Chapter 4, Verse 6
अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् | प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ॥6॥
ajo 'pi sann avyayātmā bhūtānām īśvaro 'pi san | prakṛtiṁ svām adhiṣṭhāya sambhavāmy ātma-māyayā ||
"Though I am birthless, undecaying by nature, and the Lord of beings, (still) by subjugating My Prakriti, I take birth by means of My own Maya."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 4.6 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 4.6 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
This verse addresses the apparent paradox of the Divine Incarnation. Shri Krishna explains that unlike ordinary beings who are forced into bodies by the laws of Karma and material nature (Maya), He manifests by His own will. He is 'Aja' (unborn) and 'Avyayātmā' (imperishable), yet He 'descends' into the material realm. He does not become subject to material nature; rather, He stays 'Adhiṣṭhāya' (situated as the master) over His nature. His form is not a product of the three gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) but is a manifestation of His 'Atma-maya' or 'Yogmaya'—His divine internal potency. This clarifies that God's personal form is as transcendental and eternal as His formless aspect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 4.6?
Though I am birthless, undecaying by nature, and the Lord of beings, (still) by subjugating My Prakriti, I take birth by means of My own Maya.