Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga – Comprehending the Imperishable Reality: Verse 4
अधिभूतं क्षरो भाव: पुरुषश्चाधिदैवतम् ।
अधियज्ञोऽहमेवात्र देहे देहभृतां वर ॥
adhibhūtaṃ kṣaro bhāva:
puruṣaścādhidaivatam
adhiyajño’ham-evātra
dehe deha-bhṛtāṃ vara – 8.4
O best among the embodied (Arjuna), adhibhūta points to the ceaseless transformation of objective existence. Adhi-daiva is the puruṣa. And adhi-yajña is the ‘I’ the resident Self in the body.
Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga – Comprehending the Imperishable Reality - Verse 4
Ma Gurupriya
Existence is divided into subjective and objective. Of these, the objective, material one is adhi-bhūta. The adhi-daiva represents the super-human or Providential aspect displayed throughout. Material manifestation alone will not make creation. The whole creational display is the handiwork of the splendid cosmic intelligence, which is capable of designing and executing anything any time at will.
Adhi-bhūta and adhi-daiva are thus explained. What about adhi-yajña? In the whole of creation, only in the living beings we find the offering of materials like food, clothing, etc. are used by those to whom these are given. Living beings alone have hunger and its appeasement by food. Real adhi-yajña is thus the jeeva, the Soul, in the body.
It is for this reason that anna-dāna becomes so sublime, benevolent and rewarding. It is rated as superior to ritualistic Yajñas.
