Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.6 अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन्
श्लोक 4.6
अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् ।
प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ॥
ajo'pi sannavyayātmā bhūtānāmīśvaro'pi san |
prakṛtiṃ svāmadhiṣṭhāya sambhavāmyātmamāyayā ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
मैं अजन्मा और अविनाशी स्वरूप वाला तथा सब प्राणियों का ईश्वर होते हुए भी, अपनी प्रकृति को अपने अधीन करके अपनी योगमाया से प्रकट होता हूँ।
Meaning in English
Though I am unborn and My nature is imperishable, and though I am the Lord of all beings, I take birth by governing My own nature through My own divine power (maya).
Bhagavad Gita 4.6 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अजः | ajaḥ | unborn |
| अपि सन् | api san | although being |
| अव्ययात्मा | avyaya-ātmā | of imperishable nature |
| भूतानाम् | bhūtānām | of all beings |
| ईश्वरः | īśvaraḥ | the Lord |
| अपि सन् | api san | although being |
| प्रकृतिम् | prakṛtim | nature |
| स्वाम् | svām | my own |
| अधिष्ठाय | adhiṣṭhāya | governing, presiding over |
| सम्भवामि | sambhavāmi | I come into being |
| आत्ममायया | ātma-māyayā | by my own power |
Explanation
Though I am unborn and my nature is imperishable, and though I am the Lord of all beings, I come into being by governing my own nature through my own power. Krishna's birth is not forced on him by past action, as ours is; he chooses it.
This verse explains how the avatara is possible. Shankara reads ātmamāyā as the Lord's own power of māyā, through which he appears to be born and embodied while remaining unborn in truth. Ramanuja reads māyā here as the Lord's own will and knowledge, and holds that he takes a real but non-material form without giving up his divine nature. Madhva similarly insists the Lord's form is fully divine. All agree that the Lord's birth is free and unlike the karma-driven births of verse 5.
भावार्थ
मैं अजन्मा और अविनाशी स्वरूप वाला हूँ तथा सब प्राणियों का ईश्वर हूँ, फिर भी अपनी प्रकृति को अपने अधीन रखकर अपनी योगमाया से स्वयं प्रकट होता हूँ।
Living it today
Act from choice, not compulsion. Even within duties and limits, you can decide the spirit in which you show up.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.6?
Though I am unborn and my nature is imperishable, and though I am the Lord of all beings, I come into being by governing my own nature through my own power. Krishna's birth is not forced on him by past action, as ours is; he chooses it.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.6?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.6 in daily life?
Act from choice, not compulsion. Even within duties and limits, you can decide the spirit in which you show up.
Reflected on verse 4.6?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.