In Bhagavad Gita 10.23, Krishna says that among the Rudras he is Shankara, among yakshas and rakshasas Kubera, among the Vasus fire, and among mountains Meru.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
रुद्राणां शङ्करश्चास्मि
वित्तेशो यक्षरक्षसाम्
वसूनां पावकश्चास्मि
मेरुः शिखरिणामहम् ॥ १०-२३ ॥
rudrāṇāṃ śaṅkaraścāsmi
vitteśo yakṣarakṣasām
vasūnāṃ pāvakaścāsmi
meruḥ śikhariṇāmaham
English transliteration rudraanaam shankarashchaasmi
vittesho yaksharakshasaam
vasoonaam paavakashchaasmi
meruh shikharinaamaham ॥ 10.23 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Among the Rudras I am Shankara; among the yakshas and rakshasas, the lord of wealth; among the Vasus I am fire; and among the peaks, I am Meru.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| रुद्राणाम् rudrāṇām | among the Rudras |
| शङ्करः śaṅkaraḥ | Śaṅkara |
| च ca | and |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| वित्तेशः vitteśaḥ | the lord of wealth, Kubera vitta (wealth) + īśaḥ (lord) |
| यक्षरक्षसाम् yakṣarakṣasām | among yakṣas and rākṣasas |
| वसूनाम् vasūnām | among the Vasus |
| पावकः pāvakaḥ | fire |
| च ca | and |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| मेरुः meruḥ | Meru |
| शिखरिणाम् śikhariṇām | among peaks |
| अहम् aham | I |
Word-wise Chanting
- rud–rā–ṇāṃ śaṅ–ka–raś–cās–mi 8 syllables rud-raa-naam shan-ka-rash-chaas-mi
- vit–te–śo ya–kṣa–ra–kṣa–sām | 8 syllables vit-te-sho ya-ksha-ra-ksha-saam
- va–sū–nāṃ pā–va–kaś–cās–mi 8 syllables va-soo-naam paa-va-kash-chaas-mi
- me–ruḥ śi–kha–ri–ṇā–ma–ham || 10-23 8 syllables me-ruh shi-kha-ri-naa-ma-ham
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 10 Verse 23
Context
Krishna continues naming his glories (10.21–10.38).
Meaning
Among the eleven Rudras, Krishna is Śaṅkara, the auspicious Śiva; among yakṣas and rākṣasas, Kubera, the lord of wealth; among the eight Vasus, Agni, the purifying fire; among mountains, Meru, the cosmic mountain at the centre of the world.
The Divine is recognised in auspiciousness, abundance, purification and stability. Each of these qualities is a window onto the sacred.
In Practice
When you see a mountain or a fire today, or think of one, remember the Divine’s steadiness and purifying power.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 10: Vibhuti Yoga (The Divine Manifestations). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.