10.21 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 10, Verse 21

In Bhagavad Gita 10.21, Lord Krishna continues His divine enumeration of vibhutis (opulences), revealing how He manifests as the most prominent elements within various categories of creation. He states: "Of the Adityas I am Vishnu, of lights I am the radiant sun, of the Maruts I am Marichi, and among the stars I am the moon."

The verse begins with Krishna identifying Himself as Vishnu among the Adityas, who are the twelve sons of sage Kasyapa and Aditi. This is significant because while Krishna is identifying with Vishnu, there's an important distinction - Vishnu belongs to Vishnu-tattva (divine category), whereas the other Adityas belong to jiva-tattva (living entity category). This shows that Krishna isn't claiming identical nature with other members of each category, but rather demonstrating His supreme position within them.

Among lights (jyotisam), Krishna declares Himself as the radiant sun. The sun stands as the primary source of light, energy, and sustenance for our world. Its brilliance and life-giving properties reflect Krishna's own nature as the sustainer of all existence. Just as nothing in our physical world could survive without the sun, Krishna suggests that the spiritual realm likewise depends on His divine energy. The sun's unmatched effulgence represents only a fraction of Krishna's infinite splendor.

Krishna then identifies Himself as Marichi among the Maruts, the storm deities. This reference showcases His presence in nature's dynamic forces, suggesting that even in what appears chaotic, there exists divine order and purpose. The power of wind and storm reflects Krishna's ability to transform and move through creation, sometimes gentle and sometimes forceful, but always with purpose.

Among the celestial bodies (nakṣatrāṇām), Krishna states He is the moon (śaśī). The Sanskrit term "nakṣatrā" generally refers to celestial bodies, while the moon is specifically highlighted as having special significance. The moon's calming, cooling light contrasts with the sun's intensity, demonstrating Krishna's multifaceted nature. While the sun represents His energetic, life-giving aspect, the moon symbolizes His soothing, nurturing qualities. The moon governs tides, influences growth cycles, and has been revered across cultures for its beauty and mystical properties.

An important hermeneutical point emerges from this verse. When Krishna identifies Himself with the preeminent member of each category, it doesn't mean all members share identical properties. For instance, though Krishna is the sun among lights, this doesn't make all lights identical to the sun. Similarly, though He is the moon among stars, this doesn't require all celestial bodies to share the moon's reflecting nature. This understanding helps us appreciate the nuance in Krishna's self-revelation - He manifests uniquely in each category while maintaining His supreme position.

Through these divine manifestations, Krishna provides Arjuna (and us) with a practical method to remember Him in daily life. When we observe the sun rising, feel the wind on our face, or gaze at the moon, we can recognize these as reflections of Krishna's divine presence. These everyday experiences become opportunities for spiritual connection, transforming ordinary perception into sacred awareness. By identifying Himself with these prominent aspects of creation, Krishna makes the abstract concept of divinity more tangible and accessible, offering windows through which we can glimpse His infinite glory while going about our worldly activities.