1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 13 · Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness · 35 verses

1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Krishna’s natureChapter 13 · Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness
13.1613.18

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 13.17

The supreme knower and all-pervading Supersoul

Īśvara · God

अविभक्तं च भूतेषु विभक्तमिव च स्थितम् ।

भूतभर्तृ च तज्ज्ञेयं ग्रसिष्णु प्रभविष्णु च ॥ १७ ॥

avibhaktaṁ ca bhūteṣu

vibhaktam iva ca sthitam

bhūta-bhartṛ ca taj jñeyaṁ

grasiṣṇu prabhaviṣṇu ca

Translation

Although the Supersoul appears to be divided among all beings, 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.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

One Supersoul in All

  1. 1

    The Supersoul appears divided among all beings but remains one. He maintains, devours, and develops all.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that the Lord is in every heart without dividing Himself, just as one sun appears in many places.

  3. 3

    Everything comes from the Lord, rests in His power, and returns to rest in Him after annihilation.

Key points from the purport

Supersoul is “Undivided”

Although Supersoul appears divided, but is situated as one

Although maintainer of all living entities, He devours and develops all

a

Examples in Vedic Literatures

Lord’s presence in everyone’s heart does not imply that He is divided

e.g. Analogy: Sun, if at meridian, is in one place but if we go 5000 miles in all directions; everyone experiences the sun’s presence on their head

Vedic literatures say: “One Vishnu” is present everywhere by His omnipotence

Vedic Hymns confirm Him as the ‘origin of all’ and ‘rest of all’

b

“As devouring all”

Explained in Chapter 11 – “I have come to devour all in the form of time”

Further reading

Krishna Explains The Object Of Knowledge

(Krishna addresses the 6th question)

The soul can know the Supersoul, the ultimate object of knowledge

Only devotees can understand - the field of activities (the body), process of knowledge and both the soul and Supersoul

Chapter 13, section III: Krishna Explains The Object Of Knowledge
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. avibhaktamwithout division
  2. caalso
  3. bhūteṣuin all living beings
  4. vibhaktamdivided
  5. ivaas if
  6. caalso
  7. sthitamsituated
  8. bhūta-bhartṛthe maintainer of all living entities
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhagavān, vibhūti.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 13.17 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to krishna’s nature?

Practice

Notice something excellent and see it as His opulence.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 13 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 13.13The supreme knower and all-pervading SupersoulBG 13.14The supreme knower and all-pervading SupersoulBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 11.51Composure returns in Krishna’s personal presence
Live this todayKnow the Two KnowersA practice from BG 13.3, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction