Shloka 9
कर्मणामी भान्ति देवा: परत्र कर्मणैवेह प्लवते मातरिश्वा । अहोरात्रे विदधत् कर्मणैव अतनन््द्रितो नित्यमुदेति सूर्य:,ये देवता कर्मसे ही स्वर्गलोकमें प्रकाशित होते हैं। वायुदेव कर्मको अपनाकर ही सम्पूर्ण जगत्में विचरण करते हैं तथा सूर्यदेव आलस्य छोड़कर कर्म-द्वारा ही दिन-रातका विभाग करते हुए प्रतिदिन उदित होते हैं
karmaṇāmī bhānti devāḥ paratra karmaṇaiveha plavate mātariśvā | ahorātre vidadhat karmaṇaiva atandrito nityam udeti sūryaḥ ||
Vāyu said: “By their works the gods shine in the world beyond. Here too, Mātariśvan (the Wind) moves throughout the whole world by taking refuge in action; and the Sun, ever free from sloth, rises each day, dividing day and night through action alone.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that excellence and even divine radiance are grounded in karma—steadfast, disciplined action. The gods are said to shine in the hereafter through their deeds, and natural deities like Wind and Sun model tireless duty: movement, order, and regularity arise from work, not from idleness.
Vāyu speaks as an authority figure, pointing to himself (as Mātariśvan) and to Sūrya as examples. He argues that the cosmos functions through continuous effort—Wind traverses the world and the Sun rises daily to regulate day and night—thereby urging the listener toward diligent performance of one’s duty.