गामाविश्य च भूतानि धारयाम्यहमोजसा।पुष्णामि चौषधीः सर्वाः सोमो भूत्वा रसात्मकः।।15.13।।
gāmāviśya ca bhūtāni dhārayāmy aham ojasā puṣṇāmi ca auṣadhīḥ sarvāḥ somo bhūtvā rasa‑ātmakaḥ
Translation
Entering the planets, I sustain all living beings with My energy. I also nourish all plants, becoming the moon and providing them with the life‑giving juice.
Word Meanings
gām — the planets; āviśya — entering; ca — also; bhūtāni — the living entities; dhārayāmi — sustain; aham — I; ojasā — by My energy; puṣṇāmi — am nourishing; ca — and; auṣadhīḥ — vegetables; sarvāḥ — all; somaḥ — the moon; bhūtvā — becoming; rasa‑ātmakaḥ — supplying the juice.
Understanding the Verse
Verse 15.13 of the Bhagavad Gita reveals the all‑pervasive aspect of the Divine, illustrating how the Supreme Being pervades the cosmos and maintains every form of life. The first part, ‘gāmāviśya ca bhūtāni dhārayāmy aham ojasā’, signifies that the Lord enters the planetary realms (gām) and, through His divine energy (ojas), upholds all sentient beings (bhūtāni). This underscores the concept that the material universe, though appearing independent, is continuously sustained by the subtle, vital force of the Divine. The word ‘ojas’ denotes not merely physical vigor but the subtle life‑force that animates the universe, linking the macrocosm of planets to the microcosm of individual souls.
The second segment, ‘puṣṇāmi ca auṣadhīḥ sarvāḥ somo bhūtvā rasa‑ātmakaḥ’, expands this sustaining activity to the plant kingdom. Here, the Lord identifies himself with the moon (soma), the celestial body whose cool, moist influence nurtures vegetation. By becoming the moon, the Divine provides the essential ‘rasa‑ātmaka’ – the nourishing essence or juice – that energizes all plants (auṣadhīḥ). This metaphor emphasizes the interconnectedness of celestial cycles and earthly growth, portraying the moon’s reflected light as a source of life‑force for flora.
Together, these lines convey a profound theological principle: the Supreme Reality is both the macro‑cosmic regulator and the micro‑cosmic caretaker. The Lord’s presence is not limited to lofty realms; it permeates the soil, the stars, and the very sap within a leaf. This holistic vision encourages devotees to recognize divinity in every facet of existence, fostering reverence for both the animate and inanimate, from planets to the smallest seedling. By understanding that the same divine energy that maintains the planetary order also nourishes the garden, a practitioner can cultivate humility and gratitude, seeing all life as a manifestation of the same sacred source.
Practically, this verse invites a devotional attitude toward nature. Recognizing the moon’s role in agriculture, ancient sages aligned sowing and harvesting with lunar phases, acknowledging the inherent divine rhythm. Modern readers can draw ecological wisdom from this teaching, promoting sustainable stewardship of the environment as an act of honoring the Divine’s sustaining presence. Ultimately, Verse 15.13 reminds us that every breath of the cosmos is infused with divine vitality, urging us to live in harmony with the universal life‑force that the Lord continually provides.
