Chapter 15, Verse 7
ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूत: सनातन: | मन:षष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति ॥7॥
mamaivāṁśho jīva-loke jīva-bhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ | manaḥ-ṣhaṣhṭhānīndriyāṇi prakṛiti-sthāni karṣhati ||
"An eternal fragmental part of Me becomes the embodied soul in the world of the living. Being situated in material nature, it struggles with the six senses, which include the mind."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 15.7 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 15.7 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Lord Krishna declares that every soul (Jiva) is an eternal 'Amsha' (fragment/part) of His divine self. Unlike a piece of bread broken from a loaf, this part is eternal and indivisible in essence, yet appears distinct in the material world. There are two types of expansions: 'Swansha' (direct avatars) and 'Vibhinnansha' (individual souls). The Jiva in the material world is 'Nitya-Baddha' (eternally conditioned), meaning it has been turned away from God since time immemorial. The 'struggle' mentioned (Karshati) refers to the soul being pulled by the five senses and the mind (the sixth sense), all of which are rooted in 'Prakriti' (material energy). Liberation involves realizing this divine connection and transcending the pull of the senses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 15.7?
An eternal fragmental part of Me becomes the embodied soul in the world of the living. Being situated in material nature, it struggles with the six senses, which include the mind.