मयाऽध्यक्षेण प्रकृतिः सूयते सचराचरम्। हेतुनाऽनेन कौन्तेय जगद्विपरिवर्तते।।9.10।।
mayaa adhyakshena prakritih suuyate sacaracarama hetunaa enena kaunteya jagat viparivartate
Translation
Working under My direction, material nature manifests both the moving and the non‑moving; for this reason, O son of Kunti, the world turns.
Word Meanings
mayā — by Me; adhyakṣeṇa — by superintendence; prakṛtiḥ — material nature; sūyate — manifests; sacarācaram — the moving and the non‑moving; hetunā — for the reason; anena — this; kaunteya — O son of Kuntī; jagat — the cosmic manifestation; viparivartate — is working.
Understanding the Verse
In this verse Krishna reveals the supreme role of the Divine in the functioning of the universe. The term mayā adhyakṣeṇa emphasizes that the entire cosmic activity is performed under the direct supervision of the Lord. It is not a random, autonomous process; rather, it is a controlled manifestation, much like a conductor guiding an orchestra.
The phrase prakṛtiḥ sūyate denotes the material energy, the primal cause that gives rise to all forms. In the Vedantic worldview, prakṛti is the inert, unconscious principle that becomes active only through the will of the Supreme. By stating that prakṛti ‘manifests’ (sūyate), the Lord underscores that creation is a dynamic process, a continual unfolding of potential into concrete reality.
The word sacarācaram combines sacara (the moving) and acara (the non‑moving), indicating that everything – from animate beings to inanimate matter – arises from this divine activity. This holistic view dissolves any apparent dichotomy between spirit and matter, showing that both are expressions of the same cosmic energy, orchestrated by the Divine.
Hetunā ’nena – ‘for this reason’ – points to a causal relationship. Because the world is created and sustained by the Lord’s direction, every change that occurs in the universe, whether it is birth, growth, decay, or dissolution, is ultimately rooted in the same divine purpose. This reinforces the concept of lila, the divine play, where all apparent opposites are merely stages in a grand performance.
Krishna addresses Arjuna as kaunteya, reminding him of his lineage and his duty as a Kshatriya. By invoking this personal address, the Lord makes the philosophical teaching intimate and relevant to Arjuna’s immediate dilemma on the battlefield. The instruction is not abstract; it is a practical guide for action under divine guidance.
Finally, jagat viparivartate – ‘the world turns’ – captures the perpetual motion of the cosmos. The term viparivartate carries the nuance of change, rotation, and transformation. It communicates that the universe is in a constant state of flux, guided by divine will, and that this flux includes the cycles of creation, preservation, and dissolution (sṛṣṭi, sthiti, and pralaya). The verse thus assures Arjuna that even the most tumultuous events on the battlefield are part of the divine order, encouraging him to act without attachment, trusting the higher plan.
Overall, Chapter 9, Verse 10 conveys a profound metaphysical insight: the material world is not an independent entity but a manifestation of the Supreme’s conscious direction. Recognizing this truth empowers the seeker to see beyond the illusion of separateness, fostering devotion, surrender, and a steady mind amid the ever‑changing currents of life.
