Shloka 31
Kṣetra–Kṣetrajña-Jñāna–Jñeya-Viveka
Field, Knower, Knowledge, and the Knowable
पवन: पवतामस्मि राम: शस्त्रभृतामहम् । झषाणां मकरक्चास्मि स्रोतसामस्मि जाह्नवी,मैं पवित्र करनेवालोंमें वायु और शस्त्रधारियोंमें श्रीरामः हूँ तथा मछलियोंमें मगरः हूँ और नदियोंमें श्रीभागीरथी गंगाजी हूँ:
pavanaḥ pavatām asmi rāmaḥ śastrabhṛtām aham | jhaṣāṇāṁ makaraś cāsmi srotasām asmi jāhnavī ||
Among purifiers I am the wind; among those who bear weapons I am Rāma. Among fishes I am the makara, and among flowing rivers I am the Jāhnavī (the Gaṅgā).
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The Divine is understood through the highest, most characteristic excellence in each category: wind as the supreme purifier, Rāma as the ideal among armed protectors, makara as the foremost among aquatic beings, and Gaṅgā as the preeminent river. This frames devotion and ethical reflection by directing attention to what most benefits and uplifts the world.
In the Bhīṣma Parva’s teaching context, Arjuna voices a series of identifications that present the Lord’s manifestations (vibhūtis). The verse lists exemplary forms in nature and culture to help the listener recognize divine presence amid the realities of duty and conflict.