Chapter 13, Verse 23
उपद्रष्टानुमन्ता च भर्ता भोक्ता महेश्वर: | परमात्मेति चाप्युक्तो देहेऽस्मिन्पुरुष: पर: ॥23॥
upadraṣṭānumantā ca bhartā bhoktā maheśvaraḥ | paramātmeti cāpyukto dehe ’smin puruṣaḥ paraḥ
"He who is the Witness, the Permitter, the Sustainer, the Experiencer, the great Lord, and who is also spoken of as the transcendental Self is the supreme Person in this body."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 13.23 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 13.23 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
In this verse, Lord Krishna defines the presence of the Paramātmā (Supreme Soul) within the human body, distinct from the Jīvātmā (individual soul). While the Jīvātmā is busy enjoying or suffering the fruits of karma, the Paramātmā acts as the 'Upadraṣṭā' (Silent Witness) and 'Anumantā' (Permitter). He is the 'Bhartā' (Sustainer) who maintains the existence of the being and the 'Maheśvaraḥ' (Supreme Controller). Unlike the individual soul which is bound by ignorance, this 'Puruṣaḥ Paraḥ' (Transcendental Person) remains untouched by the qualities of nature even while residing in the body.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 13.23?
He who is the Witness, the Permitter, the Sustainer, the Experiencer, the great Lord, and who is also spoken of as the transcendental Self is the supreme Person in this body.