In Bhagavad Gita 9.8, Krishna says that controlling his own nature, he sends forth again and again this whole multitude of beings, helpless under the power of nature.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
प्रकृतिं स्वामवष्टभ्य
विसृजामि पुनः पुनः
भूतग्राममिमं कृत्स्नम्
अवशं प्रकृतेर्वशात् ॥ ९-८ ॥
prakṛtiṃ svāmavaṣṭabhya
visṛjāmi punaḥ punaḥ
bhūtagrāmamimaṃ kṛtsnam
avaśaṃ prakṛtervaśāt
English transliteration prakritim svaamavashtabhya
visrijaami punah punah
bhootagraamamimam kritsnam
avasham prakritervashaat ॥ 9.8 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Taking hold of My own nature, I send forth again and again this entire multitude of beings, helpless under the sway of nature.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| प्रकृतिम् prakṛtim | nature |
| स्वाम् svām | own |
| अवष्टभ्य avaṣṭabhya | taking hold of |
| विसृजामि visṛjāmi | send forth |
| पुनः पुनः punaḥ punaḥ | again and again |
| भूतग्रामम् bhūtagrāmam | multitude of beings bhūta (beings) + grāmam (multitude) |
| इमम् imam | this |
| कृत्स्नम् kṛtsnam | entire |
| अवशम् avaśam | helpless |
| प्रकृतेः prakṛteḥ | of nature |
| वशात् vaśāt | by the sway |
Word-wise Chanting
- pra–kṛ–tiṃ svā–ma–vaṣ–ṭabh–ya 8 syllables pra-kri-tim svaa-ma-vash-tabh-ya
- vi–sṛ–jā–mi pu–naḥ pu–naḥ | 8 syllables vi-sri-jaa-mi pu-nah pu-nah
- bhū–tag–rā–ma–mi–maṃ kṛt–snam– 8 syllables bhoo-tag-raa-ma-mi-mam krit-snam-
- a–va–śaṃ pra–kṛ–ter–va–śāt || 9-8 8 syllables a-va-sham pra-kri-ter-va-shaat
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 8
Context
Krishna continues to describe the cosmic cycle (9.7–9.10).
Meaning
The Divine works through its prakṛti, nature, which it holds and directs. Through it, beings are created again and again. They are avaśa, helpless, carried along by the force of nature and their own past tendencies. The Divine is the master; beings are carried by nature until they awaken.
The contrast is clear: nature controls beings, but the Divine controls nature. Freedom lies in turning toward the one who holds nature, rather than remaining carried by it.
In Practice
Notice where you feel carried by habit or circumstance. Turn inwardly to the Divine as the one who holds all nature.
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.