Verse 28
आयुधानामहं वज्रं धेनूनामस्मि कामधुक् | प्रजनश्चास्मि कन्दर्पः सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकिः || २८ ||
Transliteration
āyudhānām ahaṁ vajraṁ dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk prajanaś cāsmi kandarpaḥ sarpāṇām asmi vāsukiḥ
Synonyms
āyudhānām—of weapons; aham—I am; vajram—the thunderbolt; dhenūnām—of cows; asmi—I am; kāmadhuk—the wish-fulfilling cow; projanaḥ—the cause of generation; ca—and; asmi—I am; kandarpaḥ—Kandarpa (Cupid); sarpāṇām—of serpents; asmi—I am; vāsukiḥ—Vasuki.
Translation
“Of weapons I am the thunderbolt; of cows I am the wish-fulfilling Kamadhenu; of causes for procreation I am Kandarpa (the god of love); of serpents I am Vasuki.”
Multi-Tradition Commentary
Even the creative impulse of desire — when it is in accordance with dharma and oriented toward life's continuation — is declared to be a manifestation of the Divine. The Lord does not disown any dimension of creation; He claims all of it, including the power of attraction between beings. This sanctifies life at every level.
Practical Application (Modern Life)
The creative and procreative urges are not inherently opposed to the spiritual life. When properly directed and understood, even desire can serve as a vehicle for the divine. The key is whether desire is in the service of dharma and genuine love, or whether it is merely compulsive and self-serving. Discernment, not suppression, is the teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 10.28 mean?
Of weapons I am the thunderbolt; of cows I am the wish-fulfilling Kamadhenu; of causes for procreation I am Kandarpa (the god of love); of serpents I am Vasuki.
What is the word-by-word meaning of Bhagavad Gita 10.28?
āyudhānām—of weapons; aham—I am; vajram—the thunderbolt; dhenūnām—of cows; asmi—I am; kāmadhuk—the wish-fulfilling cow; projanaḥ—the cause of generation; ca—and; asmi—I am; kandarpaḥ—Kandarpa (Cupid); sarpāṇām—of serpents; asmi—I am; vāsukiḥ—Vasuki.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 10.28 in daily life?
The creative and procreative urges are not inherently opposed to the spiritual life. When properly directed and understood, even desire can serve as a vehicle for the divine. The key is whether desire is in the service of dharma and genuine love, or whether it is merely compulsive and self-serving. Discernment, not suppression, is the teaching.