10.29 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 10, Verse 29

In this verse, Krishna continues His magnificent exposition to Arjuna about His divine manifestations in creation. To show how His essence permeates every sphere, He picks the highest, most revered figures within distinct realms—creatures associated with power, mystery, and order. Krishna’s message is clear: He is the substratum, the ultimate source and controller, even in the most powerful beings that shape the universe.

First, Krishna identifies Himself as Ananta among the Nāgas—the multi-hooded, celestial serpent beings famed in Indian cosmology. Ananta, or Śeṣa Nāga, is especially significant. This endless serpent, with thousands of hoods, is said to support the universe itself. In mythology, Ananta serves as the cosmic bed for Lord Vishnu, never wavering in duty, signifying boundless strength and eternal support. By citing Ananta, Krishna reveals Himself as the unending and unwavering foundation beneath all existence, embodying infinite fortitude and reliability.

Krishna then mentions Varuṇa, the lord of aquatic beings. In Vedic tradition, Varuṇa is not only the god of oceans and rivers but also the upholder of cosmic law and order. As water is essential for life, Varuṇa reflects vastness, depth, and the uncontainable abundance in nature. By aligning Himself with Varuṇa, Krishna illustrates that His majesty stretches across the immeasurable expanse of the waters that sustain and nourish the world.

Amongst the Pitṛs, the revered ancestors, Krishna is Aryamā. Aryamā is venerated as the ruler of the Pitṛloka, the realm of ancestors. In ancient belief, ancestors play a vital role in familial well-being and spiritual continuity. Aryamā’s role is one of guidance, support, and upholding lineage traditions, symbolizing Krishna’s presence in the forces that connect generations and ensure the prosperity of families. By referencing Aryamā, Krishna affirms His role as the link binding past, present, and future, and as the force that sustains lineage and tradition.

Krishna also equates Himself with Yama, the god of death and justice, among the controllers of law. Yama’s duty is solemn and unerring: he extracts souls from their mortal frames at death and judges them, dispensing rewards or punishments based on their deeds. Despite the grimness of his work, Yama epitomizes impartiality and cosmic balance, executing his responsibilities without hesitation or deviation. Krishna, invoking Yama, presents Himself as the ultimate dispenser of justice and the force that ensures fair consequence and equilibrium in the universe.

Together, these analogies present a sweeping panorama. Krishna is the inexhaustible support beneath the cosmos (Ananta), the vastness and law of the aquatic depths (Varuṇa), the nobility and continuity of lineage (Aryamā), and the unbending impartiality of justice (Yama). Each role, though distinct, expresses facets of the same supreme divinity—manifest and accessible in all layers of existence, from the cosmic to the personal. Whether it is the tangible, physical world or the unseen realms of justice and ancestry, Krishna makes clear that His sovereignty pervades all.

This verse is not merely a list of creatures and celestials but an invitation to see the interconnectedness of all things with their ultimate divine source. For Arjuna—and for anyone reflecting on this teaching—it is a reminder that what appears immense or formidable in the world is just a fragment of Krishna’s unlimited splendor. Recognizing Krishna in such opulent manifestations transforms awe into appreciation and reverence, turning everyday encounters and cosmic mysteries alike into opportunities for a deeper spiritual vision.

By offering these vivid analogies, Krishna encourages the cultivation of spiritual perception. The verse serves as a bridge for the mind to cross from the visible wonders of the universe—be it the strength of Ananta, the depth of Varuṇa, the continuity of Aryamā, or the justice of Yama—to their hidden, unified divine essence. This understanding nurtures humility, awe, and a sense of connection to the larger tapestry of existence, with Krishna as its eternal, sustaining presence.