CH 7, Verse 8

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Chapter 7

Verse 8

 

Raso'ham apsu Kaunteya prabhaa'smi shashi-suuryayoh /

pranavah sarva-vedeshhu shabdah khe paurushham nrishhu

//

 

The Lord says, "I am the sapidity in water, O Son of

Kunti, I am the radiance in the moon and the sun; I am

Om in all the Vedas; the sound in space and manhood in

men.

 

LESSONS FROM BHAGAVAD GITA – 70

As taught by Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji

Compiled by: Swami Dattananda

Bhaktimala, August 1999

 

The whole Universe is the manifestation of the Lord.

However, ordinary people, bound to the sense world,

cannot realize this. Therefore, in the following

verses, the Lord gives a clue to understand as to how

this entire world is woven on Him or rather, how he

remains immanent in the different objects of the

world.

 

The Lord says, "I am the sapidity in water, O Son of

Kunti, I am the radiance in the moon and the sun; I am

Om in all the Vedas; the sound in space and manhood in

men" (Chapter 7, Verse 8).

 

In the previous verse, the Lord says that He is

present in everything in the world like the thread in

a garland of beads. But in what way or form does He

remain in the world? He says that He remains in water

in the form of taste (sapidity,) in the sun and the

moon in the form of effulgence, in the Vedas as the

Pranava (Om,) in space as sound and in men in the form

of manhood.

 

Although water has no taste, it has the power to

reveal the taste of things because of its sapidity and

this power belongs to the Lord. Between water and

taste, there is an indissoluble connection. Water is

visible to the eyes as it is in gross form. But its

power to reveal the taste is subtle and so it cannot

be seen. But it can be experienced with the help of

the sense organ, tongue.

 

Similarly, the sun and the moon represent the element

called fire, the light of which gives us the knowledge

of color and form. The effulgence, which is there in

the fire, is the Lord.

 

Ether (space) is the vehicle of sound and the various

languages that we find in the world are its

modifications. Sound is produced as a vibration in the

air, which is the cause of subtle variations of ether.

This vibration is the manifestation of divine power.

 

Pranava is the sound ‘Om.’ This is the eternal sound

and it is the name of the Supreme Divinity. The Vedas

contain various expressions and explanations of the

sound Om. As such, Om is said to be the essence of the

Vedas.

 

The Lord is also manhood in men. What are the

qualities that make a man a real human being? They are

selflessness, kindness, courage, intelligence,

determination in doing good things etc. These

qualities are all expressions of God. The possessor of

these qualities attains fulfillment of life by adoring

God, the Almighty.

 

 

 

 

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