Chapter 7 Verse 8
Jñāna Vijñāna Yog
रसोऽहमप्सु कौन्तेय प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययोः। प्रणवः सर्ववेदेषु शब्दः खे पौरुषं नृषु।।7.8।।
raso ’ham apsu kaunteya prabhāsmi śhaśhi-sūryayoḥ praṇavaḥ sarva-vedeṣhu śhabdaḥ khe pauruṣhaṁ nṛiṣhu
Word Meanings
| rasaḥ | taste |
| aham | I |
| apsu | in water |
| kaunteya | Arjun, the son of Kunti |
| prabhā | the radiance |
| asmi | I am |
| śhaśhi-sūryayoḥ | of the moon and the sun |
| praṇavaḥ | the sacred syllable Om |
| sarva | in all |
| vedeṣhu | Vedas |
| śhabdaḥ | sound |
| khe | in ether |
| pauruṣham | ability |
| nṛiṣhu | in humans |
Translation
I am the flavor in water, O Arjuna; I am the light in the moon and the sun; I am the syllable Om in all the Vedas, sound in the ether and virility in men.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says the Divine is not only in grand forms but also in the small, quiet qualities of life. The "flavor in water" and the "light in moon and sun" point to a single presence that gives life, taste, and brightness to everything.
By naming Om, sound in ether, and virility in humans, the verse shows that God is the inner power behind knowledge, speech, energy, and sacred practice. The same reality appears as taste, light, sound, and life-force — different faces of one presence.
Spiritually, this teaches that the sacred is present in ordinary experiences. Recognizing that inner presence changes how we see the world: things become signs of the Divine rather than mere objects.
Life Application
- When you eat, breathe, or enjoy sunlight, pause and notice the presence behind the experience — this turns routine into a short spiritual practice.
- Use simple sound or mantra (for example, Om) and attentive listening to bring calm and remind yourself of the deeper presence in daily life.
- Treat your own strength and others’ strengths with respect, seeing bodily energy as a gift to use wisely and kindly.
Reflection Question
Where in your daily life can you feel a deeper presence showing itself as taste, light, sound, or energy?