prakṛitiṁ puruṣhaṁ chaiva viddhy anādī ubhāv api
vikārānśh cha guṇānśh chaiva viddhi prakṛiti-sambhavān
prakṛitim — material nature;
puruṣham — the individual souls;
cha — and;
eva — indeed;
viddhi — know;
anādī — beginningless;
ubhau — both;
api — and;
vikārān — transformations (of the body);
cha — also;
guṇān — the three modes of nature;
cha — and;
eva — indeed;
viddhi — know;
prakṛiti — material energy;
sambhavān — produced by
In this verse, we learn that both the material world around us and the souls living in it have no beginning. This means that they have always existed in some form and will continue to exist. When we talk about material nature, we refer to everything physical and tangible—the earth, plants, animals, and our own bodies. On the other hand, the living entities are the souls, like you and me, that experience life through these bodies.
The verse also points out that the changes we see in nature and the different qualities of things, such as being good or bad, are all part of material nature. For instance, when we grow older, our body changes; this is a transformation based on natural processes. Similarly, the moods and behaviors we exhibit—happiness, sadness, anger—are influenced by the natural qualities around us (like joy, stability, or tumult of the environment).
The core message of this verse emphasizes the relationship between our bodies and our souls. The body is like a vehicle that allows the soul to experience the world. The individual soul (or 'puruṣha') is what we typically think of as 'me' or 'myself'—the one who feels, thinks, and acts. In addition, there is also the Supersoul, which can be thought of as a greater presence in all beings, the part that connects all individual souls to a larger reality.
Understanding these concepts is important because it helps us see that our individual experiences are influenced by something much greater than ourselves. It's like realizing that while you're driving your car (your body), there are many roads and environments (material nature) that affect how your journey goes.
So, in simple terms, everything you experience in life—your body, your thoughts, and even the environment—is intricately linked and part of a vast, beginningless cycle. Recognizing this can bring a sense of peace and understanding about where we fit into the bigger picture of life.