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Chapter 13 • Verse 23
The Yoga of the Field and the Knower of the Field
MEANING & CONTEXT
Krishna describes the Supreme Self (Paramatma) in the body. 'Upadraṣṭā'—the witness. The Supreme Self witnesses all actions. 'Anumantā'—the permitter. It allows actions to happen. 'Bhartā'—the sustainer. It sustains the body. 'Bhoktā'—the enjoyer. It experiences pleasure and pain. 'Maheśvaraḥ'—the great Lord. It's the master of all. 'Paramātmety cāpy ukto dehe 'smin puruṣaḥ paraḥ'—the Supreme Self in this body is called the supreme purusha. When you understand this, you recognize that the Supreme Self—the ultimate knower—is present in your body. It's the witness of all actions, the permitter of all actions, the sustainer of the body, the experiencer of all, and the great Lord. This is not the individual consciousness—it's the Supreme Consciousness present in the individual. Recognizing this Supreme Self in you is the path to liberation.
Explore Human Experiences
How this ancient wisdom applies to your daily life
Key Takeaway
Krishna describes the Supreme Self (Paramatma) in the body. It is the witness (upadraṣṭā) of all actions, the permitter (anumantā) that allows actions, the sustainer (bhartā) of the body, the experiencer (bhoktā) of pleasure and pain, and the great Lord (maheśvaraḥ)—the master of all. Most people think they are their actions. They think: 'I do this. I am my actions.' But they're not recognizing the witness. The Supreme Self is the witness of all actions. It witnesses but doesn't do. Most people think the body sustains itself. They think: 'The body is independent.' But they're not recognizing the sustainer. The Supreme Self sustains the body. Most people think they're in control. They think: 'I control everything.' But they're not recognizing the great Lord. The Supreme Self is the great Lord—the master of all. Most people think the Supreme Self is somewhere else. They think: 'The Supreme Self is out there, separate from me.' But they're not recognizing that the Supreme Self is in their body—the supreme purusha present in them. When you recognize the Supreme Self in you—as the witness, permitter, sustainer, experiencer, and great Lord—you realize your true nature. You're not the doer—the Supreme Self witnesses. You're not the body—the Supreme Self sustains. You're not the controller—the Supreme Self is the master. You're the Supreme Self—present in the body, but not limited by it. This recognition is the path to liberation.
Personal Reflection
Do you recognize the Supreme Self in you? Do you see yourself as the witness, or as the doer? Do you think the Supreme Self is separate, or do you recognize it's present in your body? What would change if you recognized the Supreme Self in you—as the witness, sustainer, experiencer, and great Lord?
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