Commentary

Commentary

Through the knowledge presented in this chapter, one can understand both the material body (kshetra) and its knowers — the individual soul (jivatma) and the Supersoul (Paramatma). The body is the field of activities and is produced by material nature (prakriti). The one who enjoys the body’s activities — the purusha or living entity — is the knower, and there is another knower as well — the Supersoul, who is the supreme observer.

Both material nature and the living entity are eternal. They existed before the creation of this cosmic manifestation. The material manifestation arises from the energy of the Supreme Lord, and so do the living entities. Both are parts of His energies. The living entity is the superior energy, and material nature is the inferior energy. Both have existed since before the creation of this cosmos, and when the need arises — when material nature is required by the Supreme Lord — it is manifested and enters into it.

Material nature and the living entities are both beginningless — meaning they existed prior to creation. This material manifestation is simply the energy of the Supreme Lord, and the modifications (vikaara) and the three modes of nature (gunas) — goodness, passion, and ignorance — are all products of material nature. Through the interactions of these three modes upon the living entity, different bodies, different senses, and different living conditions are created. The living entity itself is pure spirit, but because of its rebellious tendency, it becomes bound within material nature and experiences the various modifications that arise from the three gunas.