Bhagvad Gita: 20 Life-Changing – God Dwells in the Heart of All – 18/20
🌟 Shloka 18 of 20 – God Dwells in the Heart of All
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Shloka 61 – Deep Dive
“The Lord resides in the heart, turning the wheel of life…”
📜 Sanskrit Verse
ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां
हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति।
भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि
यन्त्रारूढानि मायया॥
🔤 Transliteration
īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
hṛd-deśe ‘rjuna tiṣṭhati
bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni
yantrārūḍhāni māyayā
🌍 English Translation
The Supreme Lord dwells in the hearts of all beings, O Arjuna,
causing them to revolve, as if mounted on a machine,
by the illusion of māyā.
🧭 Context in the Gita
This profound verse is part of Krishna’s concluding teachings in Chapter 18, where He summarises the essence of the entire Gita.
Here, He reveals that Ishvara (God) is not distant or limited — He is seated within the heart of every being, orchestrating life through māyā (divine illusion).
🔍 Line-by-Line Explanation
🔹 ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां
“The Lord of all beings…”
God is not partial. His presence permeates every creature, from a blade of grass to a saint.
🔹 हृद्देशे तिष्ठति
“Dwells in the heart…”
God doesn’t reside only in temples or scriptures — He lives in your heart, as your deepest Self.
🔹 भ्रामयन् सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि
“Makes all beings revolve like machines…”
We’re like wheels spinning on a hub. Our karmas and tendencies move us, but it is divine will that enables the motion.
🔹 मायया
“Through māyā…”
Māyā is the cosmic illusion — it hides the truth and creates the play of separation, roles, desires, and drama.
🧠 Modern Life Applications
❤️ Inner Connection
- You are never alone. The divine dwells within, closer than your breath.
This transforms prayer into intimacy, not formality.
🌀 In Confusion or Crisis
- When life feels like it’s spinning, remember:
There is a divine intelligence behind every turn. Trust it.
🕊️ Spiritual Growth
- The purpose of sadhana (spiritual practice) is not to bring God from outside —
It is to realize the God already within.
✨ Real-Life Analogy
Picture a puppet show. The puppets dance, fight, fall — but it’s the invisible hand that moves them.
Likewise, we move in the world — but the divine hand guides all, through the mechanism of karma, desire, and destiny.
📿 Daily Practice Tip (Layman-Friendly)
✅ Every morning, place your right hand over your heart and say softly:
“God lives here — I am guided from within.”
This single reminder transforms your day into a sacred offering.
🪔 Takeaway Affirmation
🎵 O Lord within, so silent, near,
You steer my life through love, not fear.
Though I may fall or lose my way,
Your hand within does never sway. 🎵