Bhagavad Gita 9.5 — Behold the Divine Mystery: The Sustainer of Beings Is Not Bound by Them
न च मत्स्थानि भूतानि पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् ।
भूतभृन्न च भूतस्थो ममात्मा भूतभावनः ॥ ९.५ ॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
Yet the beings do not dwell in Me. Behold My divine mystic power: My Self, the sustainer and source of all beings, does not dwell in them.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not |
| cha | and |
| mat-sthāni | dwelling in Me |
| bhūtāni | beings |
| paśhya | behold |
| me | My |
| yogam | mystic power, divine power |
| aiśhwaram | sovereign, divine |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| bhūta-bhṛit | the sustainer of beings |
| na | not |
| cha | and |
| bhūta-sthaḥ | dwelling in beings |
| mama | My |
| ātmā | Self |
| bhūta-bhāvanaḥ | the source of beings, the cause of their existence |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not | bhūta-bhṛit | the sustainer of beings |
| cha | and | na | not |
| mat-sthāni | dwelling in Me | cha | and |
| bhūtāni | beings | bhūta-sthaḥ | dwelling in beings |
| paśhya | behold | mama | My |
| me | My | ātmā | Self |
| yogam | mystic power, divine power | bhūta-bhāvanaḥ | the source of beings, the cause of their existence |
| aiśhwaram | sovereign, divine | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna now addresses the apparent contradiction of the previous verse directly. He declares that this is His divine yoga, His mysterious sovereign power, by which He supports and brings forth all beings while remaining completely unaffected by them.
Essence
The Mystery of the Lord's Divine Power
The previous verse said that all beings are in Him, yet He is not in them. Here Lord Krishna invites Arjuna to look deeper by saying, in effect, that this cannot be understood by ordinary logic. It must be seen as a manifestation of the Lord's own supreme power.
Na ca mat-sthāni bhūtāni (and yet beings do not truly rest in Me): From the highest standpoint, the Lord is never physically contained by the creation. The beings do not occupy Him as objects occupy a room. Their existence depends entirely on His will and power, but He remains complete in Himself.
Paśya me yogam aiśvaram (behold My divine yoga): Yoga here means the Lord's inconceivable power, and aiśvaram means that which belongs to the Supreme Lord. Lord Krishna asks Arjuna to behold it with wonder rather than try to reduce it to a simple formula. Some truths are understood by humility, not by analysis alone.
Bhūta-bhṛt (the sustainer of beings): It is the Lord who maintains all creatures. Every being is sustained by the energy, food, air and intelligence that come ultimately from Him.
Na ca bhūta-sthaḥ (yet He does not dwell in them as one dependent on them): He supports them but is not subject to their limitations. The Sun gives light to the whole world, yet it is not made dirty by what it illuminates.
Mamātmā bhūta-bhāvanaḥ (My Self is the source of all beings): The Lord's own Self is the origin and cause of creation. He is the one who brings beings into existence and nourishes their growth.
Message for Everyday Life (Supporting Without Possessing)
Learn to give without clinging: The Lord supports all, yet is attached to none. In our own lives, we are called to care for family, colleagues and society, but we often suffer because we cling to the people and results we care about.
Practical approach: Do your duty fully and lovingly, but remind yourself that you are an instrument and not the ultimate owner of what you protect. This attitude allows love without possessiveness, and service without exhaustion.
The Mystery of the Lord's Divine Power
The previous verse said that all beings are in Him, yet He is not in them. Here Lord Krishna invites Arjuna to look deeper by saying, in effect, that this cannot be understood by ordinary logic. It must be seen as a manifestation of the Lord's own supreme power.
Na ca mat-sthāni bhūtāni (and yet beings do not truly rest in Me): From the highest standpoint, the Lord is never physically contained by the creation. The beings do not occupy Him as objects occupy a room. Their existence depends entirely on His will and power, but He remains complete in Himself.
Paśya me yogam aiśvaram (behold My divine yoga): Yoga here means the Lord's inconceivable power, and aiśvaram means that which belongs to the Supreme Lord. Lord Krishna asks Arjuna to behold it with wonder rather than try to reduce it to a simple formula. Some truths are understood by humility, not by analysis alone.
Bhūta-bhṛt (the sustainer of beings): It is the Lord who maintains all creatures. Every being is sustained by the energy, food, air and intelligence that come ultimately from Him.
Na ca bhūta-sthaḥ (yet He does not dwell in them as one dependent on them): He supports them but is not subject to their limitations. The Sun gives light to the whole world, yet it is not made dirty by what it illuminates.
Mamātmā bhūta-bhāvanaḥ (My Self is the source of all beings): The Lord's own Self is the origin and cause of creation. He is the one who brings beings into existence and nourishes their growth.
Message for Everyday Life (Supporting Without Possessing)
Learn to give without clinging: The Lord supports all, yet is attached to none. In our own lives, we are called to care for family, colleagues and society, but we often suffer because we cling to the people and results we care about.
Practical approach: Do your duty fully and lovingly, but remind yourself that you are an instrument and not the ultimate owner of what you protect. This attitude allows love without possessiveness, and service without exhaustion.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has called this His divine yoga, the way in which He sustains all beings while remaining independent of them. To help Arjuna grasp this subtle truth, He now offers a simple and beautiful analogy from nature, comparing His relationship with the world to that of the air and the sky.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Wonder opens what logic cannot.
Support without bondage is the highest care.
The source stays free of its creation.
Divine power holds without clinging.
Behold, and be silent.
To nurture without possessing is love at its best.
Hold lightly what you sustain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'yogam aiśhwaram' (divine mystic power) mean?
What does 'bhūta-bhṛit' (sustainer of beings) mean?
What does 'bhūta-bhāvanaḥ' (source of beings) mean?
How does this verse relate to the paradox of the previous verse?
What is the practical message of this verse?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: