Chapter 18 Verse 61
Mokṣha Sanyās Yog
ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति।भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया।।18.61।।
īśhvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛid-deśhe ‘rjuna tiṣhṭhati bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā
Word Meanings
| īśhvaraḥ | the Supreme Lord |
| sarva-bhūtānām | in all living being |
| hṛit-deśhe | in the hearts |
| arjuna | Arjun |
| tiṣhṭhati | dwells |
| bhrāmayan | causing to wander |
| sarva-bhūtāni | all living beings |
| yantra ārūḍhani | seated on a machine |
| māyayā | made of the material energy |
Translation
The Lord dwells in the hearts of all beings, O Arjuna, causing all beings, by His illusory power, to revolve as if mounted on a machine.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says the Lord lives in the heart of every being as an inner presence. At the same time, life moves under a power called māyā that makes bodies and minds act like machines.
Seen philosophically, it means we are more than our thoughts, habits, and roles. Our usual activity often runs on automatic forces, while a deeper, divine presence watches and supports everything from within.
Recognizing this helps us step back from reactive living. We can treat the body-mind as an instrument and choose actions from awareness rather than from blind habit.
Life Application
- Pause daily for a few breaths and feel the quiet inside you that is not your thoughts; this connects you to the inner presence.
- Treat your body and mind as tools—take responsibility for actions, but don’t identify only with roles, emotions, or outcomes.
- When you notice repeating patterns or strong impulses, name them and choose a conscious response instead of reacting automatically.
Reflection Question
Can I feel the inner presence that is not my busy mind, and how would that change one small choice today?