विवेचन सारांश

Essence of inexhaustible Vibhūti's of Bhagavān

Amongst all the trees HIS Vibhuti is the Peepal tree.

This tree is considered as a very sacred and divine tree. The Peepal tree is said to be a satvik tree. It is also said that Bhagavān Narayana HIMSELF resides there and grants all wishes when worshipped.

Illustration: Vishnupantji who was the father of Sant Jnaneswar Maharaj had taken the path of sainthood. His wife wanted him to come back and worshipped by circumbulating the Peepal tree thrice and wished for a son. A Maharshi from Kashi came and blessed her to beget a son. It so happened that Vishnupantji was actually the disciple of the Maharshi who blessed her. The Maharshi ordered that Vishnupantji should return to his wife from the ashrama.

The divinity of the Peepal tree is expressed in the15th chapter also ;

ऊर्ध्वमूलमध:शाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम् |

छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित् || 1||

The Supreme Divine Personality said: They speak of an eternal aśhvatth tree with its roots above and branches below. Its leaves are the Vedic hymns, and one who knows the secret of this tree is the knower of the Vedas.

- Amongst all the Rishis the one who is equivalent to Bhagavān is Naradamuni and is HIS Vibhuti.

We have a minimal understanding of the character of Naradamuni.

In an instance Dhṛtarāṣṭra asked Bhagavān who is the person who can be worshipped and is also loved? The answer was Naradamuni. He is a person who was loved by the Gods and the Demons and had the capacity to find a solution for every problem.

Illustration: In the incident of hiraṇyakaśipu, it was Naradamuni who suggested to do good sanskar or rituals to the baby in the womb ofhiraṇyakaśipu’s wife because of which Prahlada was born.

Naradamuni is considered as the best pracharak for all the three worlds. Generally when one is worshipped the person is respected but difficult to love them. But here was this Muni who was both respected and loved.

- Among the Gandharva who are in swarga loka the heavens, Demigod Citraratha, the king of the Gandharvas was HIS Vibhuti.

When Arjuna and Citraratha fought a war Arjuna won. However, Citraratha being a very humble and noble soul tells Arjuna that he could defeat him only because he was a brahmachari, an unmarried celibate person. He then goes on to nurture his friendship with Arjuna and helps him even during the Pāṇḍavas' stay in the ajñāta or living anonymously during the last year of their forest stay. During this time he helps Arjuna to learn music and dance. Despite the defeat he was noble enough to help the person who defeated him which shows the greatness of his character.

- Among the saints Kapila muni is HIS Vibhuti.

He was considered a great saint who gave us Sankhya yoga. He was the one responsible for bringing Ganga to the earth by his penance.

The incident of getting Ganga was actually initiated by the ancestors of Bhāgīratha, Raja Aṃśumān and then his son Dilipa. Bhāgīratha continued the penance started by Aṃśumān and Ganga came to earth.

This one incident was of a great help to the entire mankind as without this where would one go to immerse oneself and wash off the sins.

- Among the horses uccaiḥśrava was HIS Vibhuti

- Among the elephants airāvata was his Vibhuti.During the churning of ocean by the Devas and the Asuras the understanding was that whatever comes out of the ocean will be distributed among the two opposing groups alternately. The first to come out of the churning was Kāmadhenu. With the horse and the elephant came the nectar which is also Bhagavān's own self. 

- Among the human Kings HE said the Vibhuti is HIMSELF as HE is the king. The one who is crowned is called the King. Here Bhagavān is superior to all mortal Kings and hence HE is the vibhuti.

- Among all the weapons Vajra or Diamond indicative of the weapon vajrā ayudha as HIS Vibhuti.  

The vajrāyudha was created by the spine bones of dadhīci and is the strongest weapon. There are 2 types of weapons: astrā and śastra. Astrā is operated by hand physically whereas śastra by the power of mantras is operated in tandem with the power of mind. Both put together are termed as āyudha. The highest award of Paramvir chakra is adorned by replicas of King Indra’s vajrāyudha indicative of the strongest astra.

- Among all the cows, the kāmadhenu is HIS Vibhuti.

If one worships the kāmadhenu with clear intent such a person's wishes are granted, by kāmadhenu. The power of giving is with kāmadhenu.  

- Among all the means of procreation of the species in his creation is by HIM to continue the creations in the universe.

- Among all the serpents Vasuki is HIS vibhuti.

As compared to previous shloka where the serpent is referred, here the reference is to Naga. Serpent is the one which has long fangs and is non venomous whereas the other species is the one which is venomous and generally called as Naga.

- Among the Nagas HE says Ananta is HIS vibhuti.

Ananta is the sheshnag who is in the permanent place of Bhagavan Narayana’s abode. Whenever Bhagavan came to the earth in one of his forms, Sheshnag followed him. When Ramji came to earth, sheshnag came as Lakshman. When Sri Krishna came to earth, Balaram came with him as his brother.

- Among all the species which can live in water HIS vibhuti is varuṇa the one who nurtures and controls the creatures who live in the water.

- Among the forefathers or ancestors HE is the aryamā.

There are 7 principle categories of ancestors. They are kavyavāha, ānala, Soma, Yama, Aryama, agniṣvāttas and barhiṣads. Out of them the aryamās are considered as the head of pitṝs.

- Among that who control Yama is HIS Vibhuti.

There is no need to be scared of Yama also as it is Bhagavan himself. He is the one who keeps the administration and keeps account of all our karma. He is considered as equitable, righteous and enlightened devotee of Bhagavan.

Even among demons the Bhagavān has a vibhuti. Here we must understand the greatness of Bhagavān. Prahlad was born in a Demonic clan.

There are examples of similar instances. Like Maharshi Kashyap. He had 2 wives. Sons of Aditi were Gods with satvik character and Ditis sons were of demoniac character. There are some clans who enjoy materialistic world. There are other clans who enjoy materialism but also derive pleasure in destroying. Such clans exhibit excessive tamasik guna by troubling others. Hiranyakashyapu was one of them.

- Prahlada who was born to him was a vibhuti of Bhagavan.

With HIS grace, the demonic clan also could beget a flower like Prahlada who was known for his Bhakti.

- Among the ones that we can count time is HIS Vibhuti. Time is endless and limitless and countless and the basis of all astronomical calculations.

- Among the animals, the Lion which is the king of all animals is HIS Vibhuti.

No one has consecrated the Lion as King but referenced by its characteristic he is accepted as the king.

Subhashita;

नाभिषेको न संस्कार: सिंहस्य क्रियते मृगैः । विक्रमार्जितराज्यस्य स्वयमेव मृगेंद्रता ॥

No anointment nor investiture is done (conducted) for a lion in the forest. He obtains Kingship over the animals solely by right of conquest.

Here it is mentioned that there is no election or crowning ceremony to make Lion as the king. The Lion strongest, boldest and bravest and of dignified conduct is accepted as King. Earned because of his victories.

- Among the birds Garuda is HIS Vibhuti as it is regarded as the largest and most powerful bird.

- Amongst the ones which purifies HE says wind is the Vibhuti.

If one is in a depressed mood or feels disinterested just being in fresh air blowing on the face one feels very nice.

In yajna also as the breeze brings pure air it makes one feel very pious.

Swamiji says the importance of the wind and breeze is that it surrounds everywhere. One may perform religious functions at home and think that there is no need for temples. To the extent of how we perform at home the aura and the process of performing at a temple is very different. The positive vibes in such temples are very different and purify our mind. The feeling of freshness is only in such places of worship.

- Amongst all those who have weapons in their hand Bhagavān says HIS Vibhuti is Sri Ramji. The Bows are very symbolic of Sri Ramji and in every photo or the idols he is always seen holding the bow.

The connection between Sri Ramji and his bow was such that he was ready to forgo and leave anything. He left the palace and went to the forest in all smiles while leaving Ayodhya. Though he loved his parents he never showed any disdain to be separated when he had to go with Viswamitra to help the sadhus. He went without any doubt and attachment to his parents. He could part with sitaji when such a instance stood in front of him. He could part with Lakshmanji in his last days. But he never parted with his Bow any time.  

- Among all the creatures which live in water HIS Vibhuti is the Alligator,  a strong and mighty creature. All aquatic animals are afraid of him.

There is a saying that if one has to live in a pond one has to be friends with the Alligators. Shows the importance and might of the crocodile.

- Among all the rivers Ganga is HIS Vibhuti. She is the one who made the country pious and the land of our country is considered Punya Bhoomi because of Ganga.

sargā means the place where we are living, the entire creation. HE said the world begins from HIM and also merge into HIM in the end. In between the creations also it is - - HE who is in vigil and nurtures.

- Among all the different types of knowledge the Adhyātma vidya or the knowledge about self is HIS vibhuti. This is one type of knowledge which will stay with us even after the body is destroyed as the soul carries it.

We all sit in a vivechan session to get this knowledge which will show us the path to sail through life.  

- Among the dialects which are spoken vada is HIS vibhuti.  

In scripture there are 3 types:

DISCUSSION [vāda]- A dialogue in which one adopts one of two opposing positions.

REFUTATION ONLY [vitaṇḍa]- Bordering disputing which implies on attacking the views of the opposite side.

ERISTIC [jalpa]- A vigorous verbal dispute directed at gaining victory only.

Not just physical elements but Even subtle elements of life are addressed by Bhagavān.

- Among the letters HIS vibhuti is the letter 

‘अ’

No letter is completed without the letter 

‘अ’

. Even ‘omkara’ is not complete without this letter.

- Among the samas Dvandva is HIS Vibhuti.

There are different types or rules in sanskrit grammar in combining words:  

• Dvandva (combination, composition)
  
• Bahuvrihi (a type of compound word that denotes a referent by specifying a certain characteristic or quality the referent possesses)
  
• Tatpuruṣa (class of compounds in which the last member is qualified by the first without losing its grammatical independence)
  
• Avyayi bhava (emphasize the first member of the compound more than the second)
  
• Karmadharay (A form of tatpuruṣa in which the relation of the first member to the last is appositional, attributive, or adverbial)
  

Bhagavān chose Dvandva samas as his Vibhuti as it is a resultant of 2 phrases where both the words have equal importance which HE considered as significant.  

ahamevākṣayaḥ- inexhaustible.

- Among the inexhaustible HE considered Time as HIS Vibhuti.

The reference to Time here is its count which supports holding every event by the measure of time.

We measure time from the moment the Sun rises into the days, the hours, minutes and seconds and so on. This gives the reference to ‘kala’ and among the matters that the Time holds HE is the everlasting and endless time holding the universe together.

Sarvaharaścāham- Something that snatches everything.

- Among all the instances which are all devouring from us and snatching everything from us HE is the death. Death is HIS Vibhuti.

- Among all those who will be prosperous HE is the prosperity.

- kīrtiḥ śrīrvākca nārīṇāṃ, smṛtir medhā dhṛtiḥ kṣamā.- Prosperity, Beauty, Speech, Memory, Control, Forgiveness.

This appears as indicative of female gender when using 'nārīṇāṃ'. However one should understand that it is not a reference only to women but the qualities referred here are for anyone who exhibits them.

Forgiveness is a great strength. Swami Govindji Giri Maharaj says that the moment we increase our capacity to forgive, we will be loved by Bhagavān. This is also explained in 12th chapter.

- Among the Vedas, Samaveda is HIS vibhuti.

In Samaveda there are a set of mantras known as ‘Brihathsama’ which are said to be very powerful and with very deep impact.

- Among the different compilations of slokas ‘Gayathri’ is HIS Vibhuti.

The Gayathri mantra is considered as the most powerful mantra.  

When we worship with the chant of any other, we ask for prosperity but the Gayathri mantra is the one where we only ask to be blessed with intellect and to make us strong.

The one who undergoes thread ceremony chants this everyday because even if they do not have time to study the Veda this one shloka covers the most requirement to have a healthy and strong intellect.  

In vedas it is said ‘adi śaktimupasanthe gāyatrī veda māṭharam’.

- Among all the months of the year, mārgaśira month (caitramasa-the first month of the Hindu calendar) is considered very pious and is HIS Vibhuti. 

Gita jayanthi is also celebrated on ‘ekadashi’ in ‘shukla paksha’, of mārgaśira month.

- Among all seasons HE is the spring season when we witness the divine glory of Bhagavan when the flowers blooming all over.

- Among the gambling and fraud actions Bhagavān said HE is the vibhuti.

The game between Duryodhana and Yudhistira happened but the controller was Bhagavan. It is not that gambling can be practised just because HE is the vibhuti. One must understand that here Bhagavān will be the god of deceit and hence HE warns that HE will defeat and destroy the one who gambles.

Like Fire is vibhuti of Bhagavān but one cannot touch fire. Likewise while gambling Bhagavān is ensures defeat and hardship.

- Tejo - one’s own Aura. The Aura is Bhagavan’s Vibhuti.

Some with goodness and divinity have this aura around them. When one looks at Swami Govindji Giri Maharaj has this Aura pervading his self and exudes divine feeling to the one who is present and listens to him.

For an actor it will be in his performance for an artist in his piece of art, for an orator in speech, for a sportsman in game, for a donor in charity.

- Success is a result of Bhagavan’s Vibhuti. Any success in business or any work out of determination is by the form of Bhagavan and not by oneself.

- Sattva or the virtue and the glory of it is Vibhuti. The subtle part of this the glories and victories is HIM.

- In the clan of vṛṣṇī HE is the Vasudeva.

Bhagavan is referring to himself as a human incarnation and is referring to himself as a third person.

- In the clan of pāṇḍavas HE is Dhananjaya.

Arjuna had the greatness of a saint and was a pious person fully under control of his senses who never lost his balance any time. Krishna loved Arjuna immensely. In an incident at the khandava forest when after the task of annihilating the forest Arjuna and Sri Krishna were asked by Indra and Agni to express what they desired for,Arjuna asked for weapons of warfare. However it is said that Sri Krishna asked for the eternal friendship and affection between himself and Arjuna and nothing else. That was the grace of Arjuna and reason for Bhagavān to name Dhanajaya as his Vibhuti. 

- Among the rishis HE is vyasa. Maharshi Vyasa was the one who has given us the Gita and Vedas compilations and has given a lot of knowledge works for us.

- Among the Kavi which should be read not as a poet but as a person of high intelligence, the Vibhuti of Bhagavān is uṣaṇā who is also known as śukrācārya. He was extremely intelligent and knowledgeable and had acquired a lot of information and knowledge.

- Danda or punishment is HIS Vibhuti. Some people can be disciplined only by force. The miscreants need deterrents as punishment is necessary to discipline them. Bhagwan has declared this as his Vibhuti.

- The planning and strategy is HIS Vibhuti among the ones who are desirous of winning. If one has to have a strategy to conduct anything, any event.

- Among the most secretive matters, silence is HIS Vibhuti to control speech. Silence is considered as the best form of Vibhuti. The more a person talks the more they exaggerate which leads to the extent of lying.

- Historically we have been worshipping knowledge and this is the Vibhuti of Bhagavan. There is nothing more pious than knowledge.The entire legacy of saints in this country always pursued and worshipped knowledge.

The process of acquiring knowledge should be taught to children from the younger age itself and this should be embedded in their upbringing. When people start undervaluing knowledge the downfall will start. One should accept the might of learning and worship knowledge.

- Here Bhagavān declares that HE is the seed of everything. HE is the cause of everything material created. He is not just a creator but HE is the creation itself. 

Bhagwan identifies himself with every possible creation, notwithstanding HIS reference to the river as Ganga as also any other source of water, or the creatures as Lion including other creatures.

All Vibhutis referred to are AMONG all others and hence here HE said that everything is HIMSELF.

Whatever is glorious and powerful or prosperous and anything around is a part of HIS splendour and part of HIS manifestation.

Wherever one experiences HIS divine presence, that will be HIS manifestations and everything originating from HIM.  

tejoṃśasaṃbhavam- All originating from HIM.

Having learnt about so many Vibhutis, one must understand that whatever we learnt are only a miniscule fraction of HIM. HE supports the entire creation where HE is part of it. The learning from this part is that HE is everywhere.