Every role can express divine excellence.
Krishna speaks to Arjuna
वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनञ्जयः |मुनीनामप्यहं व्यासः कवीनामुशना कविः ||१०-३७||
vṛṣṇīnāṃ vāsudevo.asmi pāṇḍavānāṃ dhanañjayaḥ . munīnāmapyahaṃ vyāsaḥ kavīnāmuśanā kaviḥ ||10-37||
Use this verse for role-excellence reflection.
Meaning
Among Vrishnis I am Vasudeva; among Pandavas Dhananjaya; among sages Vyasa; among poets Ushana.
Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).
In plain words
Krishna’s glory appears in divine identity, heroic action, wisdom, and poetic insight.
Word-by-word meaning
Tap a word to see its meaning.
Explanation
This verse honors excellence across roles: warrior, sage, poet, and divine lineage. People can reflect on their own dharmic role and highest expression.
Read the traditional commentary
This verse carries a touch of intimate wonder. Among the Vrishni clan Krishna names Himself Vasudeva — that is, His own present form. And among the Pandavas, He says, 'I am Arjuna (Dhananjaya)' — pointing to the very friend who sits before Him asking the question.
There is profound teaching hidden in this tenderness. By naming Arjuna as His own glory, Krishna reveals the deep unity between the Divine and the sincere devotee. The seeker who turns wholly toward God is not separate from Him; the devotee becomes a vessel through which the Divine itself shines.
Among the sages He is Vyasa, compiler of the eternal wisdom, and among the poet-seers, Ushana. The dear friend, the great sage, the inspired poet — all are faces of the one Lord who is, astonishingly, also seated as the Self within each of us.
In daily life
Find your role and perform it with devotion.
A creator, leader, teacher, or analyst can each serve Krishna through excellence.
Try this today
Name one role and one excellence standard for it.
I offer my role to Krishna with excellence.Reflect
What is my dharmic role right now?
Private — only you can see this
Quick check
What does ‘वासुदेवः अस्मि’ mean in this verse?
The Gita on friendship, in other chapters
- Verse 4.3The deepest wisdom opens itself to those who combine devotion with sincere, trusting closeness — not to the merely curious.
- Verse 11.41 · ArjunaLoving intimacy with the Divine is precious, yet it deepens when joined with reverence for its true greatness.
- Verse 9.18The infinite ground of existence is also your nearest friend and surest refuge — you are never truly alone.
- Verse 2.28Expand your vision to include the unmanifest dimension of existence, and attachment to temporary forms will naturally loosen.
Swipe left for 10.38 · Silence can protect wisdom.
Questions about Bhagavad Gita 10.37
Who says Bhagavad Gita 10.37, and to whom?
Krishna speaks to Arjuna in verse 10.37, in Chapter 10, Vibhuti Yoga (Vibhuti Yoga).
What does Bhagavad Gita 10.37 mean?
Among Vrishnis I am Vasudeva; among Pandavas Dhananjaya; among sages Vyasa; among poets Ushana. (Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).)
What is the lesson of Bhagavad Gita 10.37 for daily life?
Find your role and perform it with devotion. A creator, leader, teacher, or analyst can each serve Krishna through excellence.
What do the Sanskrit words in Bhagavad Gita 10.37 mean?
वृष्णीनाम् — among the Vrishnis; वासुदेवः अस्मि — I am Vasudeva (Krishna); पाण्डवानाम् — among the Pandavas; धनञ्जयः — Arjuna (Dhananjaya); मुनीनाम् अपि अहम् — among the sages also I am.
Where does verse 10.37 come in the Bhagavad Gita?
It is verse 37 of 42 in Chapter 10, Vibhuti Yoga. The next verse is 10.38.