Bhagavad Gita — Vibhuti Yoga, Shloka 30

Vibhuti Yoga

Devanagari script

प्रह्लादश्चास्मि दैत्यानां कालः कलयतामहम् । मृगाणां च मृगेन्द्रोऽहं वैनतेयश्च पक्षिणाम् ॥ १०.३० ॥

Transliteration

prahlādaś cāsmi daityānāṃ kālaḥ kalayatām aham | mṛgāṇāṃ ca mṛgendro 'haṃ vainateyaś ca pakṣiṇām || 10.30 ||

Translation

Among the Daityas I am Prahlāda; among those who reckon, I am Time. Among beasts I am the lord of beasts; among birds I am Vainateya (Garuḍa).

Gita Press Meaning

Among the Daityas I am Prahlāda; among reckoners I am Time. Among animals I am the king of beasts; among birds I am Vainateya (Garuḍa).

Critical Edition Meaning

Among the Daityas I am Prahlāda; among those who compute/measure I am Time; among beasts I am the lord of beasts (lion); among birds I am Vainateya (Garuḍa).

Comparative Note

The key interpretive point is kalayatām: it can mean “those who count/measure” (astronomical, calendrical, or evaluative) rather than “those who deceive.” Many translations gloss mṛgendra as “lion.”

Word by Word

• प्रह्लादः: Prahlāda
• Root: प्रह्लाद

• च: and
• Root: च

• अस्मि: I am
• Root: √अस्

• दैत्यानाम्: of the Dāityas (demons)
• Root: दैत्य

• कालः: Time
• Root: काल

• कलयताम्: of those who count/compute (reckoners)
• Root: √कल् (कलयति)

• अहम्: I
• Root: अस्मद्

• मृगाणाम्: of animals/beasts (deer etc.)
• Root: मृग

• च: and
• Root: च

• मृगेन्द्रः: the lord of beasts (lion)
• Root: मृगेन्द्र

• अहम्: I
• Root: अस्मद्

• वैनतेयः: Vainateya (Garuḍa, son of Vinatā)
• Root: वैनतेय

• च: and
• Root: च

• पक्षिणाम्: of birds
• Root: पक्षिन्

Speakers

• Krishna
• Arjuna

Primary Concepts

• Vibhuti
• Time (kāla)
• Devotion (bhakti) as exemplar
• Natural sovereignty

Key Themes

• Divine excellence in contrasts
• Moral exemplarity
• Cosmic temporality

FAQs

Psychological significance?

Time (kāla) can be read as the mind’s organizing constraint—deadlines, aging, and change—prompting prioritization and humility; Prahlāda symbolizes steadfast values under pressure.

Metaphysical meaning?

By identifying with kāla, the text links divinity to the ordering principle of change and measurement, not merely to static being; the divine is both value and process.

Contextual relevance?

Prahlāda is a well-known figure of devotion within a lineage portrayed as adversarial to the gods; his inclusion underscores that spiritual excellence can appear in any group.

Modern Application?

The verse can be used to reflect on exemplary traits—integrity (Prahlāda), respect for time, and recognizing ‘best-in-class’ qualities as occasions for contemplation rather than comparison.