In Bhagavad Gita 10.28, Krishna says that among weapons he is the thunderbolt, among cows the wish-fulfilling cow, among procreators Kandarpa, and among serpents Vasuki.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
आयुधानामहं वज्रं
धेनूनामस्मि कामधुक्
प्रजनश्चास्मि कन्दर्पः
सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकिः ॥ १०-२८ ॥
āyudhānāmahaṃ vajraṃ
dhenūnāmasmi kāmadhuk
prajanaścāsmi kandarpaḥ
sarpāṇāmasmi vāsukiḥ
English transliteration aayudhaanaamaham vajram
dhenoonaamasmi kaamadhuk
prajanashchaasmi kandarpah
sarpaanaamasmi vaasukih ॥ 10.28 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Among weapons I am the thunderbolt; among cows I am the wish-fulfilling cow; I am Kandarpa, the god of love, who brings forth offspring; and among serpents I am Vasuki.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| आयुधानाम् āyudhānām | among weapons |
| अहम् aham | I |
| वज्रम् vajram | the thunderbolt |
| धेनूनाम् dhenūnām | among cows |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| कामधुक् kāmadhuk | the wish-fulfilling cow kāma (wishes) + dhuk (yielding) |
| प्रजनः prajanaḥ | who brings forth offspring |
| च ca | and |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| कन्दर्पः kandarpaḥ | Kandarpa, god of love |
| सर्पाणाम् sarpāṇām | among serpents |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| वासुकिः vāsukiḥ | Vāsuki |
Word-wise Chanting
- ā–yu–dhā–nā–ma–haṃ vaj–raṃ 8 syllables aa-yu-dhaa-naa-ma-ham vaj-ram
- dhe–nū–nā–mas–mi kā–ma–dhuk | 8 syllables dhe-noo-naa-mas-mi kaa-ma-dhuk
- pra–ja–naś–cās–mi kan–dar–paḥ 8 syllables pra-ja-nash-chaas-mi kan-dar-pah
- sar–pā–ṇā–mas–mi vā–su–kiḥ || 10-28 8 syllables sar-paa-naa-mas-mi vaa-su-kih
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 28
Context
Krishna continues naming his glories (10.21–10.38).
Meaning
The vajra, Indra’s thunderbolt, is the mightiest weapon; Kāmadhenu, the cow that grants every wish, is the best of cows; Kandarpa, love as the power of procreation, is the Divine in the continuation of life; and Vāsuki is king of the serpents.
Even desire, in its right form as the power of creating new life, is a manifestation of the Divine. This echoes 7.11, where desire not opposed to dharma is called divine.
In Practice
Honour the creative power of love in your family or community today as something sacred.
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.