वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनञ्जयः ।
मुनीनामप्यहं व्यासः कवीनामुशना कविः ॥37॥
vṛiṣhṇīnāṁ vāsudevo ’smi pāṇḍavānāṁ dhanañjayaḥ
munīnām apyahaṁ vyāsaḥ kavīnām uśhanā kaviḥ
श्लोक ३७: मैं वृष्णि कुल में वासुदेव हूँ। पाण्डवों में मैं धनंजय हूँ। ऋषियों में मैं वेदव्यास हूँ तथा महान कवियों में मैं शुक्राचार्य हूँ।
Shloka 37: I am Vasudeva, among the Vrsni clan. I am Dhananjaya, among the Pandavas. Also, among the sages, I am Vyasa and among the great poets, I am Ushana (Shukracharya)
In Bhagavad Gita 10.37, Lord Krishna continues His divine revelations to Arjuna, identifying Himself as the supreme manifestation among various distinguished categories. He states: "Of the descendants of Vṛṣṇi I am Vāsudeva, and of the Pāṇḍavas I am Arjuna. Of the sages I am Vyāsa, and among great thinkers I am Uśanā."
This verse is part of the Vibhuti Yoga section where Krishna reveals His divine manifestations (vibhūtis) throughout creation. By declaring "I am Vāsudeva among the Vrishnis," Krishna emphasizes His own supreme position within His family lineage. The name Vāsudeva specifically refers to Krishna in Dvārakā, highlighting His divine essence that permeates His earthly manifestation.
Among the Pandavas, Krishna identifies with Arjuna (Dhanañjaya), which is particularly significant given their relationship. The term "Dhanañjaya" literally means "winner of wealth," a title earned by Arjuna through his exceptional skills and virtues. This connection between Krishna and Arjuna symbolizes the special bond between the Supreme Divine and the devoted seeker—a relationship of guidance, friendship, and mutual respect that serves as an ideal for spiritual aspirants.
Krishna then identifies Himself as Vyāsa among the sages. Vyāsa, revered as the compiler of all Vedic literature and the author of the Mahabharata, represents the pinnacle of wisdom and literary accomplishment. By associating Himself with Vyāsa, Krishna highlights the importance of sacred knowledge and its transmission. Vyāsa's role in organizing and preserving divine wisdom makes him the perfect representation of Krishna's aspect as the source of spiritual knowledge.
Finally, Krishna names Himself as Uśanā (also known as Śukrācārya) among great thinkers. Uśanā was renowned for his exceptional intellect, political wisdom, and role as the teacher of the asuras. This identification shows that Krishna's divine presence manifests even in intellectual prowess and strategic thinking, regardless of which side one serves in the cosmic order.
Through these identifications, Krishna teaches Arjuna (and us) to recognize divine excellence in every sphere of life. Each manifestation represents the pinnacle of achievement in its category—leadership, warriorship, wisdom, and intellect. The underlying message is that wherever we encounter exceptional quality or greatness, we are witnessing an aspect of the divine. This understanding helps us develop a more comprehensive vision of divinity that extends beyond temples and rituals into the fabric of daily life.
This verse also serves as a reminder that Krishna's presence underlies all extraordinary qualities and virtues. By understanding His vibhūtis, we can learn to perceive Krishna's divine presence in everything around us, developing a profound spiritual awareness that transforms our perception of the world. Rather than seeing the universe as separate from God, we begin to recognize it as permeated by divine consciousness, with all extraordinary manifestations serving as signposts pointing toward the ultimate reality.
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