Krishna is the source, shelter and summit of everything

When people hear the word God, they often conceive of him in terms of a Supreme Controller. Krishna is indeed the controller of all worlds, as the Bhagavad-gita (05.29) states. But the Gita reveals an understanding of Krishna wherein he is much more than just the topmost controller – he is the source, shelter and summit of everything.

Source: The world has seen many great emperors who controlled vast tracts of land, maybe even the whole world. But no matter how extensive their kingdom, none of them created everything in it, nor sired all of its population. Krishna, however, is the source of everything – whatever exists emanates from him, as the Gita (10.08) declares. Further, the Gita (14.04) elucidates that he is the seed-giving parent of all living beings.

Shelter: Krishna doesn’t just control everything from above or pervades everything horizontally through his energies – he also enters everything, thus becoming its underlying shelter, as the Gita (15.17) indicates. Indeed, the Gita (10.39) proclaims that nothing can exist without him.

Summit: Among the innumerable things in existence, those that are outstanding in beauty, power and such attractive features are considered the best among those things. All such superlative things get their attractiveness from Krishna – the Gita (10.41) announces that he manifests a spark of his splendor through them.

Thus, Krishna is far greater and grander than any stereotyped notion of God as a controller. And even this expansive understanding of Krishna doesn’t include his topmost transcendental manifestation as the supremely loving and supremely lovable person. As the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is the embodiment and fulfillment of our heart’s most cherished desires – the eternal ecstatic Lord of our heart.

No wonder the Gita (10.07) declares that those who comprehend Krishna’s glories devote themselves to him undeviatingly, indubitably and wholeheartedly.