A core teaching · expansive in mood · a little context helps
“Greatness in the world is a trace of Krishna everywhere.”
Among priests, know Me as Brihaspati; among commanders, I am Skanda; among waters, I am the ocean.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallyamong priests · and · the chief · Me · know · O Partha · Brihaspati · among commanders · I · Skanda · among waters · am · the ocean
Krishna says he is the highest among priests, the commander Skanda, and the ocean among all waters.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Vibhuti Yoga" (The Yoga of Divine Glories).
Verse 24 sits in Chapter 10 of the Bhagavad Gita — Vibhuti Yoga, "The Yoga of Divine Glories". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
On a family trip to the sea at Puri, you stand at the shore and feel small before the water. Krishna says that among waters he is the ocean, so the vastness you feel is a glimpse of him.
Did you like this verse?
Brihaspati among priests, Skanda among generals, the ocean among waters: excellence and vastness point to Krishna.
What this verse means
Krishna says he is the highest among priests, the commander Skanda, and the ocean among all waters.
Context & commentary
Krishna keeps describing how his presence shows up in the world around Arjuna. After naming the greatest among beings and powers, he points to Brihaspati, Skanda, and the ocean to show that excellence and vastness are reflections of him.
What it looks like today
On a family trip to the sea at Puri, you stand at the shore and feel small before the water. Krishna says that among waters he is the ocean, so the vastness you feel is a glimpse of him.
“The world is not separate from the divine presence you move through every day.”
Explore related themes: vibhuti (43 verses)