Bhagavad Gita — Vibhuti Yoga, Shloka 22

Vibhuti Yoga

Devanagari script

वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासवः । इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चास्मि भूतानामस्मि चेतना ॥ १०.२२ ॥

Transliteration

vedānāṃ sāma-vedo 'smi devānām asmi vāsavaḥ | indriyāṇāṃ manaś cāsmi bhūtānām asmi cetanā || 10.22 ||

Translation

Among the Vedas I am the Sāma Veda; among the gods I am Vāsava (Indra); among the senses I am the mind; and among beings I am consciousness.

Gita Press Meaning

Among the Vedas I am the Sama Veda; among the gods I am Vasava (Indra); among the senses I am the mind; and among beings I am consciousness.

Critical Edition Meaning

Of the Vedas I am the Sāma-veda; of the gods I am Vāsava; of the faculties I am mind; of beings I am sentience (cetanā).

Comparative Note

‘indriyāṇām manaḥ’ reflects an older taxonomy where mind is counted as a coordinating faculty among sense-powers. ‘cetanā’ may be translated as consciousness/sentience/awareness; interpretive traditions differ on whether this is individual consciousness or the enabling principle of consciousness.

Word by Word

• वेदानाम्: of the Vedas
• Root: वेद

• सामवेदः: the Sāma Veda
• सामवेदः: Karta
• Root: सामवेद

• अस्मि: I am
• Root: √अस्

• देवानाम्: of the gods
• Root: देव

• अस्मि: I am
• Root: √अस्

• वासवः: Vāsava (Indra)
• वासवः: Karta
• Root: वासव

• इन्द्रियाणाम्: of the senses
• Root: इन्द्रिय

• मनः: the mind
• मनः: Karta
• Root: मनस्

• च: and
• Root: च

• अस्मि: I am
• Root: √अस्

• भूतानाम्: of beings (created entities)
• Root: भूत

• अस्मि: I am
• Root: √अस्

• चेतना: consciousness; sentience
• चेतना: Karta
• Root: चेतना

Speakers

• Krishna

Primary Concepts

• Śruti authority (Veda)
• Manas
• Cetanā

Key Themes

• Hierarchy of faculties
• Consciousness as defining mark of life
• Cultural canon as vibhūti

FAQs

Psychological significance?

Highlighting mind as the chief coordinator emphasizes that attention and interpretation shape experience more than raw sensory input.

Metaphysical meaning?

By identifying with cetanā, the verse points to consciousness as the distinguishing principle in living beings and a key indicator of the sacred.

Contextual relevance?

The list now spans textual tradition (Vedas), divine governance (Indra), inner faculties (mind), and the life-principle (cetanā).

Modern Application?

Supports practices that refine attention and ethical discernment, treating consciousness as central to well-being.