
9
CHAPTER
VERSE
16
अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञ: स्वधाहमहमौषधम् |
मन्त्रोऽहमहमेवाज्यमहमग्निरहं हुतम् || 9.16 ||
aham̐ kraturaham̐ yajñaḥ svadhāhamahamauṣhadham |
mantro'hamahamevājyamahamagniraham̐ hutam ||
I am the ritual, I am the sacrifice, I am the offering to ancestors, I am the healing herb, I am the mantra, I am the clarified butter, I am the fire, and I am the oblation.
Lesson:
In this verse from the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna is explaining the all-encompassing nature of his presence in the world. He declares himself as the very essence and embodiment of various aspects of religious and spiritual practices.
1. I am the ritual (kratu): Lord Krishna emphasizes that he is the essence of any ritual performed in the name of God or for spiritual purification. He is the fundamental principle behind all religious ceremonies.
2. I am the sacrifice (yajna): Yajna refers to sacrificial offerings made in Vedic rituals. Lord Krishna asserts that he is the ultimate beneficiary and recipient of all such offerings, symbolizing his omnipresence and omnipotence.
3. I am the offering to ancestors (svadha): Svadha denotes offerings made to deceased ancestors in Hindu rituals. Krishna states that he is the very essence of these offerings, representing his connection to the past, present, and future.
4. I am the healing herb (aushadha): Lord Krishna identifies himself as the source of healing and well-being, suggesting that he is the ultimate remedy for all afflictions, physical or spiritual.
5. I am the mantra: Mantra signifies sacred chants or incantations used in meditation or worship. Krishna asserts his identity as the divine sound vibration permeating throughout creation, resonating with cosmic energy.
6. I am the clarified butter (ajya): Ajya refers to clarified butter used in Vedic rituals as an offering to the sacred fire. Krishna declares himself as the very substance of this offering, symbolizing purity and nourishment.
7. I am the fire (agni): Agni represents the divine fire, both literal and symbolic, used in rituals as a medium of communication with the divine. Krishna proclaims his presence as the transformative force behind all spiritual practices.
8. I am the oblation (huta): Huta refers to the offerings made into the sacred fire during rituals. Krishna asserts his identity as the ultimate recipient of these offerings, symbolizing the act of surrendering to the divine.
Overall, this verse illustrates the omnipresence and omnipotence of Lord Krishna, emphasizing his integral role in all aspects of religious and spiritual practices. It serves to remind devotees of his divine presence in every facet of their lives, guiding and nurturing them on their spiritual journey.