Chapter 10 Verse 27
Vibhūti Yog
उच्चैःश्रवसमश्वानां विद्धि माममृतोद्भवम्। ऐरावतं गजेन्द्राणां नराणां च नराधिपम्।।10.27।।
uchchaiḥśhravasam aśhvānāṁ viddhi mām amṛitodbhavam airāvataṁ gajendrāṇāṁ narāṇāṁ cha narādhipam
Word Meanings
| uchchaiḥśhravasam | Uchchaihshrava |
| aśhvānām | amongst horses |
| viddhi | know |
| mām | me |
| amṛita-udbhavam | begotten from the churning of the ocean of nectar |
| airāvatam | Airavata |
| gaja-indrāṇām | amongst all lordly elephants |
| narāṇām | amongst humans |
| cha | and |
| nara-adhipam | the king |
Translation
Know Me as Ucchaisravas, born of nectar, among horses; Airavata among lordly elephants; and the king among men.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Here Krishna points out that the divine appears as the highest example in every field: as Ucchaisravas among horses, Airavata among elephants, and as the king among humans. The idea is that the supreme reality is present in the best qualities we see in the world.
This verse asks us to recognise that excellence and leadership are expressions of the same source. It also gently warns against confusing the form with the origin — admire and learn from greatness, but remember its deeper spiritual root and do not become blindly attached.
Life Application
- When you admire skill, strength, or leadership, treat it as inspiration: study the qualities behind it and try to develop them in your own life.
- Respect capable people and good institutions, but stay aware: evaluate their actions and keep your inner values first.
- Practice gratitude for examples of excellence and use them to guide everyday choices — work with integrity, steadiness, and service.
Reflection Question
What excellent quality in someone else can I consciously cultivate in myself today?