10.24 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 10, Verse 24

In Bhagavad Gita 10.24, Krishna continues to reveal to Arjuna the many ways His divine presence is expressed in the most exalted and awe-inspiring entities across creation. In this particular verse, Krishna focuses on three specific manifestations: Brihaspati among priests, Skanda (Kartikeya) among military commanders, and the ocean among all bodies of water. By doing so, Krishna draws Arjuna’s attention to the most distinguished and revered examples in each domain, helping illustrate how supreme divinity permeates even the greatest of material and spiritual roles.

Firstly, Krishna identifies Himself as Brihaspati among priests or spiritual teachers. Brihaspati, often regarded as the preceptor and guru of the gods, is celebrated for his vast wisdom, devotion, and moral rectitude. His role as Indra’s priest underscores his preeminence, just as Indra himself is the chief of all celestial rulers. By associating Himself with Brihaspati, Krishna signifies that the highest wisdom and spiritual guidance found in the world are but reflections of His own divine intellect and grace. This reminds us that all genuine knowledge and guidance originate from the same cosmic source, and that the clarity and purity embodied by Brihaspati are direct manifestations of the divine principle guiding all upliftment and enlightenment in the universe.

Next, Krishna names Skanda—also known as Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati—as His manifestation among military commanders. Kartikeya is renowned as the fearless general of the gods, the embodiment of valor, discipline, and unwavering resolve on the battlefield. His leadership and martial prowess ensure the protection of dharma and the defeat of chaos. By identifying with Skanda, Krishna conveys that the very essence of courage, strategic brilliance, and righteous leadership in any struggle or conflict derives from the Supreme. This highlights the divine origin of true strength and protective power—an assertion that even might and authority, when harnessed righteously, are channels of the divine will working toward universal balance and justice.

The third manifestation Krishna cites is the ocean among all bodies of water. The ocean is unmatched in its vastness, depth, and all-embracing expanse. It serves as a fitting symbol for the all-encompassing opulence of the divine. Just as all rivers and streams ultimately find their home in the ocean, so do all manifestations and sources of greatness in the universe converge in the Supreme. The ocean’s seemingly boundless capacity to both nurture and contain life, its mystery and its might, are but faint reflections of Krishna’s own limitless attributes.

Together, these examples serve to illustrate a profound concept: Krishna’s divine energy underlies and animates the most exceptional qualities and beings in the world. Each reference—be it Brihaspati’s wisdom, Skanda’s might, or the ocean’s majesty—points to an underlying unity, revealing how the extraordinary aspects of our experience are not isolated phenomena but manifestations of a single, all-pervading divinity. By drawing attention to these outstanding figures and elements, Krishna encourages a vision of the world that sees beyond surface distinctions to the essence connecting all greatness. This perspective reshapes ordinary perception and encourages a deeper appreciation of the sacred within the everyday.

These manifestations, however, are not meant to become objects of independent worship or adulation. Rather, Krishna’s enumeration is intended to direct our attention to the supreme source behind all greatness. By recognizing that the most remarkable teachers, leaders, and phenomena in our lives are reflections of Krishna’s own opulence, we are invited to move beyond attachment to external forms and see the divine amidst all glory. This redirection of focus from the object itself to the divinity expressing through it is crucial to developing true spiritual understanding.

Krishna’s approach is both inclusive and transformative. By associating Himself with the peak representatives in various fields, He makes the spiritual accessible through everyday experiences and notable figures familiar to Arjuna and to all of humanity. This method bridges the gap between the transcendental and the worldly, showing that divinity is never far, but always present in the noblest and grandest aspects of creation. The teaching here is subtle but profound: to see the hand of the divine not only in explicitly spiritual domains but in every sphere of life’s grandeur and excellence.

In summary, Verse 10.24 of the Bhagavad Gita weaves a tapestry where spiritual wisdom, valor, and vastness serve as metaphors for Krishna’s immeasurable nature. By highlighting the most illustrious among priests, commanders, and waters, Krishna reveals how His presence suffuses all realms of existence. This vision, once internalized, transforms how one perceives the world—prompting a shift from mundane appreciation to reverence for the ultimate source behind all manifestations of greatness.