Chapter 8 Verse 4
Akṣhar Brahma Yog
अधिभूतं क्षरो भावः पुरुषश्चाधिदैवतम्। अधियज्ञोऽहमेवात्र देहे देहभृतां वर।।8.4।।
adhibhūtaṁ kṣharo bhāvaḥ puruṣhaśh chādhidaivatam adhiyajño ’ham evātra dehe deha-bhṛitāṁ vara
Word Meanings
| adhibhūtam | the ever changing physical manifestation |
| kṣharaḥ | perishable |
| bhāvaḥ | nature |
| puruṣhaḥ | the cosmic personality of God, encompassing the material creation |
| cha | and |
| adhidaivatam | the Lord of the celestial gods |
| adhiyajñaḥ | the Lord of all sacrifices |
| aham | I |
| eva | certainly |
| atra | here |
| dehe | in the body |
| deha-bhṛitām | of the embodied |
| vara | O best |
Translation
Adhibhuta—knowledge of the elements—pertains to My perishable nature, and the Purusha, or the Soul, is the Adhidaiva; I alone am the Adhiyajna here in this body, O best among the embodied.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse draws a clear line between the changing physical world and the eternal divine presence. The body and the elements (adhibhuta) are perishable and always changing, while the inner Purusha or divine soul (adhidaivatam) is the guiding, unchanging principle.
Krishna then says He alone is the adhiyajna — the Lord of sacrifice — within the body. That means the true recipient and ruler of our offerings, actions, and worship is the divine presence inside us, not the outer forms or rituals. Seeing Krishna as the inner Lord shifts the focus from external performance to inner surrender.
Recognizing this helps us treat the body as an instrument, not the self, and reminds us that spiritual work is an inner offering. It connects everyday duties to a higher purpose: actions done as offerings to the inner Lord lose selfishness and gain lasting value.
Life Application
- When you work or serve, mentally dedicate the action to the inner divine rather than to personal gain.
- Remember the body and possessions will change; invest energy in inner qualities like compassion, steadiness, and devotion.
- Treat rituals and routines as reminders to turn inward and offer your thoughts and efforts to a higher purpose.
Reflection Question
How would your daily actions change if you truly offered them to the inner Lord rather than to your ego?