Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 21
Vibhūti-yoga in the Bhāgavata: The Lord’s Manifest Opulences and the Discipline of Control
धिष्ण्यानामस्म्यहं मेरुर्गहनानां हिमालय: । वनस्पतीनामश्वत्थ ओषधीनामहं यव: ॥ २१ ॥
dhiṣṇyānām asmy ahaṁ merur gahanānāṁ himālayaḥ vanaspatīnām aśvattha oṣadhīnām ahaṁ yavaḥ
Dalam kalangan tempat kediaman, Aku ialah Gunung Meru; dan dalam kalangan tempat yang sukar ditembusi, Aku ialah Himalaya. Dalam kalangan pokok, Aku ialah aśvattha yang suci; dan dalam kalangan tumbuhan herba, Aku ialah yava—tanaman bijirin.
Oṣadhīnām here indicates those plants that fructify once and then die. Among them, those that give grains, which sustain human life, represent Kṛṣṇa. Without grains it is not possible to produce milk products, nor can one properly perform Vedic fire sacrifices without offerings of grains.
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa teaches that His presence can be recognized through outstanding manifestations in creation—such as Meru, the Himalayas, the aśvattha tree, and barley—helping a devotee remember Him everywhere.
Kṛṣṇa is instructing Uddhava in His vibhūtis (divine opulences), so that Uddhava can deepen constant remembrance (smaraṇa) by perceiving the Lord’s greatness reflected in prominent features of the world.
Practice mindful remembrance: when you see extraordinary natural grandeur (mountains, ancient trees, nourishing grains), consciously connect it to Kṛṣṇa as the source—turning everyday observation into bhakti.