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Chapter 13 · Verse 21 · Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaaga Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 13.21

philosophical Self & Identity Karma & Action Jnana & Wisdom

Sanskrit

कार्यकारणकर्तृत्वे हेतुः प्रकृतिरुच्यते।पुरुषः सुखदुःखानां भोक्तृत्वे हेतुरुच्यते।।13.21।।

Transliteration

kārya-kāraṇa-kartṛitve hetuḥ prakṛitir uchyate puruṣhaḥ sukha-duḥkhānāṁ bhoktṛitve hetur uchyate

Word by Word

kārya effect
kāraṇa cause
kartṛitve in the matter of creation
hetuḥ the medium
prakṛitiḥ the material energy
uchyate is said to be
puruṣhaḥ the individual soul
sukha-duḥkhānām of happiness and distress
bhoktṛitve in experiencing
hetuḥ is responsible
uchyate is said to be
Simplified Perspective

Krishna draws the eternal distinction between the two principles of existence: Prakriti, the material energy that orchestrates all effects and causes in the manifest world, and Purusha, the witnessing consciousness that experiences the results of action. This is not a division into separate realities, but a recognition of two aspects of the one existence—the instrument and the instrumenter.

When you understand this division clearly, you stop claiming ownership of circumstances and begin to witness your life with the equanimity of the soul, transforming how you respond to success and failure.

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Bhagavad Gita 13.21 — BG 13.21

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Sanskrit text from the Bhagavad Gita (public domain). Commentary © Mahakatha.

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