ईश्वर: सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति ।
भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया ॥ ६१ ॥
īśhvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛid-deśhe ‘rjuna tiṣhṭhati
bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā
श्लोक ६१: हे अर्जुन! समस्त प्राणियों के हृदय में स्थित परम नियन्ता परमेश्वर उनकी गतिविधि का निर्देशन करते हैं, जो मानो भौतिक शक्ति से बने हुए किसी यंत्र पर बैठे हुए हों।
Shloka 61: O Arjuna! The Supreme controller dwelling within the hearts of all living beings, directs their movement, who are as if seated on a machine made of the material energy.
Bhagavad Gita 18.61 presents one of the most profound revelations about the relationship between the individual soul, material nature, and the Supreme Lord. In this verse, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna: "The Supreme Lord dwells in the hearts of all living beings, O Arjun. According to their karmas, He directs the wanderings of the souls, who are seated on a machine made of material energy."This verse comes at a critical moment in Krishna's teaching. After explaining how each person is compelled to act according to their nature (svabhava), Krishna now addresses whether nature itself is the ultimate controller. The answer is a definitive no – above nature stands Ishvara, the Supreme Controller who resides in everyone's heart.The Sanskrit term "hṛd-deśe tiṣṭhati" is particularly significant, indicating that the Lord resides not merely in the physical heart but in the core of our consciousness. This divine presence is not passive – Krishna explains that He actively "directs the wanderings" of all beings as they move through the cycle of birth and death. This reveals a profound truth: while we may feel we are independent actors making our own choices, our journey through material existence is ultimately supervised by divine intelligence.Krishna uses a powerful metaphor, comparing our material bodies to machines (yantra) made of material energy (maya). Just as a passenger sits in a vehicle, the soul is seated in this bodily machine, but it is the Supreme Lord who guides its course. This reveals the intricate relationship between free will and divine supervision – we make choices according to our nature and desires, but these choices unfold within a broader divine plan.There's a crucial insight here about our perceived independence. When we act in forgetfulness of our relationship with Krishna, believing ourselves to be completely autonomous, we aren't truly free – we're simply being carried along by the currents of material nature. Shree Krishna emphasizes to Arjuna, "whether you choose to obey me or not, your position will always remain under my dominion." This isn't meant as a threat but as a reminder of our eternal relationship with the Supreme.The verse offers both a challenge and a profound opportunity. The challenge is to recognize that our sense of complete independence is an illusion. The opportunity lies in what happens when we consciously align our will with the divine will. When we surrender to Krishna's guidance, the same body, the same world, and the same nature that once bound us can become instruments for our liberation. This is the essence of yoga – not escaping from material existence, but transforming our relationship with it through divine connection.What makes this verse especially significant is how it bridges philosophy and practical spirituality. It reminds us that in our moments of confusion, uncertainty, or feeling lost, we are never truly alone. The Supreme Lord is always present in our hearts, guiding us according to our karma and readiness to receive His direction. Rather than fighting against our nature or circumstances, spiritual wisdom lies in surrendering to the one who ultimately holds the reins of both – transforming our aimless wandering into a purposeful spiritual journey.
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