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Chapter 15 · The Yoga of the Supreme Person · 20 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 ›
Soul & knowledgeChapter 15 · The Yoga of the Supreme Person
15.1015.12

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 15.11

The jīva as Krishna’s eternal fragmental part

Jīva · The soul

यतन्तो योगिनश्चैनं पश्यन्त्यात्मन्यवस्थितम् ।

यतन्तोऽप्यकृतात्मानो नैनं पश्यन्त्यचेतस: ॥ ११ ॥

yatanto yoginaś cainaṁ

paśyanty ātmany avasthitam

yatanto ’py akṛtātmāno

nainaṁ paśyanty acetasaḥ

Translation

The endeavoring transcendentalists who are situated in self-realization can see all this clearly. But those whose minds are not developed and who are not situated in self-realization cannot see what is taking place, though they may try.

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

Seeing Through Self-Realization

  1. 1

    Those established in self-realization can see clearly what is happening; those without it cannot, even if they try.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that bodily exercise alone cannot reveal the soul’s movement between bodies. Bhakti-yogīs engaged in pure devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can understand it.

  3. 3

    Seek self-realization through pure devotional service, rather than being satisfied only with a strong, healthy body.

Key points from the purport

Explains that those who are trained can see all this clearly because their minds are clarified by yoga practice and thus situated in self realisation

But those whose minds are not developed and who are not situated in self-realization cannot see what is taking place, though they may try to

a

Importance of the word “Yoginah”

So many yoga societies of modern day are blind to self-realization

They simply want gymnastic exercises (Physical health)

They are called “Yatanto ‘py akrtatmanah”

b

Bhakti yogis are the actual yogis

Have realized self, world and the Supreme Lord

Can see things as they are

Connected verses · 1

Texts 15.10 & 15.11

What is the cure for this ignorance? Krishna says knowledge. Those “whose eyes are trained in knowledge” by hearing and learning sastra can see. Lack of sastric learning brings about the following result explained in Text 15.11

Further reading

Transmigration

Goal should be to leave material world and return to spiritual world

All living entities are eternally part and parcel of Krishna, yet they struggle from body to body in search of pleasure

Transcendentalists can see this clearly, but the blind materialists cannot see this

Chapter 15, section II: Transmigration
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatantaḥendeavoring
  2. yoginaḥtranscendentalists
  3. caalso
  4. enamthis
  5. paśyantican see
  6. ātmaniin the self
  7. avasthitamsituated
  8. yatantaḥendeavoring
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: ātmā, jñāna.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 15.11 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to soul & knowledge?

Practice

Spend five minutes reflecting on what in you does not change.

5

The story behind it

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

All stories for chapter 15 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 15.7The living being belongs to KrishnaBG 15.8The jīva as Krishna’s eternal fragmental partBG 2.13The self endures bodily changeBG 4.34The humility of real inquiry
Live this todayDetachment Through Surrender to KṛṣṇaA practice from BG 15.3-4, close to this verse

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

  1. Learn
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  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