सर्वभूतानि कौन्तेय प्रकृतिं यान्ति मामिकाम्। कल्पक्षये पुनस्तानि कल्पादौ विसृजाम्यहम्।।9.7।।
sarva‑bhūtāni kaunteya prakṛtiṁ yānti māmikām | kalpa‑kṣaye punar tāni kalpa‑ādau visṛjāmy aham ||9.7||
Translation
O son of Kunti, all beings enter My nature at the dissolution of a kalpa, and I again create them at the beginning of the next kalpa.
Word Meanings
sarva-bhūtāni — all created entities; kaunteya — O son of Kuntī; prakṛtim — nature; yānti — enter; māmikām — My; kalpa-kṣaye — at the end of the kalpa (cosmic age); punaḥ — again; tāni — those; kalpa-ādau — at the beginning of the kalpa; visṛjāmi — I create; aham — I
Understanding the Verse
In this verse, Krishna expands on the cosmic cycle that governs every entity in existence. He addresses Arjuna as \"kaunteya\", reminding him of their personal bond and the broader spiritual relationship. The term \"sarva‑bhūtāni\" emphasizes that the statement applies universally – every living and non‑living entity, irrespective of its form or consciousness, is encompassed.
The concept of \"prakṛti\" in the Gita is the primal material substratum, the source from which the manifest world arises. When Krishna says that all beings \"yānti māmikām\" – they enter My nature – he indicates that, at the end of a kalpa (the full duration of a cosmic cycle), everything merges back into the divine essence. This dissolution is not a loss but a transformation: individual identities dissolve into the supreme, timeless reality that is Krishna’s own nature.
The phrase \"kalpa‑kṣaye\" denotes the termination of a kalpa, a period often described as a "day of Brahma" lasting billions of human years. With the cessation of this vast epoch, the material world undergoes a process of dissolution (pralaya). Yet, this is not the final state. Krishna assures Arjuna that \"punaḥ\" – again – He will re‑manifest everything. At the dawn of the next kalpa (\"kalpa‑ādau\"), Krishna, as the supreme creator (\"visṛjāmi aham\"), initiates the origination of the universe, giving rise to the same countless entities, now renewed in the ongoing play of creation.
This cyclic view underscores two profound theological points. First, it affirms the impermanence of the material world: everything that appears is temporary and bound to the rhythms of cosmic time. Second, it highlights the supreme sovereignty of the Divine. While the universe appears to operate on its own laws, its beginning and end are always orchestrated by Krishna Himself. The verse thus reassures the seeker that every soul, no matter how entangled in worldly duties, ultimately returns to the divine source, only to be recreated when Divine will decrees.
For spiritual aspirants, this verse offers both humility and hope. Recognizing that we are part of a larger, rhythmic process can diminish ego‑driven attachment to transient achievements. Simultaneously, understanding that the Divine actively recreates all existence instills confidence that the ultimate purpose of life is reunion with the Divine, a reunion that is both inevitable and lovingly ordained. The verse, therefore, serves as a reminder that the cosmic dance of creation and dissolution is continuously guided by Krishna’s consciousness, and every being is an integral note in this eternal symphony.
