Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 13 · Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 13.20 प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव विद्ध्यनादी उभावपि
श्लोक 13.20
प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव विद्ध्यनादी उभावपि ।
विकारांश्च गुणांश्चैव विद्धि प्रकृतिसम्भवान् ॥
prakṛtiṃ puruṣaṃ caiva viddhyanādī ubhāvapi |
vikārāṃśca guṇāṃścaiva viddhi prakṛtisambhavān ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
प्रकृति और पुरुष, दोनों को अनादि जानो; और यह भी जानो कि सारे विकार और गुण प्रकृति से उत्पन्न होते हैं।
Meaning in English
Know that both Prakriti and Purusha are without beginning, and know that all modifications and the gunas arise from Prakriti.
Bhagavad Gita 13.20 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| प्रकृतिम् | prakṛtim | nature |
| पुरुषम् | puruṣam | spirit |
| च एव | ca eva | and also |
| विद्धि | viddhi | know |
| अनादी | anādī | both beginningless |
| उभौ अपि | ubhau api | the two alike |
| विकारान् च | vikārān ca | and the modifications |
| गुणान् च एव | guṇān ca eva | and the qualities too |
| विद्धि | viddhi | know |
| प्रकृतिसम्भवान् | prakṛti-sambhavān | as born of nature |
Explanation
Know that nature and spirit are both without beginning. Know also that all modifications and all the qualities are born of nature. The changing world we see, including body and mind, is nature's work, while spirit is the unchanging conscious principle.
The chapter now shifts from the vocabulary of field and knower to that of prakriti and purusha, familiar from Sankhya. Neither had a starting point; their relationship is as old as existence. All change, including the body, mind and the three gunas, belongs to nature, not to spirit. Shankara treats prakriti as the Lord's power of maya; Ramanuja treats both nature and souls as real and eternal, forming the body of the Lord.
भावार्थ
प्रकृति और पुरुष — इन दोनों को ही अनादि जान; और सब विकारों तथा गुणों को प्रकृति से उत्पन्न हुआ जान। शरीर और मन के सब परिवर्तन प्रकृति के हैं, आत्मा के नहीं।
Living it today
Moods, illness and ageing belong to nature's changing side. Meet them with patience rather than taking them as the whole of you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 13.20?
Know that nature and spirit are both without beginning. Know also that all modifications and all the qualities are born of nature. The changing world we see, including body and mind, is nature's work, while spirit is the unchanging conscious principle.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 13.20?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 13 (Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 13.20 in daily life?
Moods, illness and ageing belong to nature's changing side. Meet them with patience rather than taking them as the whole of you.
Reflected on verse 13.20?
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