Bhagavad Gita — Vibhuti Yoga, Shloka 28

Vibhuti Yoga

Devanagari script

आयुधानामहं वज्रं धेनूनामस्मि कामधुक् । प्रजनश्चास्मि कन्दर्पः सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकिः ॥ १०.२८ ॥

Transliteration

āyudhānām ahaṃ vajraṃ dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk | prajanaś cāsmi kandarpaḥ sarpāṇām asmi vāsukiḥ || 10.28 ||

Translation

Among weapons I am the Vajra (thunderbolt); among cows I am Kāmadhuk, the wish-fulfilling cow. I am procreation, and I am Kandarpa (the god of love); among serpents I am Vāsuki.

Gita Press Meaning

Among weapons I am the thunderbolt (Vajra); among cows I am the wish-fulfilling cow (Kāmadhuk); I am procreation, and I am Kandarpa (the god of love); among serpents I am Vāsuki.

Critical Edition Meaning

Of instruments of power I am the vajra; of cows I am Kāmadhenu; I am procreative generation, and I am Kandarpa; of serpents I am Vāsuki.

Comparative Note

‘āyudha’ can be translated ‘weapon,’ but in this chapter the intent is typological eminence, not advocacy of harm; ‘vajra’ also symbolizes irresistible force/authority. ‘prajana’ and ‘Kandarpa’ connect desire and generativity to cosmic continuity.

Word by Word

• आयुधानाम्: of weapons
• Root: आयुध

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta
• Root: अस्मद्

• वज्रम्: the thunderbolt (Vajra)
• Root: वज्र

• धेनूनाम्: of cows
• Root: धेनु

• अस्मि: am
• Root: √अस्

• कामधुक्: Kāmadhenū, the wish-fulfilling cow
• Root: कामधुक्

• प्रजनः: procreation; the begetter (power of generation)
• Root: प्रजन

• च: and
• Root: च

• अस्मि: am
• Root: √अस्

• कन्दर्पः: Kandarpa (Kāma), the god of love
• Root: कन्दर्प

• सर्पाणाम्: of serpents
• Root: सर्प

• अस्मि: am
• Root: √अस्

• वासुकिः: Vāsuki
• Root: वासुकि

Speakers

• Krishna

Primary Concepts

• Vibhuti
• Śakti (power)
• Kāma and generativity

Key Themes

• Symbolic power and authority
• Fertility and continuity of life
• Desire’s place within dharmic order

FAQs

Psychological significance?

It acknowledges multiple human drives—power, nourishment, desire, continuity—suggesting they can be understood and integrated rather than merely suppressed.

Metaphysical meaning?

The verse presents divine presence in compelling force (vajra) and in life’s generative principle (prajana/Kandarpa), indicating a sacral dimension to both order and creativity.

Contextual relevance?

Continuing the vibhūti catalogue, it spans social-symbolic power, abundance motifs, eros/generation, and mythic serpent lineages.

Modern Application?

Can be read as encouraging ethical channeling of power and desire—recognizing their potency while aligning them with responsibility and well-being.