A declaration · expansive in mood · a little context helps
“Power, devotion, and majesty are all windows into one presence.”
Among the daityas I am Prahlada; among calculators I am Time. Among beasts I am the lion, and among birds I am Garuda.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallyPrahlada · and · I am · among the daityas · Time · among those who count · I · among beasts · and · lion · I · Garuda · and · among birds
Krishna says he is present as Prahlada among the daityas, as Time among those who count, as the lion among beasts, and as Garuda among birds.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Vibhuti Yoga" (The Yoga of Divine Glories).
Verse 30 sits in Chapter 10 of the Bhagavad Gita — Vibhuti Yoga, "The Yoga of Divine Glories". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
A boy at school stands up to the class bully on behalf of a smaller child. Krishna names Prahlada, who stayed devoted against his own father, and the lion among beasts, so that courage too is counted as his.
Did you like this verse?
Prahlada the devoted son of a demon king, Time the counter, the lion, Garuda: Krishna is in each.
What this verse means
Krishna says he is present as Prahlada among the daityas, as Time among those who count, as the lion among beasts, and as Garuda among birds.
Context & commentary
Arjuna is overwhelmed and Krishna begins naming where divine presence can be seen in the world. He names Prahlada, Time, the lion, and Garuda to show that greatness, power, and devotion all point back to him.
What it looks like today
A boy at school stands up to the class bully on behalf of a smaller child. Krishna names Prahlada, who stayed devoted against his own father, and the lion among beasts, so that courage too is counted as his.
“Strength and devotion are not separate from the divine presence.”
Explore related themes: vibhuti (43 verses)