Chapter 18, Verse 61
ईश्वर: सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति | भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया ॥61॥
īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṃ hṛd-deśe ’rjuna tiṣṭhati | bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā ||
"The Supreme Lord dwells in the hearts of all living beings, O Arjuna. According to their karma, He directs the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 18.61 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 18.61 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
This pivotal verse explains the relationship between the Individual Soul (Jiva), the Supreme Lord (Paramatma), and Material Nature (Maya). The body is described as a 'Yantra' (machine) driven by material energy. While the soul thinks it is the doer, it is actually the Lord within the heart who facilitates the results of past karmas by 'revolving' the beings through various situations. True wisdom lies in recognizing this inner presence and surrendering the ego to the 'Operator' of the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 18.61?
The Supreme Lord dwells in the hearts of all living beings, O Arjuna. According to their karma, He directs the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.