
13
CHAPTER
VERSE
30
प्रकृत्यैव च कर्माणि क्रियमाणानि सर्वश: |
य: पश्यति तथात्मानमकर्तारं स पश्यति || 13.30 ||
Prakṛtyaiva ca karmāṇi kriyamāṇāni sarvaśaḥ |
Yaḥ paśyati tathātmānam akartāraṁ sa paśyati ||
One who perceives that all activities are performed by nature alone and that the self is not the doer, sees things as they are.
Lesson:
Those who discern the truth perceive that all actions are orchestrated by the inherent nature (prakṛti) and recognize the self as a mere witness, devoid of agency. Krishna's teaching challenges the common perception of individual agency and ownership of actions. He asserts that the multifarious activities occurring in the universe are governed by the natural order, or prakṛti. Every action, whether physical, mental, or emotional, arises from the interplay of the three guṇas (qualities) of prakṛti – sattva (purity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia).
By acknowledging that the self is not the doer, Krishna reveals the profound truth of the self's transcendental nature. The ātman, or the true self, remains unaffected by the actions performed by the body, mind, and senses. It merely witnesses the unfolding drama of life, untouched by the dualities of pleasure and pain, success and failure.
Krishna's teaching encourages seekers to cultivate a sense of detachment and equanimity towards the fruits of their actions. By recognizing the impersonal nature of karma, individuals can free themselves from the bondage of desire-driven actions and attain inner peace and contentment.
Moreover, this verse underscores the importance of self-realization in attaining true wisdom and liberation (mokṣa). Those who perceive the self as distinct from the body, mind, and senses, and recognize its eternal nature beyond the fluctuations of prakṛti, attain a higher state of consciousness.
In essence, this verse from the Bhagavad Gita imparts the profound insight that understanding the true nature of karma and the self leads to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. By recognizing that all actions are governed by the natural order and that the self is merely a witness, individuals can attain clarity of vision and live in harmony with the cosmic rhythm of existence.