Excellence should carry responsibility.
Krishna speaks to Arjuna
उच्चैःश्रवसमश्वानां विद्धि माममृतोद्भवम् |ऐरावतं गजेन्द्राणां नराणां च नराधिपम् ||१०-२७||
uccaiḥśravasamaśvānāṃ viddhi māmamṛtodbhavam . airāvataṃ gajendrāṇāṃ narāṇāṃ ca narādhipam ||10-27||
Use this verse for leadership humility.
Meaning
Among horses I am Ucchaihshravas, born of nectar; among elephants Airavata; among humans the king.
Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).
In plain words
Krishna’s glory appears in nobility, strength, and responsible leadership.
Word-by-word meaning
Tap a word to see its meaning.
Explanation
The finest horse, elephant, and king symbolize excellence, dignity, power, and responsibility. The verse can guide leadership content around noble use of authority.
Read the traditional commentary
Krishna continues among the noblest of creatures and of human society. Among horses He is Ucchaihshravas, the celestial steed amṛta-udbhavam, 'born of nectar,' which arose when the gods churned the cosmic ocean. Among elephants, Airavata, the majestic mount of Indra. Among men, He is the rightful king (narādhipa).
Each is the supreme, the most splendid of its kind, fitting for contemplation. The mention of the nectar-born horse subtly recalls the great churning of the ocean — the cosmic effort through which the immortal treasure was won. The teaching woven through all these examples remains: greatness, sovereignty, and splendour, wherever they appear, are not self-made.
They are borrowed radiance, sparks of the one infinite Source which Krishna here names as His own.
In daily life
Use status and strength for protection, not ego.
A leader should use authority to create fairness and safety.
Try this today
Use one influence point today to help someone.
My strength serves noble responsibility.Reflect
How am I using my position or influence?
Private — only you can see this
Quick check
What does ‘उच्चैःश्रवसम्’ mean in this verse?
The Gita on splendour, in other chapters
- Verse 11.12 · SanjayaThe radiance of the Divine surpasses everything we can imagine, dwarfing even a thousand blazing suns.
- Verse 3.7The highest path is to master your mind first, then act wholeheartedly in the world without clinging to the outcome.
- Verse 2.28Expand your vision to include the unmanifest dimension of existence, and attachment to temporary forms will naturally loosen.
Swipe left for 10.28 · Power and desire need dharmic alignment.
Questions about Bhagavad Gita 10.27
Who says Bhagavad Gita 10.27, and to whom?
Krishna speaks to Arjuna in verse 10.27, in Chapter 10, Vibhuti Yoga (Vibhuti Yoga).
What does Bhagavad Gita 10.27 mean?
Among horses I am Ucchaihshravas, born of nectar; among elephants Airavata; among humans the king. (Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).)
What is the lesson of Bhagavad Gita 10.27 for daily life?
Use status and strength for protection, not ego. A leader should use authority to create fairness and safety.
What do the Sanskrit words in Bhagavad Gita 10.27 mean?
उच्चैःश्रवसम् — Ucchaihshravas (the celestial horse); अश्वानाम् — among horses; विद्धि माम् — know Me to be; अमृतोद्भवम् — born of nectar (the churning of the ocean); ऐरावतम् — Airavata.
Where does verse 10.27 come in the Bhagavad Gita?
It is verse 27 of 42 in Chapter 10, Vibhuti Yoga. The next verse is 10.28.