apareyam itas tvanyāṁ prakṛitiṁ viddhi me parām
jīva-bhūtāṁ mahā-bāho yayedaṁ dhāryate jagat
aparā — inferior;
iyam — this;
itaḥ — besides this;
tu — but;
anyām — another;
prakṛitim — energy;
viddhi — know;
me — my;
parām — superior;
jīva-bhūtām — living beings;
mahā-bāho — mighty-armed one;
yayā — by whom;
idam — this;
dhāryate — the basis;
jagat — the material world
In this verse, Krishna is explaining to Arjuna that there are two kinds of energies or natures. First, he talks about the 'inferior nature,' which includes all the physical things around us – like earth, water, fire, air, and even our thoughts and feelings. These are considered 'inferior' because they are temporary and can change or be destroyed.
Now, there is a second kind of energy, which Krishna calls 'superior energy.' This superior energy is made up of living beings, like us, who are in the world but are not just the body or the material things we see. Instead, we have a deeper spiritual essence that connects us to Krishna. Though we are living in a material world, which can be tough and challenging, we are part of this higher or superior energy that keeps everything alive and working.
Krishna explains that all living beings are part of his superior energy. While the material world operates based on the inferior energy, it cannot function on its own. The actions and efforts of living beings are what actually allow the universe to keep running smoothly. For example, when we eat, work, care for others, or even think and create, we are using our superior energy to interact with the inferior energy.
Krishna emphasizes that, even though living beings are a part of his superior energy, they do not have full independence. They are always under his guidance and control, similar to how a conductor leads an orchestra. No matter how skilled a musician is, they still play under the maestro's direction. In this way, Krishna is the ultimate controller, while we, the living entities, are under his control.
This verse also highlights the difference between living beings and Krishna himself. While living beings share an essence with Krishna, they do not have the same power or abilities that he has. An analogy for this could be that while the sunlight and the sun are connected, the sunlight does not have the same influence as the sun itself.
When living entities forget about their true spiritual nature and get caught up in the material world, they create a false self-image. This false ego leads us to believe that we are just our bodies, and that the things we own belong to us. This confusion causes suffering because it makes us cling to temporary things and misunderstand our true purpose.
However, when someone becomes aware of their real nature and frees themselves from these false beliefs, they achieve what is called mukti or liberation. This means they realize that they are more than just their material existence and connect deeply with Krishna. They see that their true identity is as part of this superior energy and that their real fulfillment comes from understanding their connection to Krishna.
In summary, Krishna is teaching that we, as living beings, are not just a part of the material world; we are something much more valuable and powerful—the superior energy that supports and sustains all that exists. When we recognize this, we can break free from material illusions and live in harmony with our true self.