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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 11: Chapter 16: Verses 17-35
Of the lords of elephants know Me to be Airavata (the carrier of Indra); of aquatic creatures know Me to be their lord, Varuna (the god presiding over the .waters). Of those emitting heat and light know Me to be the sun; and know Me to be the king among men. I am Uccaihsrava among horses; of metals I am gold. Of those that punish, I am Yama (the god of retribution); and of serpents I am Vasuki (the chief of serpents). Of the rulers of snakes I am Lord Ananta (the serpent-god); of all animals having horns or large teeth I am the lion (the king of beasts). Of the (four) stages of life I am Samnyasa (the fourth and the last); of the (four) grades of society I am the (very) first (viz., the Brahmana class), 0 sinless Uddhava ! Of (all) holy steams I am the (holy) Ganga; (while) of (all) stationary waters I am the ocean. Of weapons I am the bow; of the wielders of bow I am Lord Siva (the Destroyer of the three cities). I am Mount Meru (the abode of Brahma) among (all) abodes; of (all) spots difficult of access I am the Himalaya. Of trees I am the Aswattha (the holy fig-tree); of annual plants I am barley. Of family priests I am the sage Vasistha (the priest of the ancient solar dynasty of kings); of those devoted to the spirit of the Vedas I am the sage Brhaspati (the preceptor of the gods). Of (all) leaders of armies I am Skanda (the generalissimo of the gods); of those that lead men on the right path I am the glorious Brahma (the birthless one). Of (all) sacrificial performances I am Brahmayajna (the daily recitation of the Vedas); of (all) sacred vows I am (the vow of) harmlessness. Of purifying agencies, again, I am the purifying agency (par excellence) in the shape of the air, fire, the sun, water and the word (of a Brahmana who is the only man qualified to judge and pronounce the purity or otherwise of a substance or living being). Of all the limbs of Yoga (self-discipline) I am Samadhi (total absorption of the mind into the Spirit); I am political wisdom in those that seek victory. Of (all) scientific courses of correct understanding I am the science by which the distinction between Matter and Spirit is known; I am the (unending) doubt of those debating on the theory of Perception. Of the fair sex I am Satarupa (the wife of Swayambhuva Manu and the first female offspring of Brahma); of men I am Swayambhuva Manu (the first human male creation of Brahma). Of ascetics I am the sage Narayana; and of celibates, Sanatkumara. Of (all) virtues I am the vow of causing no fear to anyone; of all factors conducive to fearlessness I am thought withdrawn from without (and directed towards one's own self). Of (all) means of maintaining secrecy I am kind speech and silence (both of which help a man to conceal what exists in his mind); of pairs, again, I am Brahma (the birthless one, who assumed two forms, the first part becoming a man and the other a woman).* Of those that (ever) keep awake (without even winking) I am the (ever-revolving wheel of) time (represented by a twelvemonth); of the (six) seasons (constituting a year) I am (the two months of) Caitra and Vaisakha (constituting the vernal season). Of the (twelve) months (of a year) I am (the month of) Margasirsa; and of the (twenty-seven) lunar mansions I am Abhijit. Of the (four) Yugas or aeons) I am the Krta (Satyayuga) and of the self-controlled I am the sages Asita and Devala. Of the compillers and arrangers of the Vedas I am the sage (Krsna) Dwaipayana; of more of wisdom I am the self-possessed Sukracarya (the preceptor of the demon kings). Of divine personages*l am Lord Vasudeva (the first and foremost of the four Vyuhas or manifestations of the Godhead, the Deity presiding over the intellect or Citta); and of the votaries of the Lord I am you (Uddhava). Of Kimpurusas (a species of semi-divine oeings resembling a monkey in shape) I am Hanuman (the monkey-god); of Vidyadharas (heavenly artistes) I am Sudarsana Of precious stones 1 am the ruby; of lovely objects I am a lotus bud. Of the (many) varieties of Darbha grass (such as Kula and Durva) I am (the variety known by the name of) Kusa; of offerings thrown into the sacred fire I am cow's ghee. Of those engaged in any business (and seeking to amass wealth) I am the wealth; in those engaged in practising trickery I am gambling. I am the endurance in those practising endurance; I am the courage of the courageous. I am the organic strength as well as the strength of mind of the strong; (and) know that I am the action (done by way of an offering to Me) of the devotees of the Lord. Of the nine forms (viz., Vasudeva, Sal karsna, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Narayana, Hayagriva, Varaha, Nrsirhha, and Vamana) worshipped by the Satvatas (followers of the Paticaratra Agama) I am the first and the highest (of them, viz., Vasudeva). I am Viswavasu of the Gandharvas (celestial songsters) and Purvacitti"
[1] of the Apsaras (celestial nymphs). I am the firmness of mountains (and) the (pure) odour (characteristic) of the earth. I am the sweet taste (characteristic) of water; of the most glorious I am (the god of) fire. I am the brilliant light in the sun, the moon and the stars; I am sound, the distinguishing property of ether. I am Bali among those devoted to the Brahmanas; of the valiant, I am Arjuna. I am the genesis, existence and final dissolution of created beings.
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