Bhagavad Gita 13.30 · Krishna
Nature acts, the Self watches
प्रकृत्यैव च कर्माणि क्रियमाणानि सर्वशः।
यः पश्यति तथात्मानमकर्तारं स पश्यति॥
prakṛtyaiva ca karmāṇi kriyamāṇāni sarvaśaḥyaḥ paśyati tathātmānamakartāraṃ sa paśyati
One who sees that all actions are done by nature alone, and the Self is not the doer, truly sees.
Words
- prakṛti
What it means
Krishna repeats a liberating idea. Actions are performed by prakriti, nature, through body and mind. The Self, atman, is akarta, not the doer, but the witness. Seeing this doesn't remove responsibility for choices. It removes the crushing ego that thinks I alone made everything happen.
The story
Arjuna feared being the killer of his family. Krishna again shows him a lighter way to stand. Act rightly, and know the deepest you is the calm witness behind the act.
In your life
Imagine a pianist who says, during my best performances, the music plays itself. Do one task today with full effort and a light heart, letting it flow through you.
Let nature act. Rest as the witness.