THE HOLY GITA, CHAPTER 10, VERSE 31, VIBHUTI YOGA OR THE YOGA OF DIVINE MANIFESTATIONS

THE HOLY GITA

CHAPTER NUMBER 10

VIBHUTI YOGA OR THE YOGA OF DIVINE MANIFESTATIONS:

VERSE NUMBER 31

Text in Transliteration:

pavanaah: pavataam asmi raamah sastrabhrrtaam aham

jhashaanaam makaras chaa ‘smi srotasaam asmi jaahanavee

Sanskrit words and phrases and their meaning:

pavanah: = the wind; pavataam = among purifiers; asmi = (I) am; raamah: = Rama; sastra bhrrtaaam = among wielders of weapons (warriors); aham = I; jhasaanaam = among fishes; makarah: = Makara (shark); cha = and; asmi = (I) am; jaahnavee = the Ganges;

Text in English:

Of purifiers I am the wind; of the wielders of weapon I am Rama. Of fishes I am the shark, and of rivers I am the Ganges.

COMMENTARY BY SRIMAT SWAMI CHIDBHAVANANDA:

All the four elements—earth, water, fire and air—are in fact purifiers. Among them air is all-pervading and doing this great work very effectively. It is capable of purifying earth, water and fire too. It makes fire burn; it converts impure water into vapour and reinstates it as pure rain water. The smell produced by earth and earthly things is purified and made smell-less by air. The glory of the Lord reveals itself through this great purifier.

Unarmed countries and under-armed countries are exposed to intrusion and invasion. In this respect Rama has a lesson to teach to countries and governments. Weapon is a power for good or for bad. Rama’s weapon was deadliest in those days; but he never abused it. Whenever he put his weapon to action, good only came out of it. To be well-armed and to make good and timely use of the arm is the lesson that Rama teaches kings and rulers. Any deviation from his teaching is not for public safety. Rama is an Incarnation of God, and Krishna identifies Himself with Him.

Among fishes the shark is most powerful. It has derived that power from God’s cosmic energy.

Ganges is also known as Jahnavi because of her having become the daughter of the sage Jahnu. When Bhagiratha was escorting the Ganga, she inundated the sacrificial field of the sage Jahnu, who became annoyed at her intrusion and swallowed her up. But at the supplication of Bhagiratha the sage permitted the river to come out of his ear. That way she became Jahnavi. Among rivers Ganges is the most sacred. Her water bottled for any length of time does not putrefy. She is venerated as having come from the head of Siva. Many saints and sages have performed austerity on the banks of this river. She has sanctifying influence on the sadhakas or practitioners. This divinity in her is derived from the Lord.

COMMENTARY BY SRIMAT SWAMI SIVANANDA:

The holy river Ganga (spelt Ganges in English) was swallowed by Jahnu when she was being brought down by Bhagiratha from heaven. Hence the name Jahnavi for Ganga.