In Bhagavad Gita 9.4, Krishna says that all this universe is pervaded by him in his unmanifest form; all beings rest in him, but he does not rest in them.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
मया ततमिदं सर्वं
जगदव्यक्तमूर्तिना
मत्स्थानि सर्वभूतानि
न चाहं तेष्ववस्थितः ॥ ९-४ ॥
mayā tatamidaṃ sarvaṃ
jagadavyaktamūrtinā
matsthāni sarvabhūtāni
na cāhaṃ teṣvavasthitaḥ
English transliteration mayaa tatamidam sarvam
jagadavyaktamoortinaa
matsthaani sarvabhootaani
na chaaham teshvavasthitah ॥ 9.4 ॥
Translation / Meaning
By Me, in My unmanifest form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings exist in Me, but I do not exist in them.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| मया mayā | by Me |
| ततम् tatam | pervaded |
| इदम् idam | this |
| सर्वम् sarvam | entire |
| जगत् jagat | universe |
| अव्यक्तमूर्तिना avyaktamūrtinā | in unmanifest form avyakta (unmanifest) + mūrtinā (form) |
| मत्स्थानि matsthāni | existing in Me mat (Me) + sthāni (existing) |
| सर्वभूतानि sarvabhūtāni | all beings |
| न na | not |
| च ca | and |
| अहम् aham | I |
| तेषु teṣu | in them |
| अवस्थितः avasthitaḥ | exist |
Word-wise Chanting
- ma–yā ta–ta–mi–daṃ sar–vaṃ 8 syllables ma-yaa ta-ta-mi-dam sar-vam
- ja–ga–dav–yak–ta–mūr–ti–nā | 8 syllables ja-ga-dav-yak-ta-moor-ti-naa
- mat–sthā–ni sar–va–bhū–tā–ni 8 syllables mat-sthaa-ni sar-va-bhoo-taa-ni
- na cā–haṃ teṣ–va–vas–thi–taḥ || 9-4 8 syllables na chaa-ham tesh-va-vas-thi-tah
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 4
Context
Krishna begins revealing his relationship with the universe (9.4–9.10).
Meaning
The Divine pervades the whole universe in its avyakta-mūrti, unmanifest form, as space pervades all things. All beings depend on it. Yet the Divine is not contained in or limited by them. Beings exist in the Divine; the Divine is not confined to beings.
This is a subtle paradox. The ocean holds the waves, but no wave holds the ocean. Recognising this, we see everything as resting within a vaster reality that is never exhausted by its forms.
In Practice
Imagine all the beings you will meet today as resting within one vast, unseen presence.
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.