]s idwty] dev]ts, I am iv]SN¶ ivwSN¶ Devata. 2. Among the luminous heavenly bodies, I am The Sun with its radiant rays. 3. Among the Vayu Devatas, I am Marichi – the Wind. 4. Among the heavenly bodies, which shine at night, I am the Moon. 5. Among the Vedas, I am Sama Veda. 6. Among the Devas, I am Indra. 7. Among the Organs of perception and action, I am the Mind. 8. Among the living beings, I am Pure consciousness. 9. Among the Rudras, I am Sankara.

10. Among the celestial beings, y]X]s y]X]s and rX]s]s raX]s]s, I am Kubera. 11. Among the Vasu Devatas, I am Agni Devata, and 12. Among the mountain peaks, I am Meru – The Everest.

We must understand these statements properly. In the verses which follow also, B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vn calls attention to His Glories in a similar manner, saying, “I am this, I am this, I am this etc. By so saying, B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vn points out in essence, that p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r is The ONE in All; (iv]SN¶ sv]Ðp} ivwSN¶ sv]Ðpam)

In the next chapter, Chapter 11 on iv]Ãv]Ðp]dx]*n] y]og] ivwsv] Ðp] darx]*n] yog],

B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vn points out that p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r is All in ONE. (ix]v] sv]Ðp} xwv] sv]Ðpam).Thus the messages in this chapter and the next chapter simply




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reinforce, in an extraordinary manner what B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vn has said already in the earlier Chapter 9 as follows:

m]y]] t]t]im]d\ s]v]*m]/ j]g]dvy]•m]Uit]*n]] | m]y t]t]imwd]\ s]rv]*m/ j]g]dvy]•a mUritwn |

m]tsT]]in] s]v]*B]Ut]]in] n] c]]h\ toSv]v]isT]t]: || 9 – 4 m]tsTinw s]rv] *BUt inw n] cha\ teSv]v]isTwt]: || Thus, this Chapter and the next Chapter are essentially elaborations of the first line and the second line respectively in the above verse. In addition, each of these two Chapters has Upanishad Teachings of its own, which we will see, as we progress. First, let us briefly recall the meaning of the first line in the verse quoted above, namely,

m]y]] t]t]im]d\ s]v]*m]/ j]g]t]/ avy]•m]Uit]*n]] m]y t]t]imwda\ s]rv]*m/ j]g]t/ avy]•amUritw*n wd\ s]v]*m]/ j]g]t]/ wda\ s]rv]*m/ j]g]t /– This entire Universe is pervaded by Me, The p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r, in My avy]• sv]Ðp] avy]•a sv]Ðp] – in My Unmanifest Form. The avy]• sv]Ðp] avy]•a sv]Ðp] of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r is – s]t]/ ic]t]/ a]n]nd sv]Ðp] aX]r b—Àn]/, s]t/ icwt/ n]nd sv]Ðp aX]r b—aÀ]/n, which is The Ever-existent and Unchanging p]r p—¿ ëit] sv]Ðp] j]Iv]]tm]] p]r p—akëitw sv]Ðp]

jIvtm.

The wd\ s]v]*m]/ j]g]t]/ wda\ s]rv]*m/ j]g]t /– this entire Universe, is made up of the

p]Vc] m]h]B]Ut]s p]Vc] m]h]BUt]s – the Five Great Elements, together with Mind, b¶i£ b¶i£w and ah\¿]r ah\k]r and their infinite combinations, all of which constitute the ap]r p—¿ ëit] ap]ra p—akëitw or the m]]y]] p—¿ ëit] my p—akëitw of

p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r, which is ever subject to change.

Therefore, this ever-changing ap]r p—¿ ëit] ap]ra p—akëitw is pervaded by the never-changing p]r p—¿ ëit] p]ra p—akëitw of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r. That is the Message in the first line. i

That means, all the iv]B]Uit]s vwBUitws of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r are ap]r p—¿ ëit] ap]ra p—akëitw or m]]y]] p—¿ ëit] my p—akëitw of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r, and they are pervaded by the p]r p—¿ ëit] p]ra p—akëitw of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r which is the s]t]/ sv]Ðp] s]t/ sv]Ðp – the Existence sv]Ðp] sv]Ðp of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r. That




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s]t]/ sv]Ðp] – the Existence sv]Ðp] sv]Ðp of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r is in all that exist. This is not a trivial Message. It conveys the sanctity, The Divine nature of Existence, Existence Itself independent of its name, form and attributes (n]]m] Ðp] g¶N] nm] Ðp] g¶N]). Thus anything that exists, That Very Existence Itself, is p]rmoÃv]r

p]ramesv]r.

While n]]m] Ðp] g¶N] iv]xoS]s nm] Ðp] g¶N] ivwxeS]s – name, form, attributes etc. are manifestations of the m]]y]] power of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r, the Existence Itself is the s]t]/ sv]Ðp] s]t/ sv]Ðp of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r. That Existence is ONE, and It is in all that exist in this creation, including the creation itself. That is the essential Message here in this iv]B]Uit] y]og] ivwBUitw yog].

With this understanding, let us now continue with Sri Krishna’s verses on iv]B]Uit] y]og] ivwBUitw yog], where B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vn chooses illustrations of m]]y]] p—¿ ëit] my

p—akëitw, particularly suited to Arjuna’s mind-set, by virtue of his own knowledge, experience, values and beliefs. Sri Krishna says:

p¶roD]s]]\ c] m¶Ky} m]]\ iv]i£ p]]T]* b³hsp]it]\ | p¶roD]s\ c] m¶Kyam m\ ivwi£w prT]* b³hasp]itw\ |

son]]n]In]]\ ah\ s¿nd: s]rs]]\ aism] s]]g]r: || 10 – 24 sennInm ]ha\ skanda: s]rasm]ismw sg]ra: ||

p]]T]* prT]* – O! Arjuna, p¶roD]s]]\ c] m¶Ky} p¶roD]s\ c] m¶Kyam – Among the Chief-priests m]]\ b³hsp]it]\ iv]I£õ m\ b³hasp]itw\ ivI£w - please, know Me, think of ME,

Meditate on Me, The p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r, as b³hsp]it] b³hsp]itw. Every Vedic ritual has a Chief Priest, symbolically or in fact. Among all such Chief Priests, I am b³hsp]it] b³hsp]itw, says Sri Krishna. A priest is one who helps individuals and families to perform different Vedic rituals to gain their own desired ends. b³hsp]it] b³hsp]itw is both the Chief Priest as well as g¶Î g¶Î, b—Àiv]§]cÅy]* b—aÀa ivwdyÅcÅry]* for wn¨ wn¨a, the King of all Devas. Therefore b³hsp]it] b³hsp]itw is considered to be a Royal Priest, the exalted Chief among all the priests.




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b³hsp]it] b³hsp]itw is even superior to wn¨ wnä in the scale of spiritual evolution as we may recall from the a]n]nd m]Im]]\s] Ån]nda mImÅ\s] of Taittriya Upanishad, which says:

to yo x]t]\ wn¨sy]]n]nd]: te ye x]t]\ wnäsyÅn]nd]:

s] A¿o b³hsp]tor]n]nd: | s] Ako b³hsp]terÅn]nda: |

Û]oiˆ]y]sy] c]]¿]m]ht]sy] || Ûei wy]sy] cÅkÅm]hat]sy] ||

b³hsp]it] b³hsp]itw has the capacity to enjoy a 100 fold increase in a]n]nd Ån]nd – Happiness, compared to that enjoyed by wn¨ wnä, because of his still superior Û]oiˆ]y]tv} Ûoiˆwy]tvam and a¿]m]ht]tv} akÅm]hat]tvam. Û]oiˆ]y]tv} Ûoi wy]tvam

is cultivated level of God consciousness - b—À #]]n]\ b—aÀa #Ån]\, WÃv]r #]]n]\ Wsv]ra #Ån]\ gained through understanding, appreciation, and absorption of Upanishad knowledge; and, a¿]m]ht]tv} akÅm]hat]tvam is cultivated ability to overcome the destructive powers of one’s own r]g]-©eS] rÅg]-©eS] forces, forces of one’s own likes and dislikes. Cultivation of Û]oiˆ]y]tv} Ûoi wy]tvam and a¿]m]ht]tv} akÅm]hat]tvam is a continuing process in one’s endeavor for spiritual progress. Therefore, B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vÅn /says here, I am b³hsp]it] b³hsp]itw among Priests. Further,

son]]n]In]]\ ah\ s¿nd: senÅnInÅ\ aha\ skanda: - son]]p]t]In]]\ ah\ s¿nd: senÅp]tInÅ\ aha\ skanda: - Among the army commanders, I am s¿nd skanda. s¿nd skanda is well-known in our Puranas as the most victorious commander-in-chief of the Deva forces against the Asura forces, the forces of Good against the forces of evil. The Glory of s¿nd skanda is only the Glory of p]rmoÃv]r

p]ramesv]r.

s¿nd skanda literally means a person of deep knowledge and wisdom. In Chandogya Upanishad, B]g]v]]n]/ B]gv]n Sanatkumara, who is the b—Àiv]§õ]c]]y]* b—aÀia

vw§ÅcÅry] *for the sage Narada is referred to as s¿nd skanda. The name s¿nd skanda is also popularly associated with Lord Subramanya or Kartikeya worshipped as the very embodiment of Lord Siva, even to-day. s¿nd skanda or Lord Subramanya is especially worshipped by army commanders for victory in war and for protection from any kind of fear. Therefore, B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vÅn says – Among army-commanders, I am s¿nd skanda. Further,




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s]rs]]\ aism] s]]g]r: s]rasÅ\ aismw sÅg]ra: - Among the natural water-reservoirs, I am the Ocean. Ocean receives all waters and gives good waters as rain for all beings. The Ocean indicates the infinitude of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r. Merging one’s mind and b¶i£ b¶i£w in the vast expanse of the ocean is a form of worship of p]rmoÃv]r

p]ramesv]r. We worship ocean as p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r even to-day. Further, Sri Krishna says:

m]hS]I*N]]\ B³g]rh\ ig]r]m]smyo¿m]X]rm]/ | m]harSI*NÅ\ B³g]raha\ igwrÅm]smyekam]X]r]m/ |

y]$]]n]]\ j]p]y]$]o%ism] sT]]v]r]N]]\ ihm]]l]y]: || 10 – 25 y]jnyÅnÅ\ j]p]y]jno%ismw sTÅv]r]NÅ\ ihwmÅl]y]: ||

m]hS]I*N]]\ B³g]u: ah\ m]harSI*NÅ\ B³gu: aha\ - Among the great Rishis, I am Brigu. Brigu is one of the original seven Rishis born directly from the mind of p]rmoÃv]r

p]ramesv]r to carry out His Will in this creation (see verse 6) ig]r]\ aism] A¿\ aX]r\ igwrÅ\ aismw Aka\ aX]ra\ - Among speech sounds, among words which have meaning, I am the monosyllabic Word OM, because, ao \ wit] A¿]X]r\ b—À o\ witw Ak]X]ra\ b—aÀa – as Sri Krishna said earlier (8 – 13), - and also tO.[. says, ao \ wit] b—À o\ witw b—aÀa - ao \ wit] wd<\ s]v]* \ o\ witw

wda<\ s]rv]*\ - ao\ o\ is al-inclusive. ao\ o\ is both symbol for p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r, as well as, p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r Itself.

y]$]]n]]\ j]p]y]$]o%ism] y]jnÅnÅ\ j]p] y]jno%ismw- Among the various kinds of y]$]¿m]*s y]jn] karm]*s – especially Vedic rituals – I am j]p]y]$] j]p] y]jn]. j]p]y]$] j]p] y]jn] is mental repetition of B]g]v]]n]/‘s B]g]vÅn'S Name in some form, keeping the mind and b¶i£ b¶i£w focused on the Name and Form of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r being meditated upon. Generally every y]$]¿m]* y]jn] karm]*s – every Vedic ritual, involves both j]p] j]pa and hom] hom] (Havan or some form of Worship of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r). The purpose of j]p] j]p] is to gain moD]] meDÅ – intellectual vigor and memory, which means, Ability to think properly Ability to gain knowledge Ability to retain that knowledge, Ability of that knowledge to spring forth spontaneously when you need it most, and




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The power of one’s b¶i£ b¶i£w to guide and control one’s actions at all times. That kind of intellectual vigor and memory is called moD]] meDÅ.

The purpose of hom] hom] (Havan etc.) is to gain Û]I ÛI – Wealth of some kind. Thus j]p] j]pa is moD]] p—]ipt] s]]D]n} meDÅ p—Åiptw sÅD]nam – a means for gaining intellectual vigor and memory and hom] hom] is Û]I p—]ipt] s]]D]n} ÛI p—Åiptw

sÅD]nam – a means for gaining wealth of some kind. hom] hom] is always only after j]p] j]p]. First you pray for ability to think properly and then, you pray for wealth, because, without the ability to think properly, wealth is surely for self-destruction. That is why B]g]v]]n]/ B]gvÅ]n says y]$]]n]]\ j]p]y]$]o%ism] y]jnÅnÅ\ j]p] y]jno%ismw – among y]$] ¿m]* y]jn] karm]*s, I am j]p] y]$] j]p] y]jn].

sT]]v]r]N]]\ ihm]]l]y]: sTÅv]r]NÅ\ ihwmÅl]y]: - Among stationary objects in this creation, I am the mountain Himalaya. The Glory behind the vastness and majesty of the Himalayas is The Glory of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r Itself.

aÃv]tT]: s]v]*v³X]]N]]\ dev]S]I*N]]\ c] n]]rd: | asv]tT]: s]rv]*v ³XÅNÅ\ dev]rSI* NÅ\ c] nÅrada: |

g]nD]v]]*N]]\ ic]ˆ]rT]: is]£]n]]\ ¿ip]l]o m¶in]: || 10 – 26 g]nD]rvÅ *NÅ\ icwˆ]raT]: isw£Å nÅ\ kaipwlo m¶inw: ||

aÃv]tT]: s]v]*v³X]]N]]\ asv]tT]: s]rv]* v³XÅNÅ\ - Among all trees, I am aÃv]tT] asv]tT] tree. aÃv]tT]: asv]tT]: tree belongs to the banyan-class of trees. It has been the holiest of all trees from times immemorial in the mindset of Hindus. Both ¿Qop]in]S]t]/ kaQop]inwS]t/ (¿Q kaQa 6-1) and The Bhagavad Gita (15-1) glorify the aÃv]tT] asv]tT] tree as a symbol of this entire s}s]]r sams]]r – ever changing creation along with its never changing roots. Even to-day, the twigs of the aÃv]tT] asv]tT] tree are used in Havan rituals, and the tree itself is worshipped by people praying for progeny. Sitting under the shade of an aÃv]tT] asv]tT] tree is as good a choice as any other for choosing an appropriate place for Meditation on p]rmoÃv]r

p]ramesv]r. Therefore, B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vÅn says, aÃv]tT]: s]v]*v³X]]N]]\ asv]tT]:

s]rv]* v³XÅNÅ\ – The aÃv]tT] asv]tT] tree itself is Myself, The p]rmoÃv]r

p]ramesv]r.




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dev]S]I*N]]\ c] n]]rd: dev]rSI* NÅ\ c] nÅrada: - Among the dev] dev] Rishis, I am Narada. Rishi Narada is famous in our Puranas. Where ever and whenever you see Narada, you see him only singing the Glory of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r. Therefore, contacting Narada in thought, word or need, is indeed contacting p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r Itself. Therefore, Sage Narada is eminently appropriate to Meditate upon as p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r Itself. Further,

g]nD]v]]*N]]\ ic]ˆ]rT]: g]nD]rvÅ*NÅ\ icwˆ]rT]: - Among the Gandharvas, I am ic]ˆ]rT] icwˆ]rT] – the King of the Gandharvas. Gandharvas are a class of celestial beings who are experts in Music, Dance, etc., they love p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r through Music, Dance etc. Even to-day, the highest forms of Music and Dance bring out only The Glory of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r, and consequently, spiritually uplifting, in addition to being beautiful to both our ears and eyes.

is]£]n]]\ ¿ip]l]o m¶in]: isw£]nÅ\ kaipwlo m¶inw: - is]£] isw£]s are people who are born with already well-developed Divine Virtues and Spiritual Knowledge; among such is]£]s isw£]s, ¿ip]l] kaipwl is the most well-known often referred as ¿ip]l] m¶in] kaipwl] m¶inw, ¿ip]l] ìS] kaipwl] ìSw or ¿ip]l]]c]]y]* kaipwlÅcÅry]*. Even at birth, Kapila was endowed with qualities and virtues of D]m]* D]rm]*, $]]n] jnÅn], vOr]gy] vawrÅgy] and AeSv]y]* AwSv]ry]*. Naturally, the person ¿ip]l] kaipwl evolved into a person of extraordinary knowledge and wisdom, having mastered the words and content of all the 4 Vedas. In time, He became b—Àiv]§]c]]y]* b—aÀai vwdy] ]cÅry]*,

particularly with respect to x¶£ a]tm] t]–v] iv]$]]n]\ x¶£a Åtm] t]–v] ivwjn$]]n]\,

otherwise called s]}Ky] y]og] sÅnKy] yog], and ultimately he became recognized as the very embodiment of m]h] iv]SN¶ ivwSN¶. That is why in iv]SN¶ s]hs—n]]m] ivwSN¶ s]hs—

a nÅ]]m, we worship p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r as ao\ m]hS]*yo ¿ip]l]]c]]y]]*y] n]m]: o\

m]harS]*ye kaipwl] ]cÅryÅ*y] n]m]:. Therefore, B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vÅn says here: is]£]n]]\ ¿ip]l]o m¶in]: isw£ÅnÅ\ kaipwlo m¶inw: - among is]£ p¶ÎS]]s isw£]

p¶ÎS]]s, I am Kapila Muni, m]h ìS] ¿ip]l] m]ha iSw kaipwl].

[ccO: Û]v]s]m]Ãv]]n]]\ iv]i£ m]]m]m³t]o¤v]m]/ | [ccaw: Û]v]s]m]svÅnÅ\ ivwi£w mÅm]m³to¤v]m/ |

Aer]v]t]\ g]jon¨]N]]\ n]r]N]]\ c] n]r]iD]p]m]/ || 10 – 27 awr]v]t]\ g]jen¨]NÅ\ n]r]NÅ\ c] n]rÅDwp]m/ ||




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aÃv]]n]]\ am³t]o¤v]\ [ccO: Û]v]s]\ m]}\ iv]i£ asvÅnÅ\ am³to¤v]\ [ccaw: Û]v]s]\ m]\ ivwi£w

m]}\ iv]i£ mÅm ivwi£w – Please understand – please consider aÃv]]n]]\ am³t]o¤v]\ [ccO: Û]v]s]\ asvÅnÅ\ am³to¤av]\ [ccaw: Û]v]s]\ - among the horses, I am the nectar-born Uccharsravas. There is a famous Puranic story in which the Devas and Asuras churn the ocean of Milk to extract nectar (am³t]\ am³t]\). During this churning process, many things came out, one of which was a particular horse, called Uccharsravas, with some extraordinary powers. B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vÅn here identifies Himself as the Power behind the Uccharsravas Horse.

Aer]v]t]\ g]jon¨]N]]\ AwrÅv]t]\ g]jen¨ÅNÅ\ - Among the Superior class of elephants, I am Airavata. Airavata also emerged during the above churning of the Ocean of Milk. Being an extraordinary one of its kind, Airavata became the vehicle for Indra.

n]r]N]]\ c] n]r]iD]p]m]/ n]rÅNÅ\ c] n]rÅDwp]m /- Among human beings, I am the Ruler, the King who rules the Kingdom in accordance with D]m]* D]rm]* at all times. The power and pomp of such a King belong to p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r only. a]y¶D]]n]]m]h\ v]j—\ Don]Un]]m]ism] ¿]m]D¶¿/ | Åy¶DÅnÅm ]ha\ v]j—a\ DenU nÅm]ismw kÅm]D¶k/ |

p—j]n]º]ism] ¿ndp]*: s]p]*]N]]m]ism] v]]s¶i¿ : || 10 – 28 p—aj]n]scÅismw kandarp]*: s]rpÅ]NÅm]ismw vÅs¶ikw: ||

a]y¶D]]n]]\ ah\ v]j—\ Åy¶DÅnÅ\ aha\ v]j—a\ - Among the weapons, I am the weapon Vajra of Indra. There is a Puranic story, which tells how Indra got an extraordinarily destructive weapon, called Vajra, specially made for him to combat wickedness of the Asuras, by the Grace of Sage Dadhichi. B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vÅn is there wherever a weapon to combat wickedness is there. Therefore, B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vÅn says, a]y¶D]]n]]\ ah\ v]j—\ Åy¶DÅnÅ\ aha\ v]j—a\ – among the weapons, I am the weapon Vajra of Indra.

Don]Un]]\ aism] ¿]m]D¶¿/ DenUnÅ\ aismw kÅm]D¶k /- Among the cows, I am the Divine cow capable of fulfilling all desires. The most famous Divine cow is ¿]m]Don¶ kÅm]Den¶ of v]is]Sq v]iswSq – the b]Àõ`iS] br]Àõ iSw.The Divine Power of

¿]m]Don¶ kÅm]Den¶ is a manifestation of the Glory of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r.




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p—j]n]º]ism] ¿ndp]*: p—aj]n]scÅismw kandarp]*: - ¿ndp]* kandarp]*: is ¿]m] dev]t]] kÅm] dev]tÅ (cupid) also called m]nm]t] m]nm]t] – The Lord of ¿]m] k]m], D]m]]*iv]ru£o B½tàS¶ ämç$%ism] D]rmÅ * ivwru£o B½tàS¶ ämç%ismw (7-11) – The Lord of That ¿]m] k]m] – The Lord of Love, Love of s]ty]\ s]ty]\ and D]m]*,\ D]rm]\, Love of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r. Therefore,

p—j]n]º]ism] ¿ndp]*: p—aj]n]scÅismw kandarp] *: means for the couples with the Divine urge to beget children through legitimate means and proper conduct, I am ¿ndp]* kandarp]* – The Lord of Love, The Lord of Love of s]ty]\ s]ty]\ and D]m]* \ D]rm]\

– Love of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r, and being so, such Love is a Glory of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r Itself.

p—j]]yð g³hõmàiD]nÅ \ p—ajÅyð g³hõmàiDwnÅ\ and p—ýjÅt]nt¶ \ mÅ vy]v]cCets]I: p—ýjÅ

t]nt¶\ mÅ vy]v]cCetsIh - these are basic Vedic teachings. They bring out the Glory and sanctity of g³hõsTÅÛõm] D]m]* g³hõsTÅÛõm D]rm]* whose very basis is s]t]/ s]\DÅn]\ s]t/ s]\DÅn]\ – Divine Union of the partners involved, which means the overriding Mission of family life is only to preserve and protect s]ty]\ s]ty]\ and D]m]* D]rm]* through children, in terms of s]nÅt]n] D]m]* s]nÅt]n] D]rm]* – The Eternal order. Again, B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vÅn continues:

s]p]*]N]]m]ism] v]]s¶i¿: s]rpÅNÅm]ismw vÅs¶ikw: - Among the one-headed poisonous serpents, I am v]]s¶i¿ vÅs¶ikw – The Divine Serpent. In our p¶rNÅs p¶rNÅs, the serpent v]]s¶i¿ vÅs¶ikw was utilized as the rope to rotate the Mount Meru in the process of churning the Ocean of Milk. B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vÅn speaks of the Power of v]]s¶i¿ vÅs¶ikw as a glorious manifestation of the Power of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r Itself. All these Puranic stories have their own significance and lessons to teach; but there is no need for us to dwell on them here, to understand and appreciate the Glories of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r, and p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r Itself. B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vÅn continues

an]nt]º]ism] n]]g]]n]]\ v]ruN]o y]]ds]]m]hm]/ | an]nt]scÅismw nÅigÅnÅi\ v]ruNo yÅidasÅim]ham/ |

ip]t³N]]m]y]*m]] c]]ism] y]m]: s]\ y]m]t]]m]hm]/ || 10 – 29 ipwt³NÅim]ry]*mÅ cÅiismw y]m]: s]\ y]m]tÅim]ham/ ||




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an]nt]º]ism] n]]g]]n]]\ an]nt]scÅiismw nÅigÅinÅ\ - Among the Nagas, I am an]nt] an]nt]. Nagas are many-headed nonpoisonous snakes. The King of Nagas, the nÅg]rj] nÅg]rj], is called an]nt] an]nt] or ˜idõxàS] ˜idwxàS], who is a great B]• B]•a iof iv]SN¶ vwSN¶. m]h iv]SN¶ m]h ivwSN¶ is often depicted in the form of an]nt] x]y]n]\ an]nt] x]y]n]\ – reclining on the coils of ˜idõxàS] ˜idwxàS].

v]ruN]o y]]ds]]\ ahm]/ v]ruNo y˜idas˜i\ aham/ - y]]ds]]\ y˜idas˜i\ means abdev]tÅnÅ \ abdev]tÅnÅm. Among the Devatas in the form of water, such as rivers, lakes, oceans etc., I am Varuna Devata s]m¶¨õ rj] s]m¶¨õ rj] – The King of all Oceans.

ip]t³N]]\ ay]*m]] c] aism] ipwt³N˜i\ ary]*m˜i c] aismw - Among the departed ancestors, I am ay]*m]] ary]*m˜ – the King of ip]t³l]oä ipwt³l]oä, which is one of the several dev] lçäs dev] lçäs - world of celestial beings. y]m]: s]\y]m]t]]m]hm]/ y]m]: s]\y]m]t˜im]h]m/ - Among those who are entrusted with the responsibility of enforcing and maintaining justice in society, I am Lord y]m] y]m], y]m] D]m]* rj] y]m] D]rm]* rj] – The Lord of Justice.

p—ãl]]dº]ism] dEty]]n]]\ ¿]l]: ¿l]y]t]]m]hm]/ | p—aãld]iscasmw dEtyn\ kl]: kal]y]tm]ham/ |

m³g]]N]]\ c] m³gon¨o%h\ vOn]toy]º p]iX]N]]m]/ || 10 – 30 m³gN\ c] m³gen¨o%ha\ vawn]tey]sca p]iXwNm/ ||

p—ãl]]dº]ism] dEty]]n]]\ p—aãldascismw dEtyn\ - Among the dEty]]s dEtys, I

am p—ãl]]d p—aãld. dEty]]s dEtys are Asuras, some of whom were so much intoxicated with their own extraordinary powers that they challenged the supremacy of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r Itself. According to our Purnas, Hiranyakasipu was one such Asura who could never accept Sri Narayana as the Supreme Being. His son Prahlada was just the opposite of his father. p—ãl]]d p—aãld was a great Devotee of m]hiv]S]N¶ m]hi vwSN¶ as Sri Narayana. Thanks to p—ãl]]d’s p—aãld's deep rooted devotion to p]rmoÃv]r

p]ramesv]r, Hiranyakasipu got redemption from his arrogance at the hands of B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vn Narayana Himself in the form of Narasimha – that is the story of

Narasimha Avatara of m]h] iv]SN¶ m]h ivwSN¶. p—ãl]]d p—aãld was such a great




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Wìv]rõ B]• Wìv]r B]•a – Devotee of p]rmoÃv]r p]ramesv]r, that B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vn says here, among the Asuras, I am Prahlad. ¿]l]: ¿l]y]t]]\ ahm]/ kl]: kal]y]t\ aham/ - ¿l]y]t]]\ kal]y]t\ means g]N]n]\ ä÷v]*tÅ \ g]N]n]\ ä÷rv]*tÅ\ – doing counting. Among all methods of counting, I am ¿]l] kl] – the TIME. Without any effort on its part, TIME goes on ticking the longevity of everyone, including Brahmaji is decided by TIME. TIME witnesses all changes in time. Such is the extraordinary nature of time. Therefore B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vn says, I am TIME.

m³g]]N]]\ m³gon¨o%h\ m³gN\ m³gen¨o%ha\ vOn]toy]º p]iX]N]]m]/ vawsn]tey]sca p]iXwNm/ - Among the birds, I am vOn]toy] vawsn]tey] which is the name for g]ruzõ g]ruzõ who is a iv]SN¶ B]• ivwSN¶ B]•a. Garuda looks like an eagle with a white band around its neck and sighting it is considered to be a good omen. Garuda flies very high and also very beautifully. In our Puranas, Garuda is depicted as a vehicle for m]h iv]SN¶ m]h ivwSN¶. Therefore, B]g]v]]n]/ B]g]vn says – I am Garuda.

Sri Krishna’s iv]B]Uit] yçg] ivwBUitw yçg] continues – we will see more of B]g]v]]n]/’s B]g]vn's Glories next time.

b—ýàõiv]§] brahma vidya ûim]¤g]v]t]/ g]it]]...

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