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

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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 ›
Nature & guṇasChapter 13 · Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness
13.2113.23

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 13.22

Prakṛti, puruṣa and conditioning

Jīva · The soul

पुरुष: प्रकृतिस्थो हि भुङ्क्ते प्रकृतिजान्गुणान् ।

कारणं गुणसङ्गोऽस्य सदसद्योनिजन्मसु ॥ २२ ॥

puruṣaḥ prakṛti-stho hi

bhuṅkte prakṛti-jān guṇān

kāraṇaṁ guṇa-saṅgo ’sya

sad-asad-yoni-janmasu

Translation

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 among various species.

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

Rising Above Material Nature

  1. 1

    Through association with material nature’s three modes, the living being experiences good and evil in different species.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that material attachment leads to repeated changes of body. Only Kṛṣṇa consciousness frees one from this cycle.

  3. 3

    Hear from authoritative sources to gradually reduce the desire to control material nature and experience spiritual happiness.

Key points from the purport

‘Desire to enjoy’ forges the bond between purusha and prakriti

Living entity follows the way of life according to the three modes

Association with material nature leads to different good and evil among various species

a

This verse signifies “How a living entity transmigrates from one body to another”

Transmigration is compared to a change of dress (Bg. 2.22)

Change of dress is due to “attachment to material existence”

Desire to lord over put him in undesirable circumstances – Sometimes born as demigod or human, or beast or bird or bug etc

b

Binding factor to different bodies — Association with the three modes

In all cases, one thinks himself to be the “Master of his circumstances”, yet he is under material nature

c

How Krishna consciousness helps — “Helps to rise above the three modes and be become transcendental”

d

How this change can be effected — By “hearing from authoritative sources”

Best example – Arjuna hearing science of God from Krishna

How hearing works – If living entity submits to hearing process he loses his long cherished desire to dominate, gradually and proportionately he comes to enjoy spiritual happiness

Ref. Vedic mantra – “As one becomes learned in association with Supreme Personality of Godhead, he proportionately relishes eternal blissful life”

Further reading

Krishna Explains Prakrti, Purusa And Their Union

(Krishna addresses the 1st and 2nd questions)

Prakrti, Purusa (the “jiva” or ksetra-jna) and their union (13.20-13.22):

Material nature causes all material changes and effects, and

Living entity meets with good and bad according to the qualities he has acquired due to his association with material nature

Paramatma Purusa (ksetra-jna) (13.23): The Supersoul exists within all bodies as the overseer, the permitter, and the supreme proprietor.

Result: One who understands the prakrti, purusa and their interactions attains liberation from birth in material world

Other methods of obtaining liberation are jnana, astanga and karma (13.25 – 13.26)

Chapter 13, section IV: Krishna Explains Prakrti, Purusa And Their Union
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. puruṣaḥthe living entity
  2. prakṛti-sthaḥbeing situated in the material energy
  3. hicertainly
  4. bhuṅkteenjoys
  5. prakṛti-jānproduced by the material nature
  6. guṇānthe modes of nature
  7. kāraṇamthe cause
  8. guṇa-saṅgaḥthe association with the modes of nature
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

  • Rebirth & bondage

    Association with material modes leads to various births.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 13.22 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

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 2.22The eternal soul beyond bodily deathBG 8.16Mortality, cosmic cycles and eternal destinationBG 13.20Prakṛti, puruṣa and conditioningBG 13.21Prakṛti, puruṣa and conditioning
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