अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूटानामीश्वरोऽपि सन्। प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय संभवाम्यात्ममायया।।4.6।।
ajo'pi sannavyayātma bhūtānām īśvaro'pi san | prakṛtiṁ svāmadhiṣṭhāya saṁbhavāmi ātma-māyayā
Translation
Although I am unborn, being the Lord of all living entities and having an imperishable nature, yet I appear in this world by taking up My own material nature and by My divine internal energy.
Word Meanings
ajoḥ — unborn; api — although; san — being so; avyaya — without deterioration; ātmā — body; bhūtānām — of all those who are born; īśvaraḥ — the Supreme Lord; api — although; san — being so; prakṛtim — in the transcendental form; svām — of Myself; adhiṣṭhāya — being so situated; sambhavāmi — I do incarnate; ātma-māyayā — by My internal energy.
Understanding the Verse
In this verse Lord Krishna reveals a profound paradox of the Divine nature. He begins with the term ajo (unborn), indicating that He is beyond birth and death, untouched by the cycles of creation and dissolution that bind ordinary souls. This characteristic aligns with the concept of the Supreme Being as eternal, who is not subject to the material conditions that govern the cosmos.
The continuation api san emphasizes that even though He is unborn, He still identifies Himself as the īśvara – the supreme ruler of all beings. This affirms that the Lord is both transcendent and immanent: beyond the material world yet fully in control of it. The phrase sannavyayātmā (imperishable self) underscores His immutable essence, contrasting with the perishable nature of all created entities.
The next segment introduces the concept of prakṛti (material nature). By stating prakṛtiṁ svāmadhiṣṭhāya, Krishna explains that He temporarily assumes a material form, situating Himself within the fabric of nature. This is not a diminution of His divinity but a purposeful incarnation, undertaken for the benefit of sentient beings. The acceptance of material nature is a conscious act, illustrating divine compassion: the Lord willingly enters the realm of limitation to guide and uplift those trapped in ignorance.
The final clause, saṁbhavāmi ātma-māyayā, reveals the mechanism of this divine appearance. Ātma‑māyā translates to "internal energy" or "divine power inherent within the Self." It is distinct from yogamāyā, the external illusion, and denotes the Lord's own potency that manifests the material universe. Through His own energy, He generates the world, maintaining that creation is not a random occurrence but a deliberate act of divine will.
Together, the verse conveys the theological principle that the Supreme Being, though immutable and beyond birth, can manifest within the material realm out of love and responsibility. This underpins the doctrine of avataras – divine descents – wherein the Lord adopts human or other forms to restore dharma. It also reassures seekers that the Supreme is not distant; He actively participates in the cosmic drama, providing a path for liberation. Understanding this paradox encourages devotees to see beyond the apparent contradictions of existence, recognizing that the immutable source can compassionately engage with the transient world.
In contemporary practice, this verse inspires faith that the Divine can intervene in personal crises, offering guidance and protection. It reminds aspirants that while they navigate the impermanent world, the eternal presence of the Lord remains ever ready, governed not by external circumstances but by His own infinite power. This awareness fosters surrender, devotion, and the confidence that divine support is ever-present, even amidst life's most challenging battles.
