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Chapter 15 · The Yoga of the Supreme Person · 20 verses

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Soul & knowledgeChapter 15 · The Yoga of the Supreme Person
15.1015.12

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 15.11

The jīva as Krishna’s eternal fragmental part

यतन्तो योगिनश्चैनं पश्यन्त्यात्मन्यवस्थितम् ।

यतन्तोऽप्यकृतात्मानो नैनं पश्यन्त्यचेतस: ॥ ११ ॥

yatanto yoginaś cainaṁ

paśyanty ātmany avasthitam

yatanto ’py akṛtātmāno

nainaṁ paśyanty acetasaḥ

Translation

The endeavoring transcendentalists who are situated in self-realization can see all this clearly. But those whose minds are not developed and who are not situated in self-realization cannot see what is taking place, though they may try.

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 Through Self-Realization

  1. 1Those established in self-realization can see clearly what is happening; those without it cannot, even if they try.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that bodily exercise alone cannot reveal the soul’s movement between bodies. Bhakti-yogīs engaged in pure devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can understand it.
  3. 3Seek self-realization through pure devotional service, rather than being satisfied only with a strong, healthy body.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 15, The Yoga of the Supreme Person: the jīva as krishna’s eternal fragmental part.

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 15.11 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 15 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 15.7The living being belongs to KrishnaBG 15.8The jīva as Krishna’s eternal fragmental partBG 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.

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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.