The Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran

╭ chapter ten
of the many unfamiliar names that are mentioned. In whatever
category, Krishna is the chief, the best, the most intense,
the most beautiful, the most awesome, the essence. Many
of the allusions will be familiar – for example, among rivers
Krishna is the Ganges. But many of the names come from
Hindu mythology and are not well known. There is no room
here to explain every name, but the following paragraphs will
highlight a few of importance.
First, Krishna is the Atman, the inner Self in all beings. It is
fitting that this be mentioned first, for of all his myriad manifestations
this is the most important, at least to the struggling
spiritual aspirant that is Arjuna. Krishna is Arjuna’s innermost
Self, and that is how he is to be known in contemplation.
Of all the forms in which to meditate upon Krishna, the
Atman is mentioned first.
Krishna is Vishnu, the great compassionate, sustaining
God of the Hindu faith. It is Vishnu who cares so much about
the sufferings of Mother Earth and her children that he comes
to earth again and again, in age after age, to relieve oppression
and renew righteousness.
Krishna is the sun, worshipped in India since ancient
times. He is Indra, the chief of the Vedic gods, the lord of
storm and battle, who hurls the thunderbolt against the enemies
of the gods. In Vedic religion he is a mighty lord, not to
be trifled with, but later on he must admit defeat at the hands
╭ 180