Chapter 10 Verse 26
Vibhūti Yog
अश्वत्थः सर्ववृक्षाणां देवर्षीणां च नारदः। गन्धर्वाणां चित्ररथः सिद्धानां कपिलो मुनिः।।10.26।।
aśhvatthaḥ sarva-vṛikṣhāṇāṁ devarṣhīṇāṁ cha nāradaḥ gandharvāṇāṁ chitrarathaḥ siddhānāṁ kapilo muniḥ
Word Meanings
| aśhvatthaḥ | the banyan tree |
| sarva-vṛikṣhāṇām | amongst all trees |
| deva-ṛiṣhīṇām | amongst celestial sages |
| cha | and |
| nāradaḥ | Narad |
| gandharvāṇām | amongst the gandharvas |
| chitrarathaḥ | Chitrarath |
| siddhānām | of all those who are perfected |
| kapilaḥ muniḥ | sage Kapil |
Translation
Among all the trees, I am the Peepul; among the divine sages, I am Narada; among the Gandharvas, I am Chitraratha; among the perfected, I am the sage Kapila.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Here Krishna points out how the Divine shows up as the best example in every field. He names a tree, a sage, a musician, and a teacher to show that the one reality expresses itself in many forms.
Each example stands for a quality: the Peepul (banyan) for shelter and endurance, Narada for devotion and inspired speech, Chitraratha for beauty and joyful art, Kapila for deep wisdom and discernment. Seeing these is a way to recognize the Divine’s work in life.
Philosophically, the verse teaches that divinity is present in qualities, not only in a single form. If we learn to see and honor these qualities, we connect with the spiritual source in everyday life.
Life Application
- Notice and practice one quality: be steady like the banyan, speak kindly and upliftingly like Narada, enjoy creative joy like Chitraratha, or reflect and choose wisely like Kapila.
- Keep simple reminders: a tree, a piece of music, a wise passage, or a quiet moment to tune your actions to those virtues.
- When interacting with others, look for their good qualities first and respond from respect rather than judgment.
Reflection Question
Which one of these divine qualities do I most need to bring into my daily life right now?