Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.61
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति । भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया ॥६१॥
īśvaraḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ hṛddeśe'rjuna tiṣṭhati | bhrāmayansarvabhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā ||61||
Complete Shloka Translation
The Lord dwells in the heart of all beings, Arjuna, causing them to revolve through maya as though mounted on a machine.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ईश्वरः | īśvaraḥ | the Supreme Lord |
| सर्व-भूतानाम् | sarva-bhūtānām | of all living creatures |
| हृद्-देशे | hṛd-deśe | in the heart sanctuary |
| अर्जुन | arjuna | O Arjuna |
| तिष्ठति | tiṣṭhati | dwells and abides |
| भ्रामयन् | bhrāmayan | causing to revolve |
| सर्व-भूतानि | sarva-bhūtāni | all created beings |
| यन्त्र-आरूढानि | yantra-ārūḍhāni | as if mounted upon a mechanical contraption |
| मायया | māyayā | by His sovereign cosmic power (Maya) |
the Supreme Lord
of all living creatures
in the heart sanctuary
O Arjuna
dwells and abides
causing to revolve
all created beings
as if mounted upon a mechanical contraption
by His sovereign cosmic power (Maya)
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The machine image concerns embodied life under maya. Divine governance and human agency are interpreted differently across Vedanta traditions.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"How can awareness of conditioning make your choices more thoughtful?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How can awareness of conditioning make your choices more thoughtful?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to achieve purposeful living: execute your daily duties with full craftsmanship and honesty, release obsessive ego over results, and ground your spirit in timeless devotion, knowing that where righteous effort joins higher wisdom, victory is assured.