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

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Soul & knowledgeChapter 13 · Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness
13.2913.31

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 13.30

Seeing rightly the body, soul and the Supreme

प्रकृत्यैव च कर्माणि क्रियमाणानि सर्वश: ।

य: पश्यति तथात्मानमकर्तारं स पश्यति ॥ ३० ॥

prakṛtyaiva ca karmāṇi

kriyamāṇāni sarvaśaḥ

yaḥ paśyati tathātmānam

akartāraṁ sa paśyati

Translation

One who can see that all activities are performed by the body, which is created of material nature, and sees that the self does nothing, actually sees.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Seeing Beyond Bodily Activities

  1. 1One who truly sees understands that the body, made of material nature, performs all activities, while the self does nothing.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that the body is a machine designed by the Supreme Lord and given according to one’s past desires.
  3. 3Practice seeing the self as separate from bodily activities, including bodily happiness and distress.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 13, Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness: seeing rightly the body, soul and the supreme.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Discern the eternal self from the temporary.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: ātmā, jñāna.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 13.30 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to soul & knowledge?

Practice

Spend five minutes reflecting on what in you does not change.

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 13.28Seeing rightly the body, soul and the SupremeBG 13.29Seeing rightly the body, soul and the SupremeBG 2.13The self endures bodily changeBG 4.34The humility of real inquiry

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

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 13.30 — 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.