Gita 10.21
Vibhuti Yoga
आदित्यानामहं विष्णुर्ज्योतिषां रविरंशुमान् | मरीचिर्मरुतामस्मि नक्षत्राणामहं शशी ||
ādityānām ahaṁ viṣṇur jyotiṣāṁ ravir aṁśumān | marīcir marutām asmi nakṣatrāṇām ahaṁ śaśī ||
In essence: Krishna begins His cosmic enumeration with celestial lights: among Adityas He is Vishnu, among all lights the radiant sun, among storm gods Marichi, among stars the moon.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Why does Krishna start with celestial beings? These feel like mythological categories I can't relate to."
Guru: "Have you ever watched a sunrise?"
Sadhak: "Of course."
Guru: "And what did you feel?"
Sadhak: "Wonder... gratitude... something like reverence."
Guru: "That reverence is the recognition this verse points to. Krishna isn't asking you to worship mythological categories. He's saying: that awe you already feel for the radiant sun - 'ravir aṁśumān' - you were touching Me. The myth is secondary; the luminosity is primary. Can you see the sun right now?"
Sadhak: "It's daylight, yes."
Guru: "Then you're looking at a vibhūti. Not metaphorically - directly. This teaching isn't about adding new beliefs but recognizing where divinity already shows itself undeniably. Start there."
Sadhak: "But the moon isn't a star. Why does Krishna say He's the moon among stars?"
Guru: "From whose perspective do you see the night sky?"
Sadhak: "From earth, as a human observer."
Guru: "And from that perspective, what dominates the night sky - what captures attention most fully?"
Sadhak: "The moon, definitely. It outshines everything else."
Guru: "Krishna speaks to the human observer, not the astronomer. Among the lights you actually see at night, the moon is supreme. This is practical pointing, not astronomical classification. Wherever your eye naturally goes to find excellence - that's where I am. The principle matters more than the category. What captures awe is the doorway."
Sadhak: "So I can apply this beyond ancient cosmology? To whatever naturally inspires awe in my experience?"
Guru: "Now you understand. The verse names sun, moon, Vishnu, Marichi - but the teaching is: wherever light appears most fully, there I am. Wherever power manifests most nobly, there I am. Apply it to your world: among scientific discoveries, which illuminates most? Among leaders, who preserves and protects most? These too are vibhūtis. The ancient names point to eternal principles."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Sun salutation with recognition: As you first see sunlight (directly or reflected), pause for one conscious moment. Think: 'Among lights, the radiant sun - this is vibhūti.' Let the sun be your morning reminder of divine presence. If practicing physical surya-namaskar, add this inner recognition to the physical movements. The sun you salute is not mere star but divine manifestation.
Light-awareness practice: Throughout the day, notice sources of light - sunlight through windows, artificial lights, screens. Each time, briefly think: 'This is an extension of that primary Light.' This isn't superstitious attribution but training in seeing - recognizing that all illumination derives from the principle Krishna embodies as the sun. Even artificial light ultimately derives from solar energy (fossil fuels from ancient photosynthesis) or from the scientific understanding that is another form of illumination.
Moon contemplation: If the moon is visible tonight, spend a few minutes in its presence. Think: 'Among the stars I am the moon.' Feel the different quality of moonlight - cooling, gentle, reflective (literally reflecting the sun). Recognize this softer luminosity as equally divine. The Divine has fierce aspects (sun) and gentle aspects (moon). Let the moon teach you that divine excellence isn't always the brightest or hottest but sometimes the most appropriate for the situation.