Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10 - Vibhuti Yoga - Sloka 31

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of Bhagavad Gita , published by Ramakrishna Mission

Vibhutis Defined - 19-40

1 Gita Sloka  every day - Chapter 10 - Vibhuti Yoga - Sloka 31

Ganga's descent to earth

Pavanah pavatam asmi ramah sashtra bhrutam aham I

Jashanam makarah cha asmi srotasam asmi jahnavi II sloka 31

पावनः  पवतां अस्मि रामः शस्त्र भृतां अहं I 

झषाणां मकरः च अस्मि स्रोतसं अस्मि जाह्नवी II श्लोक 31

Of purifiers I am the wind; of the wielders of weapon I am Rama; Of fishes I am the shark, and of the rivers I am Ganges.

All the four elements - earth, water, fire and water are in fact purifiers. Among them air is all pervading and doing this great work very effectively. It is capable of purifying the earth, water and fire too. It make fire burn; it converts impure water into vapour and reinstates it as pure rain water. The smell produced by the earth and earthly things is purified and made smell-less by air. The glory of the lord reveals itself through this great purifier.

Unarmed and under armed countries are exposed to intrusion and invasion. In this respect Rama has a lesson to teach countries and governments. Weapon is a power for good or bad.  Rama's weapon was the deadliest in those days but he never abused it. Evil would have ensued if he had ever abused it. Whenever he put his weapon to use, only good came out of it. To be well armed and make good and timely use of the arms is the lesson that Rama teaches kings and rulers. Any deviation from his teaching isd snot good for public safety. Rama was an incarnation of God, and Krishna identifies himself with him. 

Among fishes he is the shark which is the most powerful among them. It has derived that power from Gods cosmic energy.

Ganges is also known as Jahnavi since she became the daughter of sage Jahnu. When Bhagiratha was escorting the Ganges, she inundated the sacrificial field of the sage Jahnu, who became annoyed at her intrusion and swallowed her. But at the supplication of Bhagiratha the sage permitted the river to come out of his ear. That way she became Jahnavi. Among rivers Ganges is the most sacred. Her water bottled over any length of time, does not putrefy. She is venerated as having come from the feet of Maha Vishnu and head of Shiva. Many saints and sage shave performed austerities on the banks of this river. She has a sanctifying influence on the sadhakas. This divinity in her is derived from the Lord.