Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 61

English Translation

O Arjuna, the Lord resides in the region of the heart of all creatures, revolving through Maya all the creatures (as though) mounted on a machine!

Detailed Commentary

Īśvara is the ruler and regulator of all beings. With His power, He rotates those who have identified the body as 'I' and 'mine'. Just as when we are riding a vehicle, we move according to the vehicle, but when we alight, our will is independent. Similarly, as long as an individual associates the body with 'I' and 'my-ness', Īśvara operates him according to his nature (svabhāva), and he continues to revolve in the cycle of birth and death. It is due to the connection of 'I' and 'my-ness' with the body that attachment (rāga) and aversion (dveṣa) arise, which in turn pollutes the nature (svabhāva). A polluted nature makes an individual subservient to Prakṛti. But when he completely severs his connection with the body and his nature becomes pure, the subservience to Prakṛti ceases. In such a state, Īśvara's Māyā does not dominate him. Now, a doubt might arise on this subject: if Īśvara alone causes everything, then we have no freedom. We become subservient to Īśvara like machines. The solution to this is that just as continuously running machines powered by electricity perform different functions with the same electricity, similarly, a being's inspiration and actions are determined by his nature. Those with a good nature will perform good actions, and those with a bad nature will perform bad actions. Therefore, Īśvara's contribution is not in good or bad actions; it is the result of an individual's nature. Just as electricity functions according to the nature of the machine, so too does Īśvara operate a being according to his nature. The power and freedom to improve one's nature belong to humanity. This is its special privilege. Therefore, it has the full right to improve its own nature. However, non-human beings do not have the capacity to improve their nature. Īśvara resides in the heart of all beings. Similarly, in the third chapter, it is stated that Brahman resides in Yajña. The seeker's mistake is that even while chanting bhajans and kīrtans, he thinks that God is far away. But God is in everyone, and also resides in our hearts. Therefore, one should perform bhajans and meditation while considering God to be present in one's mind. If we recognize the Supreme Self (Paramātmā) within ourselves, then we and Paramātmā are not separate; the experience of difference arises from identifying with the ego (ahaṅkāra). Just as the water of the Gaṅgā remains pure even during floods, similarly, when an individual abandons ego and unites with Paramātmā, all his flaws are eradicated. Now, Bhagavan is explaining how the subservience of beings, who are like machines (yantrārūḍha), can be overcome.