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Chapter 13 · Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness · 35 verses

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Krishna’s natureChapter 13 · Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness
13.1613.18

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 13.17

The supreme knower and all-pervading Supersoul

अविभक्तं च भूतेषु विभक्तमिव च स्थितम् ।

भूतभर्तृ च तज्ज्ञेयं ग्रसिष्णु प्रभविष्णु च ॥ १७ ॥

avibhaktaṁ ca bhūteṣu

vibhaktam iva ca sthitam

bhūta-bhartṛ ca taj jñeyaṁ

grasiṣṇu prabhaviṣṇu ca

Translation

Although the Supersoul appears to be divided among all beings, He is never divided. He is situated as one. Although He is the maintainer of every living entity, it is to be understood that He devours and develops all.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

One Supersoul in All

  1. 1The Supersoul appears divided among all beings but remains one. He maintains, devours, and develops all.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that the Lord is in every heart without dividing Himself, just as one sun appears in many places.
  3. 3Everything comes from the Lord, rests in His power, and returns to rest in Him after annihilation.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 13, Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness: the supreme knower and all-pervading supersoul.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Recognize Kṛṣṇa as the source of all.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhagavān, vibhūti.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 13.17 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to krishna’s nature?

Practice

Notice something excellent and see it as His opulence.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 13 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 13.13The supreme knower and all-pervading SupersoulBG 13.14The supreme knower and all-pervading SupersoulBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 11.51Composure returns in Krishna’s personal presence

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 13.17 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.