In Bhagavad Gita 10.27, Krishna says that among horses he is Uchchaihshravas, born of the nectar; among lordly elephants Airavata; and among men the king.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
उच्चैःश्रवसमश्वानां
विद्धि माममृतोद्भवम्
ऐरावतं गजेन्द्राणां
नराणां च नराधिपम् ॥ १०-२७ ॥
uccaiḥśravasamaśvānāṃ
viddhi māmamṛtodbhavam
airāvataṃ gajendrāṇāṃ
narāṇāṃ ca narādhipam
English transliteration uchchaihshravasamashvaanaam
viddhi maamamritodbhavam
airaavatam gajendraanaam
naraanaam cha naraadhipam ॥ 10.27 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Among horses, know Me to be Uchchaihshravas, born from the churning for nectar; among lordly elephants, Airavata; and among men, the king.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| उच्चैःश्रवसम् uccaiḥśravasam | Uccaiḥśravas |
| अश्वानाम् aśvānām | among horses |
| विद्धि viddhi | know |
| माम् mām | Me |
| अमृतोद्भवम् amṛtodbhavam | born from the nectar amṛta (nectar) + udbhavam (born) |
| ऐरावतम् airāvatam | Airāvata |
| गजेन्द्राणाम् gajendrāṇām | among lordly elephants gaja (elephants) + indrāṇām (lords) |
| नराणाम् narāṇām | among men |
| च ca | and |
| नराधिपम् narādhipam | the king nara (men) + adhipam (ruler) |
Word-wise Chanting
- uc–caiḥś–ra–va–sa–maś–vā–nāṃ 8 syllables uch-chaihsh-ra-va-sa-mash-vaa-naam
- vid–dhi mā–ma–mṛ–tod–bha–vam | 8 syllables vid-dhi maa-ma-mri-tod-bha-vam
- ai–rā–va–taṃ ga–jen–drā–ṇāṃ 8 syllables ai-raa-va-tam ga-jen-draa-naam
- na–rā–ṇāṃ ca na–rā–dhi–pam || 10-27 8 syllables na-raa-naam cha na-raa-dhi-pam
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 27
Context
Krishna continues naming his glories (10.21–10.38).
Meaning
Uccaiḥśravas, the divine horse, and Airāvata, Indra’s elephant, both arose from the churning of the ocean for amṛta, the nectar of immortality. Among human beings, the Divine shows itself in the narādhipa, the ruler who protects and serves the people.
The king here represents rightful authority used for the welfare of all. Whenever power is used to protect and uplift, the Divine is present in it.
In Practice
If you hold any responsibility for others, exercise it today as a sacred trust.
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.