टीका

Commentary

This verse continues Krishna’s vibhuti enumeration across four diverse domains: warfare, pastoral life, procreation, and the serpent kingdom.

Among weapons, He is the vajra — the thunderbolt. The vajra is the weapon of Indra, forged from the bones of the sage Dadhichi. It is the most powerful weapon in the celestial arsenal, capable of destroying any enemy. Its irresistible power represents the divine force that upholds cosmic order.

Among cows, He is Kaamadhuk — the Kamadhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow. In Vedic lore, the Kamadhenu resides in the spiritual world (Vaikuntha/Krishnaloka) and can fulfill any desire. She yields unlimited milk and represents abundance, nourishment, and divine generosity. The cow holds a special place in Hindu culture as a symbol of the earth’s bounty, and the Kamadhenu is the supreme among all cows.

Among causes of procreation, He is Kandarpa — also known as Kamadeva, the god of love. This is an important distinction. Krishna does not condemn desire itself. When desire is directed toward the production of good children and the continuation of dharmic life, it is a sacred force. The Gita already stated (7.11): “I am desire that is not contrary to dharma.” Kandarpa represents this sanctified desire — not lust for gratification, but the creative impulse that sustains life.

Among serpents, He is Vasuki — the great serpent king who served as the rope during the churning of the ocean of milk. Vasuki is among the most powerful serpents, and his role in the cosmic churning event demonstrates that even the serpent kingdom participates in the grand divine play. Together, these four identifications show that the Divine is present in power, in abundance, in the creative force of life, and in the mysterious depths of the serpent world.