ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति ।
भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया ॥
भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे अर्जुन ईश्वर सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंके हृदयमें रहता है और अपनी मायासे शरीररूपी यन्त्रपर आरूढ़ हुए सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंको उनके स्वभावके अनुसार भ्रमण कराता रहता है ॥
English
O Arjuna, the Lord abides in the heart of all beings and, by His maya, causes all beings mounted on a body-machine to revolve according to their nature.
What this verse means
The divine lives in every being’s heart and moves all beings through maya, as if they were riding a body-machine and turning according to their nature.
Context & commentary
Krishna is still answering Arjuna’s refusal to fight. After saying Arjuna’s nature will drive him, he now explains the deeper force behind all movement: the divine within every being, and the veil of maya that makes bodies seem self-directed. This prepares Arjuna to surrender.
Why this verse still matters
You keep replaying the same argument in your head, certain you are choosing freely, yet your fears and habits keep steering you back. This verse points to the deeper forces already moving the machine.
The takeaway
You are not as in control as you think, and that can be deeply humbling.
Word-by-word translation
ईश्वरः (the Lord) / सर्वभूतानाम् (of all beings) / हृद्देशे (in the heart-place) / अर्जुन (Arjuna) / तिष्ठति (dwells) / भ्रामयन् (causing to revolve) / सर्वभूतानि (all beings) / यन्त्रारूढानि (mounted on a machine) / मायया (by maya)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation, which contains 78 verses.
Explore related themes: surrender (23 verses)