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Bhagavad Gita 13.22

Chapter 13, Verse 22

Part of 13: Kṣhetra Kṣhetrajña Vibhāg Yogक्षेत्र-क्षेत्रज्ञविभागयोग

पुरुषः प्रकृतिस्थो हि भुङ्क्ते प्रकृतिजान्गुणान्।कारणं गुणसङ्गोऽस्य सदसद्योनिजन्मसु॥

Transliteration

puruṣhaḥ prakṛiti-stho hi bhuṅkte prakṛiti-jān guṇān kāraṇaṁ guṇa-saṅgo ’sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu

Meaning

The soul seated in Nature experiences the qualities born of Nature; attachment to the qualities is the cause of its birth in good and evil wombs.

Word-by-word meaning
puruṣhaḥthe individual soulprakṛiti-sthaḥseated in the material energyhiindeedbhuṅktedesires to enjoyprakṛiti-jānproduced by the material energyguṇānthe three modes of naturekāraṇamthe causeguṇa-saṅgaḥthe attachment (to three guṇas)asyaof itssat-asat-yoniin superior and inferior wombsjanmasuof birth
Commentary

The soul residing in Nature and identifying itself with the body and the senses which are modifications of Nature acts through the alities of Nature and experiences pleasure and pain and delusion. It thinks? I am happy? I am miserable? I am deluded? I am wise. When it thus identifies itself with the alities, it assumes individuality and takes birth in pure and impure wombs. The soul (Jivatma) enjoys the sensual objects in conjunction with the body, mind and the senses and thus becomes the enjoyer. Brahman is the silent witness and nonenjoyer. The souls attachment to the alities of pleasure, pain and delusion is the chief cause of its birth. If you add the word Samsara to the second half of the verse, it will mean Attachment to the alities is the cause of Samsara through births in good and evil wombs. Good wombs (Sat Yoni) are those of the gods and the like evil wombs (Asat Yoni) are those of lower animals. The human womb is partly good and partly evil on account of mixed Karmas. Purushah prakritisthah Purusha (the soul) seated in Prakriti (Nature). This is Avidya (ignorance). Attachment to the alities of Nature is Kama (desire). Avidya and Kama are the cause of Samsara. Jnana (wisdom) and Vairagya (dispassion) will destroy ignorance and desire. (Cf. XIV.5XV.7)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, Verse 22?
The soul seated in Nature experiences the qualities born of Nature; attachment to the qualities is the cause of its birth in good and evil wombs.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 22 of Chapter 13 (Kṣhetra Kṣhetrajña Vibhāg Yog — Yoga through Distinguishing the Field and the Knower of the Field) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.