Chapter 18, Verse 61
Moksha Sanyaas Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
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
English 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.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 18.61
Commentary
Isvara The Lord the Ruler of the universe Narayana. The Lord abides in the hearts of all beings. It is He Who has given a gift of this marvellous machine to you. It is by His power that all bodies move. The Lord is the real Actor within. By Maya By causing illusion. He causes all beings to revolve like wooden dolls mounted on a machine. (Cf. X.20. XIII.18)
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
Simple Meaning
The Lord dwells in the hearts of all beings, O Arjuna, causing all beings by His illusive power to revolve as if mounted on a machine.
Context & Background
Krishna describes how the Supreme Lord directs the cosmic wheel of life from within.
Key Philosophical Teaching
God is the inner guide directing life. Realizing this leads to releasing egoism.
Practical Application
Acknowledge the inner divine presence guiding your life journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What metaphor is used in BG 18.61?
Krishna compares living beings to figures mounted on a machine (Yantra-rudhani).
Related Verses
Read Bhagavad Gita Offline
Save bookmarks, listen to Sanskrit shloka recitations, and track your daily spiritual reading progress in our lightweight Android mobile app.