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Bhagwad Gita (English) | Chapter 13 | Verse 32

Chapter 13, Verse 32

Nature, the Enjoyer, and Consciousness

Those with the vision of eternity can see that the soul is transcendental, eternal, and beyond the modes of nature. Despite contact with the material body, O Arjuna, the soul neither does anything nor is entangled.

Verse

अनादित्वान्निर्गुणत्वात्परमात्मायमव्ययः।शरीरस्थोऽपि कौन्तेय न करोति न लिप्यते।।13.32।।


anāditvān nirguṇatvāt paramātmāyam avyayaḥ
śharīra-stho ’pi kaunteya na karoti na lipyate

Meaning of each word

anāditvāt — being without beginning;
nirguṇatvāt — being devoid of any material qualities;
parama — the Supreme;
ātmā — soul;
ayam — this;
avyayaḥ — imperishable;
śharīra-sthaḥ — dwelling in the body;
api — although;
kaunteya — Arjun, the the son of Kunti;
na — neither;
karoti — acts;
na — nor;
lipyate — is tainted

Interpretation

This verse teaches us an important idea about our true self, which is often called the soul. Let's break it down in simple terms:

1. **Understanding the Soul**: When we look at life, we often think that we are just our bodies. We see ourselves as being born, growing, aging, and eventually dying. This verse points out something different. It says that the soul, which is the true essence of who we are, doesn’t begin or end like our bodies do. Instead, it’s always there, eternal and unchanging. Imagine a drop of water that comes from the ocean; while it may dip down and rise again in different forms, the ocean exists forever. In the same way, our soul is like that eternal ocean.

2. **Nature of the Soul**: The verse also describes the soul as ‘transcendental,’ meaning it goes beyond material experiences. While our body may go through various states—like feeling happy or sad, or suffering from sickness—the soul itself remains untouched by those feelings. Think of a movie: no matter how dramatic or intense the story is, the film reel itself doesn’t change; it’s separate from what appears on screen. This shows us that our true self (the soul) doesn’t get affected by the happenings of the material world.

3. **Living in a Body**: The verse mentions that the soul lives in a body—just like a driver is inside a car. The car can go through bumps and turns, but that doesn’t change the driver. Similarly, while we have a body and go through life’s ups and downs, our soul remains unaffected. It doesn’t take action in the way the body does. This is a big shift in understanding: while we do things like working, enjoying, or facing stress, it’s actually the body that’s acting, not the soul.

4. **Freedom from Entanglement**: Here’s another beautiful idea: just because the soul is inside a body doesn’t mean it gets stuck or polluted by it. Imagine a lotus flower that grows in muddy water but stays clean and beautiful—that’s like the soul. It doesn’t get entangled in the actions or troubles of the body. This means that even though we face challenges and struggles, our true self can remain peaceful and clear, just like the lotus.

5. **Living with Awareness**: This verse encourages us to see beyond the physical and understand that our true identity is spiritual. When we have this awareness, we can shift our perspective on life. Instead of worrying so much about physical pains or losses, we can respond with a sense of calm, recognizing that we are, at our core, eternal beings.

In summary, this verse reminds us of the eternal nature of our soul and its separation from the material activities and challenges of life. It’s about realizing that despite being inside a body and facing life’s struggles, our true self remains untouched and serene, which brings a sense of peace and understanding of our existence.

Other Verses of Chapter 13
Verse 1
Arjuna said, "I wish to learn about Nature and the Spirit, the field and the knower of the field, knowledge and that which ought to be known, O Kesava."
Verse 2
The Blessed Lord said, "O Arjuna, this body is called the field; he who knows it is called the knower of the field by those who know them."
Verse 3
O scion of Bharat, you should understand that I am also the knower in all bodies, and to understand this body and its owner is called knowledge. That is My opinion.
Verse 4
Now please hear My brief description of this field of activity and how it is constituted, what its changes are, whence it is produced, who that knower of the field of activities is, and what his influences are.
Verse 5
That knowledge of the field of activities and of the knower of activities is described by various sages in various Vedic writings-especially in the Vedanta-sutra-and is presented with all reasoning as to cause and effect.
Verse 6
The great elements, egoism, intellect, and also the Unmanifested Nature, the ten senses, and one mind, and the five objects of the senses.
Verse 7
Desire, hatred, pleasure, pain, the body, intelligence, and willpower—these things have been briefly described as aspects of the field of our activities.
Verse 8
Humility, unpretentiousness, non-injury, forgiveness, uprightness, service to the teacher, purity, steadfastness, and self-control.
Verse 9
Indifference to the objects of the senses and also absence of egoism; perceiving the evil in birth, death, old age, sickness, and pain.
Verse 10
Non-attachment, non-identification of the Self with son, wife, home, and the rest, and constant even-mindedness in the face of the attainment of both desirable and undesirable.
Verse 11
Unswerving devotion to Me through the Yoga of non-separation, resorting to solitary places, and a distaste for the company of people.
Verse 12
Constancy in Self-knowledge, the perception of the end of true knowledge—this is declared to be knowledge, and what is opposed to it is ignorance.
Verse 13
I shall now explain the knowable, knowing which you will taste the eternal. This is beginningless, and it is subordinate to Me. It is called Brahman, the spirit, and it lies beyond the cause and effect of this material world.
Verse 14
Everywhere are His hands and legs, His eyes and faces, and He hears everything. In this way the Supersoul exists.
Verse 15
The Supersoul is the original source of all senses, yet He is without senses. He is unattached, although He is the maintainer of all living beings. He transcends the modes of nature, and at the same time He is the master of all modes of material nature.
Verse 16
The Supreme Truth exists both internally and externally, in the moving and nonmoving. He is beyond the power of the material senses to see or to know. Although far, far away, He is also near to all.
Verse 17
Although the Supersoul appears to be divided, He is never divided. He is situated as one. Although He is the maintainer of every living entity, it is to be understood that He devours and develops all.
Verse 18
He is the source of light in all luminous objects. He is beyond the darkness of matter and is unmanifested. He is knowledge, He is the object of knowledge, and He is the goal of knowledge. He is situated in everyone's heart.
Verse 19
Thus the field of activities [the body], knowledge, and the knowable have been summarily described by Me. Only My devotees can understand this thoroughly and thus attain to My nature.
Verse 20
Material nature and the living entities should be understood to be beginningless. Their transformations and the modes of matter are products of material nature.
Verse 21
Nature is said to be the cause of all material activities and effects, whereas the living entity is the cause of the various sufferings and enjoyments in this world.
Verse 22
The living entity in material nature thus follows the ways of life, enjoying the three modes of nature. This is due to his association with that material nature. Thus he meets with good and evil amongst various species.
Verse 23
Yet in this body there is another, a transcendental enjoyer who is the Lord, the supreme proprietor, who exists as the overseer and permitter, and who is known as the Supersoul.
Verse 24
One who understands this philosophy concerning material nature, the living entity and the interaction of the modes of nature is sure to attain liberation. He will not take birth here again, regardless of his present position.
Verse 25
That Supersoul is perceived by some through meditation, by some through the cultivation of knowledge, and by others through working without fruitive desire.
Verse 26
Again there are those who, although not conversant in spiritual knowledge, begin to worship the Supreme Person upon hearing about Him from others. Because of their tendency to hear from authorities, they also transcend the path of birth and death.
Verse 27
O chief of the Bharatas, whatever you see in existence, both moving and unmoving, is only the combination of the field of activities and the knower of the field.
Verse 28
One who sees the Supersoul accompanying the individual soul in all bodies and who understands that neither the soul nor the Supersoul is ever destroyed, actually sees.
Verse 29
One who sees the Supersoul in every living being and equal everywhere does not degrade himself by his mind. Thus he approaches the transcendental destination.
Verse 30
One who can see that all activities are performed by the body, which is created of material nature, and sees that the self does nothing, actually sees.
Verse 31
When a sensible man ceases to see different identities, which are due to different material bodies, he attains to the Brahman conception. Thus he sees that beings are expanded everywhere.
Verse 33
The sky, due to its subtle nature, does not mix with anything, although it is all-pervading. Similarly, the soul, situated in Brahman vision, does not mix with the body, though situated in that body.
Verse 34
O son of Bharata, as the sun alone illuminates all this universe, so does the living entity, one within the body, illuminate the entire body by consciousness.
Verse 35
One who knowingly sees this difference between the body and the owner of the body and can understand the process of liberation from this bondage, also attains to the supreme goal.
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