प्रकृतिं स्वामवष्टभ्य विसृजामि पुनः पुनः। भूतग्राममिमं कृत्स्नमवशं प्रकृतेर्वशात्।।9.8।।
prakṛtiṁ svāmavaṣṭabhya visṛjāmi punaḥ punaḥ bhūtagrāmamimaṁ kṛtsnam avaśaṁ prakṛteḥvaśāt
Translation
Taking hold of My own nature I send forth again and again this entire host of beings, which is powerless under the control of My nature.
Word Meanings
prakṛtiḥ — the material nature; svām — My personal Self; avaṣṭabhya — entering into; visṛjāmi — I create; punaḥ punaḥ — again and again; bhūta‑grāmam — all the cosmic manifestations; imam — these; kṛtsnam — in total; avaśam — automatically; prakṛteḥ — of the force of nature; vaśāt — under obligation
Understanding the Verse
In this verse Krishna reveals the supreme cosmic process whereby the divine personality, "My" (svām), continuously creates the material world (prakṛti). By "entering into" (avaṣṭabhya) His own nature, He acts as the ultimate source and sustainer of all existence. The phrase "again and again" (punaḥ punaḥ) emphasizes the endless, cyclic nature of creation; the universe is not a one‑time event but a perpetual outflow of divine energy. This perpetual outpouring ensures that every living entity, every "bhūta‑grāmam" (cosmic manifestation), is perpetually dependent on the divine source.
The verse also underscores the concept of "avaśa" – the automatic subjection of all beings to the governing power of nature (prakṛteḥ). Once created, every creature, from the smallest insect to the highest celestial being, moves under the laws and tendencies of material nature. This deterministic aspect does not diminish the role of free will but places it within the broader framework of divine orchestration. The beings are said to be "powerless" (avaśa) only when considered apart from the consciousness that animates them; with higher awareness, they can align themselves with the divine will.
Krishna’s declaration serves a dual purpose: it reassures Arjuna that the universe operates according to a divine, orderly plan, and it invites the seeker to recognize the underlying unity behind all diversity. By understanding that everything emanates from the same supreme source, the aspirant can cultivate humility and devotion, seeing all forms as expressions of the same divine reality. This perspective transforms the perceived chaos of material existence into an ordered, purposeful expression of divine love.
The phrase "my own nature" (svām) is significant because it distinguishes the personal aspect of the divine (Krishna) from the impersonal aspect (prakṛti). While prakṛti represents the material field, svām denotes the conscious, intentional act of the divine personality. This distinction helps resolve theological questions about how the personal God can be both the creator and the sustainer of the impersonal material world. By entering His own nature, Krishna bridges the gap between the subjective and the objective, allowing the devotee to relate personally to the cosmic process.
For the spiritual practitioner, this verse offers a profound invitation to surrender. Recognizing that all experiences arise from the divine nature, one can cultivate a sense of trust and relinquish anxiety about the ever‑changing material circumstances. By aligning one's consciousness with the divine will, the seeker transcends the feeling of powerlessness and participates consciously in the divine play (lila) of creation, preservation, and dissolution.
