In Bhagavad Gita 9.10, Krishna says that under his supervision nature produces all moving and unmoving things, and for this reason the world revolves.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
मयाध्यक्षेण प्रकृतिः
सूयते सचराचरम्
हेतुनानेन कौन्तेय
जगद्विपरिवर्तते ॥ ९-१० ॥
mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ
sūyate sacarācaram
hetunānena kaunteya
jagadviparivartate
English transliteration mayaadhyakshena prakritih
sooyate sacharaacharam
hetunaanena kaunteya
jagadviparivartate ॥ 9.10 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Under My supervision, nature brings forth all that moves and does not move. For this reason, O son of Kunti, the world revolves.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| मया mayā | by Me |
| अध्यक्षेण adhyakṣeṇa | as supervisor |
| प्रकृतिः prakṛtiḥ | nature |
| सूयते sūyate | brings forth |
| सचराचरम् sacarācaram | all moving and unmoving sa (with) + cara (moving) + acaram (unmoving) |
| हेतुना hetunā | for reason |
| अनेन anena | this |
| कौन्तेय kaunteya | O son of Kuntī |
| जगत् jagat | world |
| विपरिवर्तते viparivartate | revolves |
Word-wise Chanting
- ma–yādh–ya–kṣe–ṇa pra–kṛ–tiḥ 8 syllables ma-yaadh-ya-kshe-na pra-kri-tih
- sū–ya–te sa–ca–rā–ca–ram | 8 syllables soo-ya-te sa-cha-raa-cha-ram
- he–tu–nā–ne–na kaun–te–ya 8 syllables he-tu-naa-ne-na kaun-te-ya
- ja–gad–vi–pa–ri–var–ta–te || 9-10 8 syllables ja-gad-vi-pa-ri-var-ta-te
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 9 Verse 10
Context
Krishna concludes his description of his relationship with creation (9.4–9.10).
Meaning
Nature does the actual work of creation, but it works under the Divine’s adhyakṣatā, supervision or presence. Like a king whose presence makes the kingdom function, the Divine’s presence makes nature produce all things. Because of this, the world keeps turning.
The Divine is the witnessing presence that empowers nature, not a laborer within it. In the same way, our inner awareness empowers body and mind without itself becoming the doer.
In Practice
In a busy moment today, sense the awareness within you that witnesses all the activity without being disturbed.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga (The Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret). 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.