Chapter 10 · Shloka 31— The Yoga of Divine Glories

pavanaḥ pavatām asmi rāmaḥ śhastra-bhṛitām aham jhaṣhāṇāṁ makaraśh chāsmi srotasām asmi jāhnavī

pavanaḥ

— the wind

pavatām

— of all that purifies

asmi

— I am

rāmaḥ

— Ram

śhastra-bhṛitām

— of the carriers of weapons

aham

— I am

jhaṣhāṇām

— of all acquatics

makaraḥ

— crocodile

cha

— also

asmi

— I am

srotasām

— of flowing rivers

asmi

— I am

jāhnavī

— the Ganges

"Pavanah pavatam asmi ramah sastra-bhrtam aham, jhasanam makaras casmi srotasam asmi jahnavi." — Among purifiers I am the wind; among wielders of weapons I am Rama; among fishes I am the makara (the great sea-creature); and among rivers I am the Ganga (Jahnavi). Krishna continues. 'Pavanah pavatam asmi' — among purifiers (pavatam, things that cleanse), I am the wind (pavana), which purifies and freshens all. 'Ramah sastra-bhrtam aham' — among wielders of weapons (sastra-bhrt, warriors), I am Rama — the ideal warrior-king, the embodiment of righteous strength and virtue. 'Jhasanam makarah ca asmi' — among fishes and water-creatures (jhasas), I am the makara (the great crocodile or sea-monster, the largest and most powerful). 'Srotasam asmi jahnavi' — among flowing rivers (srotas), I am the Ganga (Jahnavi), the most sacred and revered of rivers. Shankaracharya notes the continuing pattern of the foremost in each category. The identification with Rama 'among wielders of weapons' is significant: Rama is celebrated not merely for martial prowess but for embodying dharma — righteousness, virtue, and noble conduct. The Divine shines in the warrior whose strength serves righteousness, not in mere force. Note also the Ganga among rivers — a river revered as sacred, a purifier. Combined with the wind 'among purifiers,' this verse highlights the theme of purification: the cleansing wind and the sacred river both embody the divine purifying power. The insight, drawing on Rama especially: the divine glory shines in strength that serves righteousness. Rama represents not raw power but power wedded to virtue — strength used to protect, uphold dharma, and serve the good. This is an important distinction. Strength, capability, and power are not glorious in themselves; they become divine glories when they serve what is right. The strongest warrior Krishna names as His glory is the one most devoted to righteousness. So whatever strength or capability you possess — physical, intellectual, social, financial — its highest expression, its participation in the divine glory, is in serving the good. Power in service of righteousness is a divine glory; power serving only itself is not. Let your strength, whatever it is, serve what is right.

Drawing especially on the identification with Rama 'among wielders of weapons': the divine glory shines in strength that serves righteousness. Rama represents not raw power but power wedded to virtue — strength used to protect, uphold what's right, and serve the good. This is a key distinction. Strength, capability, and power are NOT glorious in themselves; they become divine glories only when they serve what is right. Notice that the warrior Krishna names as His glory is the one most devoted to righteousness, not the most ruthless or powerful. This reframes how to think about your own power and capability. Whatever strength you have — physical, intellectual, social, financial, influence of any kind — its highest expression, its participation in something sacred, is in serving the good. Power used only for itself, capability used only for self-advancement, strength used to dominate — these aren't glorious, no matter how impressive. But the same power, the same capability, directed toward protecting others, upholding what's right, and serving the good — that's where it becomes genuinely admirable, even sacred. So the question for any capability you possess isn't just 'how strong am I?' but 'what is my strength serving?' Let your strength, whatever form it takes, serve what is right. Power in service of righteousness is the divine glory.

Drawing especially on the identification with Rama 'among wielders of weapons': the divine glory shines in strength that serves righteousness. Rama represents not raw power but power wedded to virtue — strength used to protect, uphold what's right, serve the good. This is a decisive distinction. Strength, capability, and power are NOT glorious in themselves; they become divine glories only when they serve what's right. Notice the warrior Krishna names as His glory is the one most devoted to righteousness — not the most ruthless or powerful. This reframes how to think about your own power and capability. Whatever strength you've got — physical, intellectual, social, financial, influence of any kind — its highest expression, its participation in something sacred, is in serving the good. Power used only for itself, capability only for self-advancement, strength used to dominate — these aren't glorious, no matter how impressive they look. But the same power, directed toward protecting others, upholding what's right, serving the good — THAT's where it becomes genuinely admirable, even sacred. So the question for any capability you have isn't just 'how strong am I?' but 'what is my strength actually serving?' Let your strength, in whatever form, serve what's right. Power in service of righteousness is the divine glory.

Krishna continues, and one example is very meaningful: among all warriors who carry weapons, He's RAMA! Now, Rama wasn't just strong — he was famous for being GOOD, fair, and always doing the right thing! This teaches us something really important: being strong or powerful isn't wonderful all by itself — it's only wonderful when that strength is used for GOOD things, like protecting others and doing what's right! The strongest hero Krishna picks is the one most devoted to goodness! So here's the lesson: whatever you're good at — whether you're strong, smart, fast, or talented — use it to help others and do what's right! Strength used kindly and for good is truly wonderful. Strength used selfishly or to be a bully is not. Ask yourself: 'What am I using my abilities for?' Always use your strengths to do good!