Bhagavad Gita 10.37 — The Lord as Vāsudeva, Dhanañjaya, Vyāsa and Uśhanā
वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनञ्जयः ।
मुनीनामप्यहं व्यासः कवीनामुशना कविः ॥ १०.३७ ॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
The Blessed Lord said: Among the Vṛiṣhṇis I am Vāsudeva; among the Pāṇḍavas I am Dhanañjaya; among the sages I am Vyāsa; and among the wise seers I am Uśhanā.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| vṛiṣhṇīnām | among the Vṛiṣhṇis, Krishna's clan |
| vāsudevaḥ | Vāsudeva, Krishna |
| asmi | I am |
| pāṇḍavānām | among the Pāṇḍavas, the sons of Pāṇḍu |
| dhanañjayaḥ | Dhanañjaya, Arjuna, winner of wealth |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| munīnām | among the sages |
| api | also |
| aham | I |
| vyāsaḥ | Vyāsa |
| kavīnām | among the wise seers, among poets |
| uśhanā | Uśhanā, the sage Shukrāchārya |
| kaviḥ | the wise seer |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| vṛiṣhṇīnām | among the Vṛiṣhṇis, Krishna's clan | munīnām | among the sages |
| vāsudevaḥ | Vāsudeva, Krishna | api | also |
| asmi | I am | aham | I |
| pāṇḍavānām | among the Pāṇḍavas, the sons of Pāṇḍu | vyāsaḥ | Vyāsa |
| dhanañjayaḥ | Dhanañjaya, Arjuna, winner of wealth | kavīnām | among the wise seers, among poets |
| uśhanā | Uśhanā, the sage Shukrāchārya | ||
| kaviḥ | the wise seer | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna brings the catalogue close to home: among the Vṛṣṇis He is Vāsudeva, among the Pāṇḍavas He is Arjuna, among sages He is Vyāsa, and among poets He is Uśanā. The verse is personal and affectionate, since Krishna names Himself and Arjuna among the examples.
Essence
The Divine Present in Familiar Faces
Vṛṣṇīnāṁ vāsudevo 'smi (among the Vṛṣṇis, I am Vāsudeva): The Vṛṣṇis were the clan to which Krishna belonged. Here He names Himself, Vāsudeva, as the foremost among them. This is a quiet reminder that the one who is speaking is not merely a charioteer but the Supreme Lord Himself.
Pāṇḍavānāṁ dhanañjayaḥ (among the Pāṇḍavas, I am Dhanañjaya): Dhanañjaya, "conqueror of wealth," is a name of Arjuna. Krishna says that among the five brothers, He is Arjuna. This is a tender statement. The student who listens is also described as a manifestation of the Lord's glory, which should lift Arjuna's sense of worth and responsibility.
Munīnām apy ahaṁ vyāsaḥ (among sages, I am Vyāsa): Vyāsa compiled the Vedas, composed the Mahābhārata and thus preserved this very conversation for future generations. Naming him honours the transmission of wisdom.
Kavīnām uśanā kaviḥ (among poets and seers, I am Uśanā): Uśanā, also known as Śukrācārya, is regarded as a great seer and master of ethics and statecraft, the preceptor of the daityas. The word kavi here means a wise seer rather than only a poet.
The Divine Is Near
After naming mountains, oceans and celestial beings, Krishna now speaks of a clan, a brother and a sage that Arjuna knows. This closes the distance between the cosmic and the personal. The Lord is not far away. He is also present in the people and relationships around us.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing Worth in Yourself and Others)
Recognise your own worth: Arjuna's inclusion in the list is a reminder that each person carries a spark of the Divine. Self-respect grounded in this truth is healthy, as it carries responsibility rather than pride.
Appreciate those who preserve wisdom: Teachers, writers and elders pass knowledge forward. Expressing gratitude to them is part of honouring the Divine in everyday life.
The Divine Present in Familiar Faces
Vṛṣṇīnāṁ vāsudevo 'smi (among the Vṛṣṇis, I am Vāsudeva): The Vṛṣṇis were the clan to which Krishna belonged. Here He names Himself, Vāsudeva, as the foremost among them. This is a quiet reminder that the one who is speaking is not merely a charioteer but the Supreme Lord Himself.
Pāṇḍavānāṁ dhanañjayaḥ (among the Pāṇḍavas, I am Dhanañjaya): Dhanañjaya, "conqueror of wealth," is a name of Arjuna. Krishna says that among the five brothers, He is Arjuna. This is a tender statement. The student who listens is also described as a manifestation of the Lord's glory, which should lift Arjuna's sense of worth and responsibility.
Munīnām apy ahaṁ vyāsaḥ (among sages, I am Vyāsa): Vyāsa compiled the Vedas, composed the Mahābhārata and thus preserved this very conversation for future generations. Naming him honours the transmission of wisdom.
Kavīnām uśanā kaviḥ (among poets and seers, I am Uśanā): Uśanā, also known as Śukrācārya, is regarded as a great seer and master of ethics and statecraft, the preceptor of the daityas. The word kavi here means a wise seer rather than only a poet.
The Divine Is Near
After naming mountains, oceans and celestial beings, Krishna now speaks of a clan, a brother and a sage that Arjuna knows. This closes the distance between the cosmic and the personal. The Lord is not far away. He is also present in the people and relationships around us.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing Worth in Yourself and Others)
Recognise your own worth: Arjuna's inclusion in the list is a reminder that each person carries a spark of the Divine. Self-respect grounded in this truth is healthy, as it carries responsibility rather than pride.
Appreciate those who preserve wisdom: Teachers, writers and elders pass knowledge forward. Expressing gratitude to them is part of honouring the Divine in everyday life.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has named Vāsudeva, Dhanañjaya, Vyāsa and Uśanā. In the next verse, He turns to the principles of discipline, statecraft, silence and wisdom, naming the rod of punishment, sound policy, silence and the knowledge of the knower.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
The greatest teachers see the best in their students.
To preserve knowledge is to serve the future.
Seers do not predict; they perceive.
Being seen with love is a spiritual gift.
What we pass on outlives what we own.
Devotion and courage make a person a light for others.
A guide is trusted when their words and life align.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is 'vāsudevaḥ' (Vāsudeva, Krishna) among the 'vṛiṣhṇīnām' (Vṛiṣhṇis)?
Why does the Lord call Arjuna 'dhanañjayaḥ' (Dhanañjaya, winner of wealth) among the 'pāṇḍavānām' (Pāṇḍavas)?
Who is 'vyāsaḥ' (Vyāsa) among the 'munīnām' (sages)?
Who is 'uśhanā kaviḥ' (Uśhanā, the wise seer)?
Why does the Lord mention Himself and Arjuna in a list of glories?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: