पुरोधसां च मुख्यं मां विद्धि पार्थ बृहस्पतिम्। सेनानीनामहं स्कन्दः सरसामस्मि सागरः।।10.24।।
purodhāsāṁ ca mukhyaṁ māṁ viddhi pārtha bṛhaspatim; senānīnām ahaṁ skandaḥ sarasām asmi sāgaraḥ
Translation
O Arjuna, among the priests know Me as Brihaspati; among the commanders of armies I am Kartikeya; and among all reservoirs of water, know Me as the ocean.
Word Meanings
purodhāsām — of all priests; ca — also; mukhyam — the chief; mam — Me; viddhi — understand; pārtha — O son of Pṛthā; bṛhaspatim — Bṛhaspati; senānīnām — of all commanders; aham — I am; skandaḥ — Kārttikeya; sarasām — of all reservoirs of water; asmi — I am; sāgaraḥ — the ocean.
Understanding the Verse
In this verse of the Vibhuti‑Yoga (Chapter 10), Lord Krishna continues to reveal His divine manifestations, demonstrating how He pervades every aspect of creation as its supreme exemplar. By stating \"purōdhāsāṁ ca mukhyaṁ\", He first emphasizes His position as the chief among all priests (purodhās), indicating that the knowledge and wisdom embodied by the learned class are ultimately rooted in Him. The reference to Bṛhaspati, the preceptor of the devas and the personification of divine intelligence, underscores Krishna’s role as the ultimate source of counsel, learning, and spiritual insight. Those who seek true knowledge are, in effect, approaching the Supreme Himself, for He is the fountainhead of all intellectual prowess.
Transitioning to the realm of warriors, Krishna declares \"senānīnām ahaṁ skandaḥ\" – He is Skanda (Kārtikeya), the commander of celestial armies. This not only highlights His mastery over power and strategy but also signifies that every act of bravery, discipline, and martial skill originates from Him. In the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna’s prowess is a reflection of this divine energy. By associating Himself with the supreme general, Krishna assures Arjuna that the will to act righteously in the face of conflict is supported by the highest authority on war and protection.
Finally, Krishna likens Himself to the ocean (sāgara) among all bodies of water (saras). The ocean, boundless and all‑encompassing, absorbs every river, lake, and pond, symbolically representing the infinite nature of the Divine. Just as the ocean contains the essence of every taste of water, the Supreme Reality contains the essence of all beings, emotions, and experiences. This metaphor conveys that the ultimate destination and source of all existence is the Divine, which remains unchanging despite the myriad forms it takes.
Collectively, the verse illustrates a profound theological principle: the Divine manifests as the pinnacle of every category of existence – intellect, strength, and vastness. By recognizing these manifestations, a seeker can cultivate reverence, seeing the Divine not as a distant figure but as the intrinsic essence of all that is revered and aspired to. For Arjuna, and for all aspirants, this realization fosters humility and devotion, encouraging them to align their actions with the universal order that Krishna embodies. The verse thus functions both as a theological affirmation and a practical guide, urging devotees to perceive the Supreme in every revered form, thereby deepening their spiritual connection and purpose.
