Chapter 9 Verse 5
Rāja Vidyā Yog
न च मत्स्थानि भूतानि पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम्। भूतभृन्न च भूतस्थो ममात्मा भूतभावनः।।9.5।।
na cha mat-sthāni bhūtāni paśhya me yogam aiśhwaram bhūta-bhṛin na cha bhūta-stho mamātmā bhūta-bhāvanaḥ
Word Meanings
| na | never |
| cha | and |
| mat-sthāni | abide in me |
| bhūtāni | all living beings |
| paśhya | behold |
| me | my |
| yogam aiśhwaram | divine energy |
| bhūta-bhṛit | the sustainer of all living beings |
| na | never |
| cha | yet |
| bhūta-sthaḥ | dwelling in |
| mama | my |
| ātmā | self |
| bhūta-bhāvanaḥ | the creator of all beings |
Translation
Nor do beings exist in Me (in reality); behold, My divine Yoga, which supports all beings, but does not dwell in them, is My Self, the efficient cause of beings.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says that living beings do not truly live “inside” God as if God were their limited home. Instead, God’s divine power holds and supports all life. That power is the source and maker of everything, yet it is not trapped inside any one creature.
Krishna points to a difference between the creator and the created. He is the efficient cause — the active source that brings beings into existence and keeps them going — but He is greater than and apart from each individual life.
Spiritually, this teaches that the world is sustained by a higher, intelligent force. We are connected to that force, but we are not identical with it. This helps us see our smallness and the vastness of the divine support behind life.
Life Application
- When you face stress or failure, remember a larger support is holding life together; breathe, humble yourself, and try again without blaming only your separate self.
- Do your work sincerely but avoid claiming total ownership of results; recognize effort plus a larger helping force.
- Treat others with respect as sustained by the same divine power, while staying aware you are not the ultimate center.
Reflection Question
How would I act differently today if I truly felt my life was supported by a greater power rather than being the sole doer?