10.25 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 10, Verse 25

In Bhagavad Gita verse 10.25, Lord Krishna continues revealing His divine manifestations (vibhūtis) to Arjuna, identifying Himself with the most extraordinary elements of existence. Krishna declares: "Of the great sages I am Bhṛgu; of vibrations I am the transcendental oṁ. Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa], and of immovable things I am the Himālayas."

Krishna identifies Himself as Bhrigu among the great sages. Bhrigu, born of Lord Brahma, represents spiritual wisdom and divine power of the highest order. Among all vibrations or sounds, Krishna declares Himself as the sacred syllable Om, which is not merely a sound but the primordial vibration representing the Absolute Truth and the essence of all Vedic knowledge. This transcendental sound carries the entirety of spiritual wisdom within its resonance, serving as a gateway to connect with the divine.

Among sacrifices, Krishna identifies Himself as japa—the meditative repetition of holy names. This is particularly significant as it represents a shift from elaborate external rituals to a more intimate form of devotion. Unlike traditional fire sacrifices that require extensive preparations and materials, japa requires only one's consciousness and voice, making it accessible to all regardless of circumstance. This form of sacrifice engages one's mind and heart directly with the divine, making it a deeply personal offering to the Lord.

The Lord's identification with the Himalayas among immovable things speaks to His eternal and unshakeable nature. The Himalayas, being the greatest mountains in the world, symbolize permanence, majesty, and sublime grandeur. Just as these mountains stand firm against all elements, Krishna's divine nature remains unchanged through the fluctuations of cosmic time. The mountains also represent depth and infinity, qualities that are essential aspects of divinity.

This verse reveals a beautiful progression from external manifestations to internal devotion. While the sage Bhrigu represents external wisdom and the Himalayas represent external grandeur, the Om sound and the practice of japa represent increasingly internal and personal connections with the divine. Through japa, practitioners offer their very consciousness as a sacrifice, allowing for purification of the heart and mind while establishing a direct connection with Krishna.

In Indian spiritual tradition, Krishna is often depicted with a blue complexion, symbolizing infinite depth and vastness. Just as the sky appears blue because of its depth and the deep ocean reflects blueness, Krishna's form represents the unlimited and unfathomable nature of the divine. This verse helps devotees to contemplate that vastness through specific manifestations they can relate to in their own experience.

By understanding these divine manifestations, devotees are given a practical way to remember and connect with Krishna through the extraordinary elements they encounter in the world. When one sees the Himalayas or hears of great sages, when one chants Om or practices japa, they can recognize Krishna's presence in these forms. This recognition transforms ordinary perception into spiritual vision, allowing devotees to see the divine in the remarkable aspects of creation and to deepen their relationship with the Supreme through daily experience.