Kṛṣṇa is the mightiest
prahlādaścāsmi daityānāṁ kālaḥ kalayatāmaham mṛgāṇāṁ ca mṛgendro'haṁ vainateyaśca pakṣiṇām
Of the Daitya (demons), I am Prahlad and of the reckoners, I am time. Of the animals, I am the king of animals (lion) and of the birds, I am Garuda
Time is the ultimate reckoner.
Among the trees He is the banyan tree. The banyan tree develops its root- like structures from the branches. These grow into the earth as secondary roots. The metaphysical meaning of the banyan tree is that just as the banyan tree grows its roots upside down unlike other trees, the spiritual person shuns the illusory outer world. Instead, he goes inwards towards the Absolute.
Of all the spiritually enlightened Masters, the Ṛṣis, Kṛṣṇa is Nārada. Nārada is considered the greatest of all devotees. His mind is immersed in remembering Viṣṇu, forever chanting 'Nārāyaṇa, Nārāyaṇa'.
Of the Gandharvas, the celestial beings, He is Citraratha. Gandharvas are celestial beings skilled in music and they are guardians of the soma juice — the nectar of the divine beings. Citraratha is the king of the Gandharvas.
I Am the Complete Being Among the Siddhas, the complete beings, He is Kapila, the complete sage. Kapila is the author of the Sāṅkhya Yoga, the founding father of Mahānirvāṇi Pīṭha —Kapila Sarvajña Pīṭha, and is considered an incarnation of Viṣṇu and Mahādev. The first human being on planet Earth who started thinking and experienced completion was Kapila.
Ucchaiśravas is the legendary snow-white horse that emerged during the churning of the ocean of milk, the divine horse.
Airāvata, the four-tusked king of the elephants also emerged during the churning of the ocean of milk. Airāvata, whom Indra took as his mount
This is a metaphysical representation signifying how we are pushed and pulled by desires in our lives. From this churning in our life, various products emerge. As we go beyond the push and pull of desires, beyond life and death. Then we dwell in ultimate bliss.
Among the cows, He says He is the sacred cow, Kāmadhuk or Kāmadhenu, which also emerged during the churning of the ocean. In the Hindu way of life, the cow is worshipped for her essential utility. Kāmadhuka is considered to be the cow that grants all wishes and is the mother of all cows.
Kṛṣṇa is the Vāsuki of serpents. Vāsuki is the king of snakes. Vāsuki was used as the rope and he wound himself around Meru, the staff, for churning the ocean of milk.
Among the nāgas, non-poisonous snakes or creatures of the nether world, He is Ananta, the many-hooded serpent who forms the bed of Lord Viṣṇu. He is said to support all the planets on his various hoods, including the Earth.
Among the water beings, Kṛṣṇa says He is Varuṇa, the god of the mightiest water body, the ocean.
Among the ancestors, Kṛṣṇa says He is Aryamā, one of the Ādityas, who presides over a planet occupied by the energy bodies of our ancestors.
Of the ones who ensure discipline, Kṛṣṇa says He is Yama, the Lord of death. Death is the only certain thing in the life of all beings and it treats everyone exactly the same whether they are big or small, rich or poor. So the Lord of death, Yama, ensures perfect discipline. Of the Daityas, He is Prahlād
The Daityas are considered to be a race of beings that warred against the demigods. Prahlād was the son of a powerful Daitya King, Hiraṇyakaśipu. Prahlād was a pious child, an embodiment of integrity. The young Prahlād is a supreme example of devotion. His life is the example that total surrender to the Divine is possible and that such surrender leads the Divine to completely care for His devotees, in all situations and at all times.
Of the reckoners, Kṛṣṇa says He is Kāla, Time itself. Time is the ultimate reckoner. No being exists who can beat Time. Irrespective of who it is, Time always moves on. It cannot be stopped by anyone.
Of the animals, Kṛṣṇa is the Lion, king of the jungle.
Among birds, He is Garuḍa, king of birds, the eagle who is the mount of Lord Viṣṇu.