In Bhagavad Gita 9.7, Krishna says that at the end of a cosmic cycle all beings return to his nature, and at the beginning of a new cycle he sends them forth again.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
सर्वभूतानि कौन्तेय
प्रकृतिं यान्ति मामिकाम्
कल्पक्षये पुनस्तानि
कल्पादौ विसृजाम्यहम् ॥ ९-७ ॥
sarvabhūtāni kaunteya
prakṛtiṃ yānti māmikām
kalpakṣaye punastāni
kalpādau visṛjāmyaham
English transliteration sarvabhootaani kaunteya
prakritim yaanti maamikaam
kalpakshaye punastaani
kalpaadau visrijaamyaham ॥ 9.7 ॥
Translation / Meaning
All beings, O son of Kunti, return to My nature at the end of a cosmic cycle; at the beginning of a new cycle, I send them forth again.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सर्वभूतानि sarvabhūtāni | all beings |
| कौन्तेय kaunteya | O son of Kuntī |
| प्रकृतिम् prakṛtim | nature |
| यान्ति yānti | return |
| मामिकाम् māmikām | My |
| कल्पक्षये kalpakṣaye | at the end of a cosmic cycle kalpa (cosmic cycle) + kṣaye (at the end) |
| पुनः punaḥ | again |
| तानि tāni | them |
| कल्पादौ kalpādau | at the beginning of a cycle kalpa (cycle) + ādau (at the beginning) |
| विसृजामि visṛjāmi | send forth |
| अहम् aham | I |
Word-wise Chanting
- sar–va–bhū–tā–ni kaun–te–ya 8 syllables sar-va-bhoo-taa-ni kaun-te-ya
- pra–kṛ–tiṃ yān–ti mā–mi–kām | 8 syllables pra-kri-tim yaan-ti maa-mi-kaam
- kal–pa–kṣa–ye pu–nas–tā–ni 8 syllables kal-pa-ksha-ye pu-nas-taa-ni
- kal–pā–dau vi–sṛ–jām–ya–ham || 9-7 8 syllables kal-paa-dau vi-sri-jaam-ya-ham
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 7
Context
Krishna describes his role in the cosmic cycles (9.7–9.10).
Meaning
At the close of each kalpa, a great cosmic cycle, all beings withdraw into the Divine’s prakṛti, its own nature. At the start of the next kalpa, the Divine sends them forth again. Creation is a rhythmic breathing out and breathing in.
This connects with 8.18–8.19. The universe is not a one-time event but an endless rhythm within the Divine. Nothing is ever lost; everything returns to its source.
In Practice
Notice the natural rhythm of your breath. Let it remind you of the great rhythm of creation and dissolution.
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.