Bhagavad Gita BG 4.6
Chapter 4, Verse 6 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् । प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ॥
ajo 'pi sann avyayatma bhutanam isvaro 'pi san prakrtim svam adhisthaya sambhavamy atma-mayaya
Meaning
Though I am unborn, though My Self is imperishable, though I am the Lord of all beings — by presiding over My own nature (prakrti) I come into being through My own maya.
Understanding
Three paradoxes in one verse: aja (unborn) yet appears to be born; avyaya-atman (imperishable Self) yet appears to take a body; Isvara of all beings yet appears limited. The resolution: atma-maya — the Lord's own creative power. Unlike human birth which is driven by karma, Krishna's appearance is a conscious choice. Atma-maya means 'by My own power of Self-expression' — not delusion, but divine creative manifestation.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अजः | ajah | unborn, without birth |
| अव्ययात्मा | avyayatma | with imperishable Self |
| ईश्वरः | isvarah | Lord, master of all |
| प्रकृतिम् | prakrtim | nature, creative power |
| आत्ममायया | atma-mayaya | through His own divine power/maya |
| अपि | api | even / although (even though unborn) |
| सन् | san | being / while being (unborn and imperishable) |
| भूतानाम् | bhūtānām | of beings / of all creatures |
| स्वाम् | svām | My own / own (nature/prakrti) |
| अधिष्ठाय | adhiṣṭhāya | controlling / presiding over / taking charge of |
| सम्भवामि | sambhavāmi | I appear / I manifest / I come into being |