In Bhagavad Gita 10.31, Krishna says that among purifiers he is the wind, among wielders of weapons Rama, among sea creatures the makara, and among rivers the Ganga.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
पवनः पवतामस्मि
रामः शस्त्रभृतामहम्
झषाणां मकरश्चास्मि
स्रोतसामस्मि जाह्नवी ॥ १०-३१ ॥
pavanaḥ pavatāmasmi
rāmaḥ śastrabhṛtāmaham
jhaṣāṇāṃ makaraścāsmi
srotasāmasmi jāhnavī
English transliteration pavanah pavataamasmi
raamah shastrabhritaamaham
jhashaanaam makarashchaasmi
srotasaamasmi jaahnavee ॥ 10.31 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Among purifiers I am the wind; among wielders of weapons I am Rama; among sea creatures I am the makara; and among rivers I am the Ganga.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| पवनः pavanaḥ | the wind |
| पवताम् pavatām | among purifiers |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| रामः rāmaḥ | Rāma |
| शस्त्रभृताम् śastrabhṛtām | among wielders of weapons śastra (weapons) + bhṛtām (wielders) |
| अहम् aham | I |
| झषाणाम् jhaṣāṇām | among sea creatures |
| मकरः makaraḥ | the makara |
| च ca | and |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| स्रोतसाम् srotasām | among rivers |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| जाह्नवी jāhnavī | the Gaṅgā |
Word-wise Chanting
- pa–va–naḥ pa–va–tā–mas–mi 8 syllables pa-va-nah pa-va-taa-mas-mi
- rā–maḥ śas–tra–bhṛ–tā–ma–ham | 8 syllables raa-mah shas-tra-bhri-taa-ma-ham
- jha–ṣā–ṇāṃ ma–ka–raś–cās–mi 8 syllables jha-shaa-naam ma-ka-rash-chaas-mi
- sro–ta–sā–mas–mi jāh–na–vī || 10-31 8 syllables sro-ta-saa-mas-mi jaah-na-vee
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 31
Context
Krishna continues naming his glories (10.21–10.38).
Meaning
The wind purifies the air; Rāma, the ideal warrior-king, embodies righteous strength; the makara is the mightiest creature of the waters; and Jāhnavī, the Gaṅgā, is the most sacred of rivers, honoured as a purifier.
Rāma represents strength joined with righteousness. The Divine appears in power that is used to protect dharma.
In Practice
Use your strength today to protect or support someone who needs it.
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.