Bhagavad Gita · Verse 7.4
Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (ज्ञानविज्ञानयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
भूमिरापोऽनलो वायुः खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च । अहङ्कार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिरष्टधा ॥४॥
bhūmirāpo'nalo vāyuḥ khaṃ mano buddhireva ca | ahaṅkāra itīyaṃ me bhinnā prakṛtiraṣṭadhā ||4||
Complete Shloka Translation
Earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect and ego: this is My nature divided into eight parts.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| भूमिः | bhūmiḥ | earth / solid elements |
| आपः | āpaḥ | water / liquid elements |
| अनलः | analaḥ | fire / radiant energy |
| वायुः | vāyuḥ | air / gaseous motion |
| खम् | kham | ether / space |
| मनः | manaḥ | mind |
| बुद्धिः | buddhiḥ | intellect / discriminating faculty |
| एव च | eva ca | and also indeed |
| अहंकारः | ahaṅkāraḥ | ego / sense of separate individuality |
| इति | iti | thus / in this manner |
| इयम् | iyam | this |
| मे | me | My |
| भिन्ना | bhinnā | divided / differentiated |
| प्रकृतिः | prakṛtiḥ | material nature (Apara) |
| अष्टधा | aṣṭadhā | into eight distinct parts |
earth / solid elements
water / liquid elements
fire / radiant energy
air / gaseous motion
ether / space
mind
intellect / discriminating faculty
and also indeed
ego / sense of separate individuality
thus / in this manner
this
My
divided / differentiated
material nature (Apara)
into eight distinct parts
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The eightfold account includes mental faculties as well as the elements. It belongs to traditional philosophical cosmology and introduces the lower nature distinguished in the next verse.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Notice both the world around you and the mental habits shaping your experience."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which mental habit most shapes your view of the world?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to look beneath external appearances in your daily life: see the underlying divine spark and interconnectedness in everyone, and seek refuge in timeless values rather than chasing fleeting superficial illusions.