Verse 10-22

वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासव: |

इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चास्मि भूतानामस्मि चेतना || 22 ||

“Among the Vedas, I am the Sama Veda; among the gods, I am Indra. Among the senses, I am the mind, and among living beings, I am consciousness.” 
 
Commentary:

Lord Krishna continues to reveal His divine manifestations and identifies Himself with various aspects of knowledge, deities, and living entities.

 

Krishna declares Himself as the Sama Veda among the Vedas. The Vedas are ancient scriptures that contain profound knowledge and wisdom. The Sama Veda is a branch of the Vedas that focuses on the melodic chants and hymns. By associating Himself with the Sama Veda, Krishna highlights His connection to the devotional aspect of spirituality, emphasizing the importance of sacred chants and musical expression in worship.

 

Among the gods, Krishna identifies Himself as Indra. Indra is one of the prominent deities in Hindu mythology, known as the king of the gods and the ruler of the heavens. Indra represents power, strength, and leadership. By associating Himself with Indra, Krishna symbolizes His divine authority and supremacy over all celestial beings.

 

Krishna further states that among the senses, He is the mind. The mind plays a crucial role in perception, cognition, and the functioning of the senses. It is the seat of emotions, thoughts, and consciousness. By identifying Himself with the mind, Krishna signifies His presence in the realm of inner experiences and the pivotal role of the mind in human existence.

 

Lastly, Krishna declares Himself as consciousness among all living beings. Consciousness is the essential aspect that gives life and awareness to sentient beings. It is the underlying force that animates all living entities and allows them to experience and interact with the world. By asserting Himself as consciousness, Krishna highlights His transcendental nature and the source of consciousness that pervades all existence.

 

Through these examples, Krishna reveals His divine manifestations in different aspects of knowledge, deities, and consciousness. He emphasizes the importance of devotional expression, His supremacy over celestial beings, His presence within the mind, and the fundamental essence of consciousness that permeates all living entities. These manifestations signify the depth and breadth of His divine nature and His role in the cosmic order.