Meaning
Supreme God Krishna spoke
Brahm is the Imperishable Supreme Reality; the nature of one's spirit is spirituality (Adhyātma); karma, or action, is the force that drives the creation and expansion of the universe. (8:3)
Sanskrit
श्रीभगवान् उवाच
अक्षरं ब्रह्म परमं स्वभावोऽध्यात्ममुच्यते ।
भूतभावोद्भवकरो विसर्गः कर्मसंज्ञितः॥
Word-by-word
अक्षरम् ब्रह्म परमम्; स्व-भावः अधि-आत्मम् उच्यते;
भूत-भाव:-उद्-भव-करः वि-सर्गः कर्म-सञ्ज्ञितः।
Commentary
This verse should be read and understood in conjunction with verse 9:9, as it sheds light on the cosmic-level Karma undertaken by God Himself. At a miniature level, in the context of humans, it would have a similar connotation, as humans also continually create and expand situations and objects. The term “Adhi” in these composite words, such as “Adhi-bhuta,” “Adhi-daiva,” “Adhi-yajna,” and “Adhi-ātma,” implies ownership and conveys the idea of “the Master or Lord."^1
Footnotes