Bhagavad Gita BG 13.20
Chapter 13, Verse 20 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव विद्ध्यनादी उभावपि । विकारांश्च गुणांश्चैव विद्धि प्रकृतिसम्भवान् ॥
prakrtim purusham caiva viddhy anadi ubhav api vikarams ca gunams caiva viddhi prakrti-sambhavan
Meaning
Know that both Prakriti and Purusha are beginningless. And know that the modifications (vikara) and the gunas arise from Prakriti.
Understanding
The foundational statement of the two principles: prakrtim purusham caiva viddhy anadi ubhav api (know both Prakriti and Purusha as beginningless). Both are eternal, without origin. Vikara ca guna ca viddhi prakrti-sambhavan (the vikara — modifications/changes — and the gunas arise from Prakriti). All change, all qualities (sattva, rajas, tamas), all phenomena are Prakriti's products. Purusha (Consciousness) is changeless, witnessing. The confusion of the two — thinking Purusha changes, or that Prakriti is conscious — is the fundamental ignorance.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| प्रकृतिम् | prakrtim | Prakriti (matter/nature, the principle of change) |
| पुरुषम् | purusham | Purusha (the witnessing Consciousness) |
| अनादी | anadi | beginningless, without origin (dual: both) |
| विकारान् | vikaran | modifications, changes, transformations |
| गुणान् | gunan | the three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) |
| प्रकृतिम् | prakṛtim | nature, matter |
| पुरुषम् | puruṣam | the spirit |
| च | caiva | and also |
| विद्धि | viddhi | know |
| अनादी | anādī | beginningless |
| उभौ | ubhau api | both indeed |
| विकारान् | vikārān ca | and modifications |
| गुणान् | guṇān caiva | and the qualities |
| विद्धि | viddhi | know |
| प्रकृति-सम्भवान् | prakṛti-sambhavān | born of nature |