अधिभूतं क्षरो भावः पुरुषश्चाधिदैवतम् ।
अधियज्ञोऽहमेवात्र देहे देहभृतां वर ॥
अधियज्ञोऽहमेवात्र देहे देहभृतां वर ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे देहधारियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुन क्षरभाव अर्थात् नाशवान् पदार्थको अधिभूत कहते हैं, पुरुष अर्थात् हिरण्यगर्भ ब्रह्माजी अधिदैव हैं और इस देहमें अन्तर्यामीरूपसे मैं ही अधियज्ञ हूँ ॥
English
The perishable world is the lower realm; the cosmic person is the radiant being. I am the inner witness of sacrifice in this body, Arjuna.
What this verse means
The changing world is called the lower realm. The cosmic person is called the radiant being. In this body, Krishna says he himself is the inner witness of sacrifice.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna asks Krishna to explain the terms needed for dying with awareness. Krishna answers step by step: the changing world, the cosmic presiding being, and finally himself as the inner witness within every body. The teaching builds toward Krishna's guidance at the moment of death.
Why this verse still matters
You are trying to understand what really matters before a hard goodbye, a hospital room, or a final decision. The mind wants labels; the teaching points to the deeper order behind them.
The takeaway
What seems separate is ordered from within, and the deepest meaning of action is already present.
Word-by-word translation
अधिभूतं (the lower realm of embodied existence) / क्षरः (perishable) / भावः (state of being) / पुरुषः (cosmic person) / च (and) / अधिदैवतम् (the radiant being of the gods) / अधियज्ञः (inner witness of sacrifice) / अहम् (I) / एव (indeed) / अत्र (here) / देहे (in the body) / देहभृताम् (of embodied beings) / वर (O best)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga — The Imperishable Absolute, which contains 28 verses.
Explore related themes: akshara brahma (12 verses)