THE HOLY GITA, CHAPTER 10, VERSE 24, VIBHUTI YOGA OR THE YOGA OF DIVINE MANIFESTATIONS

THE HOLY GITA

CHAPTER NUMBER 10

VIBHUTI YOGA OR THE YOGA OF DIVINE MANIFESTATIONS:

VERSE NUMBER 24

Text in Transliteration:

purodhasaamcha mukhyam maam viddhi paarthabrhaspatim

senaaninaam aham skandah sarasaam asmi saagarah:

Sanskrit words and phrases and their meaning:

Purodhasaam = among the household priests; cha = and; mukhyam = the chief; maam = me; viddhi = know; paartha = O partha; brhaspatim = Brihhaspati; senaaneenaam = among generals; aham = I; skandah: = Skanda; sarasaam = among lakes; asmi = (I) am; saagarah: = the ocean.

Text in English:

Of priests, O Partha, know Me to be the chief, Brihaspati; of generals I am Skanda and of bodies of water I am the ocean.

COMMENTARY BY SRIMAT SWAMI CHIDBHAVANANDA:

The function of the priest is to administer ritualistic worship and a sanctified code of conduct among people. Brihaspati discharges this sacred duty among the Devas and so he is a deity of great eminence. Seekers of learning and wisdom pay homage to Brihaspati. It is but proper to behold him as endowed with the attributes of Iswara.

Godhead can be reached only through right understanding and right execution. These two divine qualities are personified as Ganesa and Skanda, the sons of Siva. His second son, Skanda is the best among the generalissimos leading Siva’s hosts to victory over the demons. It is but appropriate that the Lord claims this general as His own embodiment.

The ocean suggests the infinitude of the Lord. Merging the mind in its expanse is a form of the worship of the Almighty.

COMMENTARY BY SRIMAT SWAMI SIVANANDA:

Brihaspati is the chief priest of the gods. He is the household priest of Indra.

Skanda is Kartikeya or Lord Subramaniya. He is the general of the hosts of the gods.

Of things holding water- natural reservoirs or lakes- I am the ocean.