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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

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Soul & knowledgeChapter 13 · Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness

13.33 13.35

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 13.34

Seeing rightly the body, soul and the Supreme

Jīva · The soul

यथा प्रकाशयत्येक: कृत्स्‍नं लोकमिमं रवि: ।

क्षेत्रं क्षेत्री तथा कृत्स्‍नं प्रकाशयति भारत ॥ ३४ ॥

yathā prakāśayaty ekaḥ

kṛtsnaṁ lokam imaṁ raviḥ

kṣetraṁ kṣetrī tathā kṛtsnaṁ

prakāśayati bhārata

Translation

O son of Bharata, as the sun alone illuminates all this universe, so does the living entity, one within the body, illuminate the entire body by consciousness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

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

3 study points

The Soul and Consciousness

1
As one sun lights the universe, the soul lights the whole body with consciousness.
2
Prabhupāda explains that consciousness proves the soul’s presence; it is not produced by matter.
3
The individual soul is conscious of one body, but the Supersoul, the soul’s friend, is conscious of all bodies.

Key points from the purport

2nd Analogy — As the sun alone illuminates all this universe, similarly the living entity illuminates the entire body by consciousness

Consciousness is the proof of presence of soul — e.g. Sunshine is the proof of sun

Consciousness is not a product of a combination of matter – Because

When soul leaves there is no more consciousness

Difference between “Supreme consciousness” and “individual consciousness”

Living entity is only conscious of one body, although he is qualitative one with the Supreme

Supersoul is conscious of all bodies

Jnana-Chakshu: The Vision Of Knowledge

Those who see the distinction between the body, its owner and the Supersoul, and who recognize the process of liberation, can attain the Supreme goal (13.35)

Chapter 13, section V: Jnana-Chakshu: The Vision Of Knowledge