Chapter 10 · Shloka 26— The Yoga of Divine Glories

aśhvatthaḥ sarva-vṛikṣhāṇāṁ devarṣhīṇāṁ cha nāradaḥ gandharvāṇāṁ chitrarathaḥ siddhānāṁ kapilo muniḥ

aśhvatthaḥ

— the banyan tree

sarva-vṛikṣhāṇām

— amongst all trees

deva-ṛiṣhīṇām

— amongst celestial sages

cha

— and

nāradaḥ

— Narad

gandharvāṇām

— amongst the gandharvas

chitrarathaḥ

— Chitrarath

siddhānām

— of all those who are perfected

kapilaḥ muniḥ

— sage Kapil

"Asvatthah sarva-vrksanam devarsinam ca naradah, gandharvanam citrarathah siddhanam kapilo munih." — Among all trees I am the ashvattha (the sacred fig); among divine sages I am Narada; among the gandharvas (celestial musicians) I am Chitraratha; among the perfected ones I am the sage Kapila. Krishna continues naming His glories across diverse categories. 'Asvatthah sarva-vrksanam' — among all trees, I am the ashvattha (the sacred peepal or fig tree, considered especially holy and long-lived). 'Devarsinam ca naradah' — among divine sages (devarsis), I am Narada (the celebrated wandering sage and devotee). 'Gandharvanam citrarathah' — among the gandharvas (celestial musicians and singers), I am Chitraratha, their chief. 'Siddhanam kapilo munih' — among the siddhas (perfected beings) I am the sage Kapila (the great teacher associated with the Sankhya philosophy). Shankaracharya notes the continuing breadth of the list: trees, sages, celestial musicians, perfected beings — across all these varied domains, the Divine is the foremost. The list deliberately ranges across nature, wisdom, the arts (music, through the gandharvas), and spiritual perfection. Note the inclusion of Chitraratha among the celestial musicians — the divine glory shines in the foremost of the musical and artistic sphere too. The list embraces not just the spiritual and the natural but also the artistic: the peak of music and beauty is also a divine glory. The insight continues to broaden our recognition: the divine glory shines across every domain of value — the natural world (the sacred tree), wisdom (Narada), the arts (the master musician), and spiritual attainment (Kapila). This is a comprehensive vision: there is no worthy domain of human or natural excellence where the divine glory does not shine in its peak example. Music and art are as much divine glories as wisdom and nature. Wherever genuine beauty, wisdom, or excellence reaches its height — in any field whatsoever — there the sacred shines. This invites a wide-open sensitivity: be ready to recognize the deeper reality not just in obviously 'spiritual' things but in the peak of art, of nature, of any genuine human excellence.

Krishna's list keeps broadening: the sacred tree (nature), Narada (wisdom and devotion), Chitraratha the celestial musician (the ARTS), Kapila (spiritual attainment). Notice the inclusion of music and art among the divine glories — the peak of music and beauty is as much a window onto the deeper reality as wisdom or nature. The insight invites a wide-open sensitivity: the divine glory shines across EVERY domain of genuine value, not just obviously 'spiritual' ones. This is worth taking to heart, especially regarding art and beauty. We sometimes treat art as mere entertainment or decoration — but the Gita names the master musician as a divine glory, equal to the great sage. There's a reason great music, art, and beauty can move us to tears or stop us in our tracks: at their peak, they're windows onto something deeper, the same depth the sage points to through wisdom. So be ready to recognize the sacred widely: in a piece of music that gives you chills, in breathtaking natural beauty, in any genuine human excellence reaching its height. The deeper reality isn't confined to scripture and meditation — it shines through the peak of art, of nature, of every worthy human pursuit. Stay open to wonder everywhere.

Krishna's list keeps broadening: the sacred tree (nature), Narada (wisdom and devotion), Chitraratha the celestial musician (the ARTS), Kapila (spiritual attainment). Notice the inclusion of music and art among the divine glories — the peak of music and beauty is as much a window onto the deeper reality as wisdom or nature. The insight invites a wide-open sensitivity: the divine glory shines across EVERY domain of genuine value, not just the obviously 'spiritual' ones. This is worth taking to heart, especially about art and beauty. We sometimes treat art as just entertainment or aesthetic content — but the Gita names the master musician as a divine glory, equal to the great sage. There's a reason great music, art, and beauty can move you to tears or stop you in your tracks: at their peak, they're windows onto something deeper — the same depth the sage points to through wisdom. So be ready to recognize the sacred widely: in a song that gives you chills, in breathtaking natural beauty, in any genuine human excellence hitting its peak. The deeper reality isn't locked in scripture and meditation — it shines through the peak of art, of nature, of every worthy pursuit. Stay open to wonder everywhere.

Krishna keeps sharing glories from all kinds of areas! Among trees, He's the sacred fig tree; among wise sages, He's Narada; among heavenly MUSICIANS, He's the greatest; and among perfected beings, He's the sage Kapila! Notice He includes music and art! This shows us something lovely: God's glory shines in EVERYTHING wonderful — not just in quiet spiritual things, but in beautiful music, art, nature, AND wisdom! Have you ever heard a song so beautiful it gave you goosebumps, or seen a sunset so amazing it took your breath away? That feeling is you catching a glimpse of God's glory shining through beauty! So look for wonder EVERYWHERE — in nature, in music, in art, in kindness, in wisdom. The sacred sparkle is in all the most beautiful, excellent things! Keep your eyes and heart open to wonder all around you!