All this universe is pervaded by my unmanifest form. All beings dwell in me, but I do not dwell in them.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 9.4
Hindi · हिन्दी
यह सब संसार मेरे निराकार स्वरूपसे व्याप्त है । सम्पूर्ण प्राणी मेरेमें स्थित हैं परन्तु मैं उनमें स्थित नहीं हूँ तथा वे प्राणी भी मुझ में स्थित नहीं हैं मेरे इस ईश्वरसम्बन्धी योगसामर्थ्य को देख सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंको उत्पन्न करनेवाला और उनका धारण, भरणपोषण करनेवाला मेरा स्वरूप उन प्राणियोंमें स्थित नहीं है ॥
Krishna says the whole universe is sustained by his unseen presence. Every being exists within him, yet he is not limited by any being.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna begins revealing his deeper nature to Arjuna. Besides being charioteer and teacher, he is the unseen ground holding every being, while remaining beyond all that appears.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A mother runs a joint household of eleven people, and every meal, quarrel and festival passes through her kitchen. Krishna's claim is larger: every being rests in him, while he rests in none of them.
The takeaway
“You can belong to everything without being trapped inside it.”
Krishna says the whole universe is sustained by his unseen presence. Every being exists within him, yet he is not limited by any being.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 9.4?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga" (The Royal Knowledge).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 9.4?
Verse 4 sits in Chapter 9 of the Bhagavad Gita — Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga, "The Royal Knowledge". The chapter has 34 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 9.4 matter today?
A mother runs a joint household of eleven people, and every meal, quarrel and festival passes through her kitchen. Krishna's claim is larger: every being rests in him, while he rests in none of them.
Krishna's unmanifest form pervades the universe; all beings rest in him, yet he does not rest in them.
What this verse means
Krishna says the whole universe is sustained by his unseen presence. Every being exists within him, yet he is not limited by any being.
Context & commentary
Krishna begins revealing his deeper nature to Arjuna. Besides being charioteer and teacher, he is the unseen ground holding every being, while remaining beyond all that appears.
What it looks like today
A mother runs a joint household of eleven people, and every meal, quarrel and festival passes through her kitchen. Krishna's claim is larger: every being rests in him, while he rests in none of them.
“You can belong to everything without being trapped inside it.”
Explore related themes: bhagavan (11 verses), omnipresence (11 verses), avyakta (10 verses)