अनेजदेकं मनसो जवीयो नैनद्देवा आप्नुवन्पूर्वमर्षत्।
तद्धावतोऽन्यानत्येत तिष्ठत्तस्मिन्नपो मातरिश्वा दधाति॥ 4॥

Isha Upanishad Verse 04

anejadekaṃ manaso javīyo nainaddevā āpnuvan pūrvamaṛṣat |
taddhāvato’nyānatyeti tiṣṭhattasmin napo mātariśvā dadhāti || 4 ||

Those who live without self-awareness and waste their lives, go to dark ignorant states after death.

Translation of the words:

• अनेजत् – unmoving, still
• एकं – one, whole
• मनसः जवीयः – swifter than the mind
• नैनद्देवा आप्नुवन् – senses cannot reach it
• पूर्वम् अर्षत् – it is already ahead
• तत् धावतः अन्यान् अत्‍येति – though everything runs, it surpasses them
• तिष्ठत् – it remains still
• तस्मिन् अपः मातरिश्वा दधाति – in it, the cosmic energy (air) supports all activity
• मातरिश्वा – vital force or wind (Vāyu). “that which moves in the mother (atmosphere/space)”.So, Mātariśvā is the life-breath or air that moves in space and sustains all beings. Brahm is the foundation upon which even the vital breath and energies of life function.

Interpretation:

This verse describes the mysterious nature of the Brahm

• On one side, it is absolutely still and unchanging.
• On the other, it is faster than the mind and beyond the reach of our senses.
• Even while appearing still, it is the very power that makes all life and movement possible—like the invisible air that sustains us.

In simple words: Brahm is both the calm center and the unseen force behind all activity.

Application in Daily Life:

Find calm in chaos: When life feels too fast, remember that there is a still, steady presence within you. Connecting with it through silence or meditation brings peace.

See beyond the senses: What we see, hear, or touch is not the whole truth. Real strength comes from the inner Self, which is beyond physical senses.

Trust the unseen support: Just as air keeps us alive though invisible, the Self supports and guides our journey, even if we don’t always notice it.

Conclusion:

Isha Upanishad Verse 4 teaches us that the Brahm is both unmoving and dynamic—still at the core, yet sustaining all movement. When we tune into that deeper Self, we discover peace, clarity, and trust in life’s flow.