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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
13.3013.32

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 13.31

Seeing rightly the body, soul and the Supreme

यदा भूतपृथग्भावमेकस्थमनुपश्यति ।

तत एव च विस्तारं ब्रह्म सम्पद्यते तदा ॥ ३१ ॥

yadā bhūta-pṛthag-bhāvam

eka-stham anupaśyati

tata eva ca vistāraṁ

brahma sampadyate tadā

Translation

When a sensible man ceases to see different identities due to different material bodies and he sees how beings are expanded everywhere, he attains to the Brahman conception.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

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

Seeing Beyond Material Bodies

  1. 1One reaches the Brahman conception by seeing living beings everywhere without judging their identities by their different bodies.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that different bodies arise from the soul’s desires and contact with material nature. These bodies do not truly belong to the soul.
  3. 3Learn to see beyond bodily labels. This spiritual vision purifies consciousness and helps one develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness in one’s spiritual identity.

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 13.31 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 ›
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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 13.31 — 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.