Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9, Verse 11

English Translation

Not knowing My supreme nature as the Lord of all beings, foolish people disregard Me who have taken a human body.

Detailed Commentary

9.11 Commentary -- Those who do not know My *Bhoota-Maheshwara* form do not comprehend My *Param Bhava*. It is by My power alone that *Prakriti* creates infinite universes and sustains all beings. I am the director and protector of *Prakriti* and all its functions. Without My will, nothing happens; not even a leaf stirs. I am the Lord of even the *Devatas* of the worlds, and I know everything. Such is My *Bhoota-Maheshwara* form. '*Param Bhava*' means that I am supreme and independent in My influence. Actions (*Karma*), suffering (*Dukha*), and impurities (*Vikaras*) have no effect on Me. I am beyond the perishable (*Kshara*) and even superior to the imperishable (*Akshara*), whom the Vedas and Shastras call *Purushottama*. Ignorant people (*Mudhas*) do not know this *Param Bhava* of Mine and consider Me an ordinary human being. '*Manushi Tanum Ashritam*' -- Considering Bhagavan as a mere human means that the foolish consider Me dependent on a body, like ordinary beings. But I am not like that. Bhagavan is not dependent on a body. He incarnates by His own will, such as Matsya, Kachchhapa, Varaha, etc. Therefore, there are no *Karma bandhanas* (bondages of action) upon Him, nor is He dependent on a body. The ignorant (*Mudhas*), not understanding the nature of My incarnation (*Avatara*), consider Me to be merely sheltering in a human body; hence, they cannot take refuge in Me. Bhagavan stated a similar point in the seventh chapter: that the ignorant do not know My unborn (*Aja*), imperishable (*Avinashi*) nature and consider Me an ordinary human. Because of this, they take refuge in other *Devatas*. '*Avajananti Mam Mudhah*' -- Such is My true essence (*Satyatatva*), under whose superintendence *Prakriti* gives birth to and destroys infinite universes. The ignorant (*Mudhas*) disregard Me and consider only perishable things to be real. They remain engaged in accumulating and enjoying such material objects. This is indeed disobeying Me. Connection -- Now, in the following verse, Bhagavan explains the consequence of disregarding Him.