Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10, Verse 22 (BG 10.22) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

10.22 वेदानाम् among the Vedas? सामवेदः the Sama Veda? अस्मि (I) am? देवानाम् among the gods? अस्मि (I) am? वासवः Indra? इन्द्रियाणाम् among the senses? मनः mind? च and? अस्मि (I) am? भूतानाम् among living beings? अस्मि (I) am? चेतना intelligence.Commentary Vasava is Indra.Gods Such as Rudras? Adityas.Indriyas The five JnanaIndriyas or organs of knowledge? viz.? ear? skin? eye? tongue and nose and the five KarmaIndriyas or organs of action? viz.? speech? hands? feet? genitals and anus. The mind is regarded as the eleventh sense. As the senses cannot function without the help of the mind? the mind is regarded as the chief among the senses.Chetana Intelligence is that state of intellect which is manifest in the aggregate of the body and the senses.That which illumines all? from the intellect down to the grossest object? is called Chetana.

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

# BG 10.22 Among the Vedas, I am the Sama Veda. The Sama Veda is the essence of the Rig Veda, which holds the most prominent place among all four Vedas. The Sama Veda is beautifully glorified in the Chandogya Upanishad. The Sama Veda carries within it a special joy of music, for the sacred mantras are sung in beautiful melodies, harmonious notes, and rhythmic patterns. This testifies to how magnificently our ancestors developed this beautiful and powerful art of music. Through the beauty of this analogy, we may understand that I am the very soul of music, just as the Sama Veda is the essence of the Rig Veda. Among the celestial beings, I am Indra. Indra, known as Vasava, is the king of the devas who dwell in the heavenly realms. It is noteworthy that according to Vedic principles, although the highest standard of living exists in heaven, even there a hierarchy of excellence and inferiority exists among the celestial beings. The attainment of heaven is the fruit of virtuous deeds performed in this earthly life, and therefore, one who has accumulated greater merit here shall enjoy superior pleasures there. According to this law, it is natural that Indra's life surpasses that of all other devas in splendor, luxury, power, and capability. Among the celestial beings, I am Indra, the ruler and governor of the other devas, through whom their lives become joyful and prosperous. Among the senses, I am the mind. From the perspective of cosmic manifestation, what is called Indra is called the mind from the perspective of individual consciousness, for the word deva means sense. Just as Indra is the king of the celestial beings, so too is the mind the king of the senses. Without the mind, the senses cannot function independently. Therefore, it is said here that I am the mind among the senses. Among all created things in the universe, the most supreme and wondrous is intelligence. It is a mysterious power about which modern science has been unable to gain any clear understanding beyond forming vague and speculative notions.