Bhagavad Gita 13.20 · Krishna
Nature and spirit, both ancient
प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव विद्ध्यनादी उभावपि।
विकारांश्च गुणांश्चैव विद्धि प्रकृतिसम्भवान्॥
prakṛtiṃ puruṣaṃ caiva viddhyanādi ubhāvapivikārāṃśca guṇāṃścaiva viddhi prakṛtisambhavān
Know that both nature and spirit are without beginning. And know that every change and every guna arises from nature.
Words
- prakṛti
- puruṣa
- guṇa
What it means
Krishna names two ancient principles. Prakriti, nature, matter and mind. And purusha, spirit, consciousness. Both, he says, are without beginning. All change, all the gunas, the three forces of moods and qualities, come from prakriti. Purusha is the one who witnesses it all.
The story
Arjuna has been confusing the two, thinking his changing feelings are who he is. Krishna separates them. Feelings belong to nature. The witness is spirit.
In your life
Next time your mood shifts, say quietly, that's nature changing. Then notice the part of you watching it. That watcher is steady. Try it three times today.
Nature changes. The witness remains.