Chapter 10 · Shloka 23— The Yoga of Divine Glories

rudrāṇāṁ śhaṅkaraśh chāsmi vitteśho yakṣha-rakṣhasām vasūnāṁ pāvakaśh chāsmi meruḥ śhikhariṇām aham

rudrāṇām

— amongst the Rudras

śhaṅkaraḥ

— Lord Shiv

cha

— and

asmi

— I am

vitta-īśhaḥ

— the god of wealth and the treasurer of the celestial gods

yakṣha

— amongst the semi-divine demons

rakṣhasām

— amongst the demons

vasūnām

— amongst the Vasus

pāvakaḥ

— Agni (fire)

cha

— and

asmi

— I am

meruḥ

— Mount Meru

śhikhariṇām

— amongst the mountains

aham

— I am

"Rudranam sankaras casmi vitt'eso yaksa-raksasam, vasunam pavakas casmi meruh sikharinam aham." — Among the Rudras I am Shankara (Shiva); among the yakshas and rakshasas I am Kubera, the lord of wealth; among the Vasus I am Agni (fire); and among mountain peaks I am Meru. Krishna continues naming His chief glories across various categories. 'Rudranam sankarah ca asmi' — among the eleven Rudras, I am Shankara (Shiva), the foremost and most auspicious. 'Vitteso yaksa-raksasam' — among the yakshas and rakshasas (semi-divine beings associated with wealth and power), I am Kubera (Vittesa), the lord of treasures. 'Vasunam pavakah ca asmi' — among the eight Vasus (elemental deities), I am Agni (Pavaka), fire. 'Meruh sikharinam aham' — among mountains and peaks (sikharins), I am Meru, the cosmic mountain, the highest and most central. Shankaracharya notes the consistent principle: in each category, the Divine is the chief, the foremost, the most exalted example. Among the Rudras, the most auspicious; among wealth-deities, the lord of all wealth; among fires and elements, fire itself; among mountains, the supreme peak. This verse continues training the eye to recognize the Divine in the foremost of each kind. The pattern is unmistakable and instructive: wherever there is a peak, a chief, a supreme example, there the divine glory is especially manifest. The insight continues the theme: the Divine shines forth most visibly at the summits — the highest mountain, the chief of any order, the most auspicious of a class. This trains a recognition that the peaks of existence, the highest points in any domain, are special windows onto the deeper reality. When you stand before something that represents the very summit of its kind — the tallest mountain, the most majestic of any category — let it lift your awareness toward the supreme reality it reflects. The heights of the world are reminders of the Height beyond all heights.

Krishna continues the pattern: in each category he's the chief, the foremost, the summit — Shiva among the Rudras, the lord of wealth among wealth-beings, fire among the elements, the highest mountain among peaks. The recurring insight: the divine glory shines most visibly at the summits — the highest points in any domain. This trains a particular sensitivity: recognizing that the peaks of existence are special windows onto the deeper reality. When you stand before something that represents the very summit of its kind — the tallest mountain, a peak human achievement, the most majestic example of anything — there's an instinct in us to be lifted, awed, moved upward. That instinct is worth honoring rather than suppressing. The heights of the world — whether in nature, art, character, or achievement — naturally point the mind toward something even higher. They're reminders of 'the Height beyond all heights.' So when you encounter a true summit — let it lift you. Don't flatten everything into the same gray sameness. Let the genuine peaks of life raise your gaze toward the deeper magnificence they reflect.

Krishna continues the pattern: in each category he's the chief, the foremost, the summit — Shiva among the Rudras, the lord of wealth among wealth-beings, fire among the elements, the highest mountain among peaks. The recurring insight: the divine glory shines most visibly at the summits — the highest points in any domain. This trains a sensitivity worth having: recognizing that the peaks of existence are special windows onto the deeper reality. When you stand before something that represents the absolute summit of its kind — the tallest mountain, a peak human achievement, the most majestic example of anything — there's an instinct in us to be lifted, awed, moved upward. That instinct is worth honoring instead of suppressing. The heights of the world — in nature, art, character, achievement — naturally point the mind toward something even higher. They're reminders of 'the Height beyond all heights.' So when you encounter a genuine summit — let it lift you. Don't flatten everything into the same gray 'whatever.' Let the real peaks of life raise your gaze toward the deeper magnificence they reflect.

Krishna keeps giving examples — and notice the pattern: He's always the BEST and HIGHEST in each group! Among the powerful gods, He's the greatest; among wealth-keepers, He's the richest; among the elements, He's fire; and among all mountains, He's MERU — the tallest, most magnificent peak of all! The lesson: God's glory shines brightest at the very tops, the highest points of everything! So when you see something at its absolute best and highest — a towering mountain, a champion at the peak of their skill, the most magnificent example of anything — let it lift your heart and fill you with wonder! The amazing heights of the world are like signposts pointing up toward something even more wonderful — the Divine! Let the greatest, highest things you see raise your eyes and your heart upward!