OF ADITYAS I AM VISHNU — In the Vedic tradition, Adityas, described in some places as five, and in other places as six, are the children born of Aditi. Later on, the traditional belief considered twelve Adityas, each representing one of the twelve months of the year. In the Vishnu-Purana, however, we read that “Vishnu” is one of these twelve Adityas, and He is described therein as the most important amongst the whole lot.

OF THE LUMINARIES I AM THE RADIANT SUN — Modern physics admits that the Sun is the source of all energy. Naturally, the phrase stands amply self-explained. The Self is the source of all energy wherever it is seen manifested.

OF THE WINDS I AM MARICHI — In Vedic verses, Maruts are the sons of Rudra and the Rig Veda mentions Marichi as the chief among them. In Vedic lore, the Maruts represent the presiding deity of the storms, wind and breeze — in short, air-in-motion.

OF THE ASTERISMS I AM THE MOON — The Sanskrit term ‘Nakshatras’, as used in Indian astronomy, indicates the asterisms strewn on the Moon’s path. Conceiving exclusively thus the route of the Moon in the Universe, the line may be interpreted as expressing the Lord’s glory, inasmuch as, among the asterisms the Moon is the controller, the regulator; and in splendour, the most wondrous of all of them.

But we could as well accept the world ‘Nakshatras,’ in its common understanding, as the endless twinkling little stars that we see studded in the night-sky. There are commentators, who go a step further, and consider the world as representing all ‘lights of the night.’ This also is an acceptable interpretation, which can convey to us a wealth of suggestions to ponder over and meditate upon. The Self is as incomparably glorious, soothing and pleasant as the moon is in the entire ‘world-of-lights’ that illumines the night, from the modest hut to the Parliament House.

It is to be remembered that in this series of TWENTY-TWO STANZAS, Lord Krishna is trying to supply the seekers with SEVENTY-FIVE ITEMS of thought for helping those who are on the Path-of-Knowledge, to meditate upon and intensify their integration and sharpen their single-pointedness. These are 75 independent exercises in meditation.

Adityanam, among the twelve Adityas; aham, I; am the Aditya called Visnu. Jyotisam, among the luminaries; amsuman, the radiant; ravih, sun. Marutam, among the different gods called Maruts; asmi, I am; the one called Marici. Naksatranam, among the stars; I am sasi, the moon.