The Bhagvad Gita - Chapter 13 - Mother Nature and the Soul

Arjuna asked Lord Srikrisna ‘ O Krishna, please tell me what is Prakriti and Purusha, the field of activity and the knower of the fields, knowledge and that which is to be known’. And Lord Srikrishna replied thus: The body, O Arjuna, is the field of activity. One who knows this field is called the knower of the field. Understanding the field and its knower is actual knowledge. I’m the knower of the field.

The great elements, egoism, intellect, the ten senses and the mind, the five sense objects – desire, hatred, happiness, sorrow, the consciousness and conviction in-brief are called the field. Humility, non-violence, patience, simplicity, cleanliness, service to the guru, unswerving devotion to me, detachment, keeping things in perspective is called knowledge. Contrary to this, everything else is ignorance.

I shall explain to you that by which you can drink the nectar of immortality. Brahman which is ruled by me, is beyond cause and effect. Everywhere is his hands, legs, eyes, faces and ears. He is all pervasive. He is the source of all senses all though he is free from the senses. He is unattached and inside and outside all beings. He is moving and stationary. He is far, yet he is near. He is the creator and destroyer of all.

He is knowledge, the object of knowledge and the goal of knowledge. He is situated in everyone’s heart.  The devotee who understands this will undoubtedly attain me.  Prakriti (material nature) and Purusha (living entities) are without beginning. Prakriti is responsible for cause and effect, while Purusha is the enjoyer of this. The Purusha experiences qualities born of material nature. Associating with these qualities leads one to good and evil.

The Purusha is the Supersoul. One who understands material nature (Prakriti), the living entity (Purusha) and the interaction of the modes of nature will be liberated from birth and death. Some perceive the Self by meditation, some through knowledge and some  through action. They all transcend death. One who sees the Supersoul everywhere is liberated. One who sees that actions are carried out by mother nature and not the soul, truly sees.  Like the sky that does not mix with anything, the soul does not mix with the body, though situated in it. The living entity (Purusha) illuminates the consciousness.  They who understand this will attain the Supreme goal.

Love and Peace

Guru30.