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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
13.2313.25

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 13.24

Prakṛti, puruṣa and conditioning

Jīva · The soul

य एवं वेत्ति पुरुषं प्रकृतिं च गुणै: सह ।

सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि न स भूयोऽभिजायते ॥ २४ ॥

ya evaṁ vetti puruṣaṁ

prakṛtiṁ ca guṇaiḥ saha

sarvathā vartamāno ’pi

na sa bhūyo ’bhijāyate

Translation

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.

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

Knowledge That Leads to Liberation

  1. 1

    One who understands material nature, the living being and the modes of nature will be liberated and not take birth here again, whatever their present position.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that understanding nature, the Supersoul, the individual soul and their relationship leads to eternal, blissful life in the spiritual world.

  3. 3

    Study Bhagavad-gītā with guidance from saintly persons and a spiritual master to understand your position and return to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport

Knowing the philosophy explained in Bg. 13.20 — 13.23 causes liberation – no more births

a

This verse indicates the result of knowledge — Knowledge of truly understanding the relationship between soul and Supersoul

Liberation and return to the spiritual world

b

The purpose of knowledge — To understand how the living entity has fallen into this material world in a precarious condition

c

Understand your position

Understand by personal endeavor in association with guru, sadhu and sastra

Revert to Krishna consciousness by understanding Bhagavad-gita as it is explained by the Supreme Personality of Godhead

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥanyone who
  2. evamthus
  3. vettiunderstands
  4. puruṣamthe living entity
  5. prakṛtimmaterial nature
  6. caand
  7. guṇaiḥthe modes of material nature
  8. sahawith
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 13.24 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

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 13.20Prakṛti, puruṣa and conditioningBG 13.21Prakṛti, puruṣa and conditioningBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā
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
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