Gita 10.29

Vibhuti Yoga

अनन्तश्चास्मि नागानां वरुणो यादसामहम् । पितॄणामर्यमा चास्मि यमः संयमतामहम् ॥

anantaś cāsmi nāgānāṁ varuṇo yādasām aham | pitṝṇām aryamā cāsmi yamaḥ saṁyamatām aham ||

In essence: The infinite serpent supporting all worlds, the ancient god upholding cosmic waters, the ancestor who oversees the departed, and the ultimate controller who receives all beings - in these guardians of existence's foundations and boundaries, the Divine reveals Himself.

A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply

Sadhak-Guru Dialogue

Sadhak: "Ananta, Varuna, Aryama, Yama - these feel like the hidden rulers, the powers behind the scenes."

Guru: "Precisely. What do they have in common?"

Sadhak: "They're all... structural? They maintain the framework within which life happens?"

Guru: "Yes. Ananta supports the worlds. Varuna maintains cosmic order through the waters. Aryama connects generations. Yama enforces consequences. None of these are visible in daily life, yet without them...?"

Sadhak: "Everything would collapse. There'd be no foundation, no order, no connection to the past, no accountability."

Guru: "So Krishna reveals Himself not only in the spectacular but in the structural - the invisible supports and boundaries that make life possible."

Sadhak: "But Yama? Death? How is death divine?"

Guru: "Is Yama merely death, or is he called something else?"

Sadhak: "Dharmaraja - the king of dharma."

Guru: "And what does that mean?"

Sadhak: "That he ensures justice? That everyone faces the consequences of their actions?"

Guru: "Exactly. Without Yama, the wicked would never face consequences. Moreover, he represents the boundary that gives life meaning. If there were no end, would you value your time?"

Sadhak: "Probably not. It's the limit that creates urgency."

Guru: "So Yama's function - ending lives and judging them - serves life itself."

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🌅 Daily Practice

🌅 Morning

Ananta foundation practice: Before rising, while still lying down, feel the support beneath you. The bed holds you; the floor holds the bed; the earth holds the building. Ananta represents infinite support beneath finite existence. Feel held by this foundation. Set intention: 'Today I rest on infinite support. I don't need to anxiously hold myself up.'

☀️ Daytime

Aryama ancestral awareness: At some point during the day (perhaps during a meal), pause to acknowledge your ancestors. Simply think: 'I exist because of countless beings before me - parents, grandparents, extending back endlessly. Whatever I accomplish today is built on what they gave.' This acknowledgment connects you to lineage and prevents the illusion that you are self-made.

🌙 Evening

Yama contemplation: Before sleep, acknowledge mortality. Not morbidly, but honestly: 'This day is gone and will not return. Yama's boundary approaches with each sunset.' Ask: 'If this were my last day, would I be satisfied with how I lived it?' Then, release the day: 'This day is complete. I offer its karma to cosmic justice.'

Common Questions

Why is Ananta separate from Vasuki if both are serpents?

Vasuki and Ananta represent different aspects and categories. Vasuki is among 'sarpas' (serpents generally) - representing mystery and endurance. Ananta is among 'nagas' (divine serpent-beings) - representing infinity and cosmic support. Ananta literally means 'endless'; he is Shesha upon whom Vishnu rests and on whose hoods the worlds are supported. While Vasuki represents one serpent's qualities, Ananta represents the principle of infinite foundational support.

How should I understand Yama? Is he to be feared or worshipped?

Yama is both - feared for his inevitability, respected for his justice. He's called Dharmaraja because his function is maintaining moral order. Fear of Yama is healthy if it motivates righteous living. Death itself isn't evil - it's transition and transformation. Yama oversees this transition with perfect justice. His function is divine because without consequences, dharma would be meaningless.

What is the practical relevance of ancestors (pitris) and Aryama for modern people?

Even if you don't perform traditional pitru-tarpana rituals, the principle Aryama represents remains vital. You are not a self-made individual but the product of countless generations whose sacrifices enabled your existence. Honoring this connection - through gratitude, through carrying forward their worthy values - is Aryama's domain. The connection with ancestors remains meaningful whether through ritual or simply through lived gratitude.

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