Shloka 42
मद्भयाद्वाति वातोऽयं सूर्यस्तपति मद्भयात् । वर्षतीन्द्रो दहत्यग्निर्मृत्युश्चरति मद्भयात् ॥ ४२ ॥
mad-bhayād vāti vāto ’yaṁ sūryas tapati mad-bhayāt varṣatīndro dahaty agnir mṛtyuś carati mad-bhayāt
Out of fear of Me the wind blows; out of fear of Me the sun blazes; out of fear of Me Indra sends the rains. Out of fear of Me fire burns, and out of fear of Me death roams about, performing its appointed task.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, says in Bhagavad-gītā that the natural laws being enacted are correct in all activities because of His superintendence. No one should think that nature is working automatically, without superintendence. The Vedic literature says that the clouds are controlled by the demigod Indra, heat is distributed by the sun-god, the soothing moonlight is distributed by Candra, and the air is blowing under the arrangement of the demigod Vāyu. But above all these demigods, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the chief living entity. Nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām ( Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13). The demigods are also ordinary living entities, but due to their faithfulness — their devotional service attitude — they have been promoted to such posts. These different demigods, or directors, such as Candra, Varuṇa and Vāyu, are called adhikārī-devatā. The demigods are departmental heads. The government of the Supreme Lord consists not only of one planet or two or three; there are millions of planets and millions of universes. The Supreme Personality of Godhead has a huge government, and He requires assistants. The demigods are considered His bodily limbs. These are the descriptions of Vedic literature. Under these circumstances, the sun-god, the moon-god, the fire-god and the air-god are working under the direction of the Supreme Lord. It is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā, mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram. The natural laws are being conducted under His superintendence. Because He is in the background, everything is being performed punctually and regularly.
FAQs
This verse states that wind, sun, rain (Indra), fire, and even death function out of awe and obedience to the Supreme Lord—showing His absolute sovereignty over cosmic law.
Kapiladeva teaches Devahuti that the Lord is the ultimate controller; recognizing His supremacy strengthens devotion and removes the illusion that material nature acts independently.
Seeing a higher order behind life’s forces cultivates humility, steadiness during change, and deeper bhakti—shifting one from anxiety to trust in divine governance.