श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १४.४ — सर्वयोनिषु कौन्तेय — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १४.४ — सर्वयोनिषु कौन्तेय
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
सर्व
sarva
all
योनिषु
yoniṣhu
in all species of life, in all wombs
कौन्तेय
kaunteya
O son of Kunti (Arjuna)
मूर्तयः
mūrtayaḥ
forms, bodies
सम्भवन्ति
sambhavanti
are produced, come into being
याः
yāḥ
which
तासाम्
tāsām
of all of them
ब्रह्म महत्
brahma-mahat
the great material nature (Prakriti)
योनिः
yoniḥ
the womb
अहम्
aham
I
बीजप्रदः
bīja-pradaḥ
the seed-giving
पिता
pitā
father
Complete Translation
हे कौन्तेय ! समस्त योनियों में जितनी मूर्तियाँ (शरीर) उत्पन्न होती हैं, उन सबकी योनि अर्थात् गर्भ है महद्ब्रह्म और मैं बीज की स्थापना करने वाला पिता हूँ।।
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14, Verse 4
Author: Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva)
Period: Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)
The fourteenth chapter, the Yoga of the Division of the Three Gunas (Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga), explains how the three modes of nature bind the soul. Before describing them, Krishna establishes the origin of all beings, declaring that material nature is the universal womb and he is the seed-giving father — so that the entire diversity of life is understood as born from the union of his power and primordial nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main message of Bhagavad Gita 14.4?▼
Krishna declares that he is the seed-giving father of all beings, while the great material nature (Prakriti) is the womb from which every form in every species is born. The verse reveals God as the universal Father of all that lives.
What does 'brahma mahad yoni' (the great womb) mean here?▼
It refers to mahat-brahma, the primordial material nature (Prakriti) from which all forms emerge. Krishna calls it the universal womb, while he himself is the father who places the seed of consciousness — so creation arises from the union of spirit and matter.
Why does Krishna call himself the father of all beings?▼
To reveal the intimate truth that every living creature, in whatever species, originates from him. This both inspires reverence for all life as divine offspring and invites the devotee into a loving, personal relationship with the Lord as their own Father.
How can I use this verse in daily life?▼
Let it deepen your compassion: when you meet any living being, remember that it shares the same divine Father as you. Chanting this verse nurtures a sense of universal kinship and a tender, trusting relationship with God as the source and parent of all.
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