In Bhagavad Gita 4.6, Krishna explains that though he is unborn, imperishable and Lord of all beings, he takes birth by governing his own nature through his own divine power.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा
भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन्
प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय
सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ॥ ४-६ ॥
ajo’pi sannavyayātmā
bhūtānāmīśvaro’pi san
prakṛtiṃ svāmadhiṣṭhāya
sambhavāmyātmamāyayā
English transliteration ajo’pi sannavyayaatmaa
bhootaanaameeshvaro’pi san
prakritim svaamadhishthaaya
sambhavaamyaatmamaayayaa ॥ 4.6 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Although I am unborn and imperishable, and the Lord of all beings, yet, governing My own nature, I come into being through My own divine power.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अजः ajaḥ | unborn |
| अपि api | although |
| सन् san | being |
| अव्ययात्मा avyayātmā | of imperishable nature avyaya (imperishable) + ātmā (nature) |
| भूतानाम् bhūtānām | of beings |
| ईश्वरः īśvaraḥ | the Lord |
| अपि api | also |
| सन् san | being |
| प्रकृतिम् prakṛtim | nature |
| स्वाम् svām | My own |
| अधिष्ठाय adhiṣṭhāya | governing |
| सम्भवामि sambhavāmi | I come into being |
| आत्ममायया ātmamāyayā | by My own divine power ātma (own) + māyayā (power) |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–jo–‘pi san–nav–ya–yāt–mā 8 syllables a-jo-‘pi san-nav-ya-yaat-maa
- bhū–tā–nā–mīś–va–ro–‘pi san | 8 syllables bhoo-taa-naa-meesh-va-ro-‘pi san
- pra–kṛ–tiṃ svā–ma–dhiṣ–ṭhā–ya 8 syllables pra-kri-tim svaa-ma-dhish-thaa-ya
- sam–bha–vām–yāt–ma–mā–ya–yā || 4-6 8 syllables sam-bha-vaam-yaat-ma-maa-ya-yaa
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 4 Verse 6
Context
Krishna explains how his births differ from those of ordinary beings (following 4.5).
Meaning
Ordinary beings are born under the sway of prakṛti and karma. Krishna, though aja, unborn, and īśvara, Lord, takes birth by governing prakṛti through his own ātmamāyā, his divine creative power. He is not compelled by nature; nature serves him. This is the meaning of avatāra, divine descent.
The verse resolves Arjuna’s puzzle and introduces the idea of incarnation. The infinite can appear in finite form without ceasing to be infinite. For the seeker, this means the Divine is not distant: it can meet us in forms we can relate to, while remaining beyond all forms.
In Practice
Contemplate the idea that the infinite can appear within the finite. Look for a moment today where you sense something greater shining through ordinary life.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.