Bhagavad Gita BG 13.23
Chapter 13, Verse 23 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
उपद्रष्टानुमन्ता च भर्ता भोक्ता महेश्वरः । परमात्मेति चाप्युक्तो देहेऽस्मिन्पुरुषः परः ॥
upadrashtanumanta ca bharta bhokta maheshvarah paramatmeti capy ukto dehe 'smin purushah parah
Meaning
The witness (upadraShTa), the permitter (anumanta), the supporter (bharta), the experiencer (bhokta), the great Lord (Maheshvara) — He is called the supreme Atman in this body, the transcendent Purusha.
Understanding
Five names/functions of Purusha in the body: Upadrashtah (the witness — upa means near/close; it watches closely, the intimate Witness). Anumanta (the permitter — it allows experience to occur; nothing happens without the Consciousness 'permitting' it). Bharta (the supporter — it sustains the body-mind complex from within). Bhokta (the experiencer — it is the one who 'enjoys' or experiences). Maheshvara (the great Lord). Paramatmeti capi ukto (also called the supreme Atman). Dehe 'smin purushah parah (the transcendent Purusha in this body). Five names for the one Consciousness that pervades, witnesses, supports, and gives experience to this body.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| उपद्रष्टा | upadraShTa | the close witness, the intimate observer |
| अनुमन्ता | anumanta | the permitter, the one who allows |
| भर्ता | bharta | the supporter, the sustainer |
| भोक्ता | bhokta | the experiencer, the enjoyer |
| महेश्वरः | maheshvarah | the great Lord, the supreme controller |
| परमात्मा | paramatma | the supreme Self (Atman) |
| परः | parah | the transcendent, the higher, beyond |
| उपद्रष्टा | upadraṣṭā | the witness, the overseer |
| अनुमन्ता | anumantā | the permitter, the sanctioner |
| च | ca | and |
| भर्ता | bhartā | the sustainer |
| भोक्ता | bhoktā | the enjoyer |
| महेश्वरः | maheśvaraḥ | the great Lord |
| परमात्मा | paramātmā | the Supreme Self |
| इति | iti | thus |
| च | cāpy uktaḥ | and also called |
| देहे | dehe asmin | in this body |
| पुरुषः | puruṣaḥ | the conscious being |
| परः | paraḥ | the transcendental, supreme |
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