Bhagavad-Gita: Chapter 10, Verse 21

Rudra Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Visnuswami

Sridhara Swami's Commentary

Commencing with this verse until the conclusion of this chapter Lord Krishna reveals His prominent vibhuti or divine, transcendental opulence beginning with of the 12 Adityas He manifests Himself as Visnu incarnation manifesting in the form of the brahmin dwarf Vamana. Of luminaries He is the solar orbs, the radiant suns whose shining rays illuminate the darkness of unlimited, innumerable universes. Of the Maruts the seven groups of winds which flow throughout all space atmosphere, Lord Krishna is the wind known as Parivaha which precedes all the others and bears the name Marici. It should not be misconstrued that Lord Krishna is talking about one of the six great sages who were mind born by Brahma also with the same name as that is not correct. The words naksatranam aham sasi means that as the moon He is Lord over the 27 constellations beginning with Ashvini and ending with Revati due to the moon having a stronger influence. In this verse the word Vishnur is in the partitive case whereas in others the case ending is possessive. Although form this verse onwards the meanings are quite clear we shall show at selective verses throughout this chapter that even with regard to incarnations of the Supreme Lord Krishna such as Vishnu, the intention of describing them shows that their superlative power is exemplified as also a part of His vibuti.

Brahma Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Madhvacarya

Madhvacarya's Commentary

The Supreme Lord Krishna is called Vishnu who is one of His primary incarnations because He pervades all spaces. Vishva means all pervading and vish means entering into. The Moksa Dharma states: That the Supreme Lord is the goal for all creatures and conscious beings. By Him is the world and the sky enveloped and His glory is unlimited and immeasurable. Abiding within all living entities He desires their preservation and best welfare. Because of His strident all encompassing steps He is known as Trivikram another name for Vamanadeva an incarnation of Vishnu. It should be noted that His vibhuti or divine, transcendental opulence of Marici is not referring to one of the ancient sages of antiquity. His vibhuti of Marici is the primal breath that sweeps across all space preceding the Maruts which are the different types of powerful winds throughout the unlimited trillions of universes. The Rig Veda I.XXII.XVIII beginning trini pada vi chakrame vishnur gopa adabhyah ato dharmani dharayan states: In three great strides Vishnu the protecter, who is undefeatable upholds the perennial principles of sanatan dharma or eternal righteousness.

Sri Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Ramanuja

Ramanuja's Commentary

The 12 Adityas are revealed in the Vishnu Purana being Dhatri, Aryama, Mitra, Varuna, Indra, Vivasvan, Pushan, Parjanya, Amsu, Bhaga, Tvastri and Vishnu. The Supreme Lord Krishna's vibhuti or divine transcendental opulence is the one bearing the name Vishnu who is chief of them all. Of the lights that shine in the countless universes Lord Krishna's vibhuti is the solar group consisting of all suns. Of the 7 Maruts being Avaha, Prahava, Nivaha, Purvaha, Udvaha, Samvaha and Parivaha who are different varieties of winds blowing throughout space, Lord Krishna's vibhuti is the chief wind known as Parivaha who bears the name Marici the primal wind which precedes all the others. Of all constellations Lord Krishna's vibhuti is the moon. The genitive case of the word sasi meaning moon is not referring to one out of many but is specifying one over all. Thus naksatranam aham sasi refers to the moon as being the Lord over all the constellations. This will also be exemplified similarly in the next verse where He states His vibhuti is the consciousness in all beings which means that what exists as consciousness apart from intelligence is His vibhuti also.

Kumara Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Nimbaditya

Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary

From now until the end of the chapter the Supreme Lord Krishna enumerates His vibhuti or divine, transcendental opulence. He reveals He is Vishnu of the 12 Adityas, All solar orbs whose rays illuminates unlimited galaxies and universes. He is the Parivaha wind which precedes all the others throughout space bearing the name Marici and among naksatranams or different constellations exercising their sphere of influence Lord Krishna is the moon which is superior to all of them in influence.