Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9, Verse 8

English Translation

Keeping My own prakrti under control, I project forth again and again the whole of this multitude of beings which are powerless owing to the influence of (their own) nature.

Detailed Commentary

'The entire multitude of beings, helpless, by the force of *Prakriti* (nature)' — Here, *Prakriti* refers to individual nature. During *Mahapralaya* (the great dissolution), all beings merge into their individual *Prakriti*, which then merges into collective *Prakriti*, and ultimately dissolves into the *Paramatma* (Supreme Self). When the time for creation (*Srishti*) arrives, the fruits of beings' *karma* are ready to be experienced. Due to this readiness, the Lord makes the resolve, '*Bahu syām prajāyeya*' (May I be many, may I propagate), which causes a stir in *Prakriti*. Just as churning curd produces butter and buttermilk, similarly, through the Lord's resolve, the three *Gunas* — *Sattva*, *Rajas*, *Tamas* — manifest in *Prakriti*. From these, realms like *Swarga* (heaven), *Mrityu* (mortal world), and *Patala* (netherworlds) are formed, and in them, beings are created according to their respective *Gunas*. The great creation (*Mahasarga*) is also described in the fourteenth chapter. There, the *Prakriti* of the *Paramatma* is referred to as '*Mahad Brahma*' (the Great Brahman), and the establishing of a special connection of beings with *Prakriti* based on their *Guna*, *karma*, and inherent nature (*swabhava*) is called *Bija-Sthapan* (sowing of seeds). At the time of *Mahapralaya*, these beings were merged in *Prakriti*, but they merged with their *sanskāras* (latent impressions/tendencies), and thus were not liberated. Had they relinquished the *Gunas*, they would have been eternally liberated in the *Paramatma*. By not relinquishing the *Gunas*, they take birth in different species (*yonis*). The reason for birth in various *yonis* is the helplessness (*paravashata*) of beings due to their individual *Prakriti*. This helplessness is described in the eighth chapter. In the third chapter, *avashata* (helplessness/unwillingness) refers to the helplessness after birth. This state exists in all three realms (*lokas*). The description of helplessness is given in the fourteenth chapter in the form of the three *Gunas*. 'Restraining My own *Prakriti*' — *Prakriti* is the ineffable power of the *Paramatma*. It can neither be called separate from the *Paramatma* nor entirely identical. The *Paramatma*, by embracing *Prakriti*, creates beings. In the creation of *Srishti*, *Prakriti* plays its part, not the Lord as a direct agent. This is not a weakness; rather, it is the Lord's absolute dominion over *Prakriti*. 'I create again and again' — The prefix '*vi*' indicates the creation of diverse types of beings. They have diverse *karma*, and therefore the Lord fashions different kinds of bodies. The Lord creates only those beings who are entangled in 'I' and 'mine' due to their individual *Prakriti*. Connection: Why does the Lord not become bound even while performing *karma*? The Lord will provide the answer in the next verse.