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Chapter 9 · The Most Confidential Knowledge · 34 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Krishna’s natureChapter 9 · The Most Confidential Knowledge
9.49.6

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 9.5

Krishna pervades and governs creation

Īśvara · God

न च मत्स्थानि भूतानि पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् ।

भूतभृन्न च भूतस्थो ममात्मा भूतभावन: ॥ ५ ॥

na ca mat-sthāni bhūtāni

paśya me yogam aiśvaram

bhūta-bhṛn na ca bhūta-stho

mamātmā bhūta-bhāvanaḥ

Translation

And yet everything that is created does not rest in Me. Behold My mystic opulence! Although I am the maintainer of all living entities and although I am everywhere, I am not a part of this cosmic manifestation, for My Self is the very source of creation.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Kṛṣṇa’s Mystic Power

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa is everywhere and maintains all living beings, yet He is not part of creation. He is its source.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that everything rests on Kṛṣṇa’s energy, while He remains separate. His will alone creates, maintains and destroys everything.

  3. 3

    Do not think that supporting the universe makes Kṛṣṇa tired. His power is beyond our understanding.

Key points from the purport

Yogam-aisvaram explained — After explaining that all beings rest in Him, Lord says the opposite; that they do not rest in Him. This contradictory language is meant to show that He is personally aloof from the workings of the universe and that such functions are carried out by His energies

a

“Yogam-aisvaram” — This term describes the inconceivable mystic opulences of the Lord i.e. Everything that is created does not rest in Me. It implies:

Implies that although everything rests in Him as per 9.4, still “He is aloof” and not directly concerned with maintenance etc.

Not like ATLAS – tired of holding globe

b

How “He is aloof” — Examples of “inconceivable opulences”

e.g. Planetary systems floating in space, and space is the energy of the Lord. But He is different from space

e.g. His potencies are exemplified by His determination – No difference between His mind and Himself, because He is Absolute Spirit. All activities are performed just by His willing.

Ref. Nirukti dictionary: ‘Yujyate...’ – Inconceivable pastimes are performed by His energy

c

Refutes the argument — “Since God has expanded in everything, then everything we worship is God”

Refutation: Krishna is everywhere, everything is in Him, but still He is aloof

Further reading

Aisvarya–Jnana: Krishna’s Relationship To The Material

WORLD

Krishna pervades, creates and annihilates entire cosmos through His material energy

Although He is the supreme director, yet the material world nevertheless moves independently and Krishna thus remains neutral and detached

Chapter 9, section II: Aisvarya–Jnana: Krishna’s Relationship To The Material
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanever
  2. caalso
  3. mat-sthānisituated in Me
  4. bhūtāniall creation
  5. paśyajust see
  6. meMy
  7. yogam aiśvaraminconceivable mystic power
  8. bhūta-bhṛtthe maintainer of all living entities
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhagavān, vibhūti.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 9.5 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to krishna’s nature?

Practice

Notice something excellent and see it as His opulence.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 9 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 9.4Krishna pervades and governs creationBG 9.6Krishna pervades and governs creationBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 11.51Composure returns in Krishna’s personal presence
Live this todayEverything Rests on His EnergyA practice from BG 9.4, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
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