Chapter 10 Shloka 24
पुरोधसां च मुख्यं मां विद्धि पार्थ बृहस्पतिम्।
सेनानीनामहं स्कन्द: सरसामस्मि सागर:।।२४।।
Speaking of His divine manifestations, the Lord continues:
And O Arjuna! Amongst the great priests, I am Brihaspati; I am Skanda amongst the commanders of armies, and the ocean amongst the natural reservoirs.
The Lord says “I am Brihaspati amongst the priests.”
Little one, a priest is one who:
a) works as another’s representative;
b) looks after the work of others, in their interest;
c) serves another in the other’s absence.
Brihaspati (बृहस्पति)
a) Brihaspati is known to be the possessor of total and complete knowledge.
b) Brihaspati is known as Indra’s priest.
c) Brihaspati is known to have been instrumental in establishing the devtas or deities in the Atma.
d) Brihaspati is also the priest of the devtas or deities.
“I am Skanda amongst the commanders of armies.”
1. Skanda was the commander of the armies of the divine forces – the devtas.
2. He is the protector of those who fight for the Truth.
3. He is known as the god of war.
4. He is the annihilator of demons and their demonic attributes.
5. He is the protector of goodness.
6. He is considered to be extremely proficient in deeds and in diplomacy.
The Lord says, “I am that Skanda!”
Then the Lord says, “Amongst all natural reservoirs, I am the ocean.”
That ocean into which all rivers flow, from which all the clouds absorb water to fill all the reservoirs, that ocean is the Lord Himself.
Arjuna had requested the Lord, “Tell me of Your divine manifestations, meditating on which I can know You.”
In reply it is as if the Lord is saying, “No matter what you meditate on, I am that. Meditate on it, knowing it to be Me.” Remember, the Lord had said earlier that He does not destroy anybody’s faith. Whatever you have faith in, know that to be a divine manifestation or vibhuti of the Lord. It is verily a constituent of the indestructible Atma Self.
