Bhagavad Gita 4.6

 

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 6 – Divine Incarnation of the Supreme Lord

Sanskrit Verse:

अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् |
प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया || ६ ||

Transliteration:

Ajo’pi sannavyayātmā bhūtānāmīśvaro’pi san |
Prakṛitiṁ svāmadhiṣṭhāya sambhavāmyātma-māyayā || 6 ||

Translation:

Although I am unborn and My transcendental body never deteriorates, and although I am the Lord of all living entities, I still appear in this world by My own divine power (ātma-māyā).

" यद्यपि मैं अजन्मा हूँ, मेरा दिव्य शरीर कभी नष्ट नहीं होता, तथा यद्यपि मैं समस्त जीवों का स्वामी हूँ, फिर भी मैं अपनी दिव्य शक्ति (आत्म-माया) से इस संसार में प्रकट होता हूँ। "

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Explanation of the Verse:

This verse is a profound declaration by Lord Krishna regarding His divine nature and His incarnations in the world. It clarifies the eternal, unchanging, and all-powerful nature of the Supreme Being while explaining how He chooses to manifest in the material world.

1. Unborn and Eternal (Ajo’pi Sannavyayātmā):

Krishna affirms that, unlike ordinary beings who undergo birth and death due to karma, He is Aja (unborn) and Avyayātmā (imperishable). His divine form never decays or undergoes material changes.

2. The Supreme Controller (Bhūtānām Īśvaraḥ):

Although Krishna takes a physical form, He remains the Supreme Lord, controlling the entire universe. His incarnation is not bound by the laws of karma or material nature.

3. Appearance by Divine Energy (Ātma-Māyayā Sambhavāmi):

Unlike ordinary beings who are born due to past karma, Krishna manifests by His own will (ātma-māyā). His birth and actions are divine, unlike human births that are dictated by material laws.

4. The Purpose of His Incarnation:

This verse serves as a foundation for the next verse (4.7), where Krishna explains that He incarnates to protect the righteous and destroy evil whenever dharma declines.

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Spiritual Significance:

• Transcendental Birth: Krishna’s birth is not a result of karma but a divine act for the benefit of humanity.
• Divine Control: Even while appearing in human form, He remains the absolute controller of all living beings.
• Self-Willed Manifestation: Unlike conditioned souls, Krishna does not take birth due to past actions but out of compassion for restoring dharma.

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Conclusion:

Bhagavad Gita 4.6 highlights the divine and transcendental nature of Krishna’s incarnations. Unlike humans, who are bound by material laws, Krishna appears in the world out of His own will and divine energy to uphold righteousness. Understanding this helps devotees develop faith in His divine plan and recognize that His presence in the world is for guiding humanity toward liberation.