kaaryakaaranakartritve hetuh prakritiruchyate | purushah sukhaduhkhaanaam bhoktritve heturuchyate ||21||
Translation
Nature is said to be the cause of all material causes and effects, whereas the living entity is the cause of the various sufferings and enjoyments in this world.
Word-by-Word Meaning
कार्य
of effect
कारण
and cause
कर्तृत्वे
in the matter of creation
हेतुः
the cause
प्रकृतिः
material nature
उच्यते
is said to be
पुरुषः
the living entity
सुख
of happiness
दुःखानाम्
and distress
भोक्तृत्वे
in the matter of enjoyment
हेतुः
the cause
उच्यते
is said to be
Commentary
Commentary
The bodies and senses of the living entities are all manifestations of material nature. There are eighty-four hundred thousand (84 lakh) different species of life. The living entity obtains different senses and different bodies from the different species produced by material nature. When the living entity desires a particular body or to remain in a particular body, it obtains various bodies and in that way experiences different kinds of happiness and suffering.
The material body is the cause of all physical happiness and suffering. The bodily pleasures and pains arise because of the body, and the body itself is the product of the living entity’s desires interacting with material nature. In its original condition, there is no doubt about the living entity’s state of enjoyment — it is the pure spirit soul. But when it comes under the influence of material nature, the desire to lord over matter causes it to enter the material world.
The point here is that material nature acts as the instrument for creating different bodies and providing different sensory experiences, but the living entity itself is responsible for choosing to enjoy or suffer. It is the living entity’s desire that places it in favorable or unfavorable circumstances. Just as the next verse will make clear, the living entity receives its body as either a blessing or a curse depending on its past desires and activities. Material nature, directed by the Supersoul, places the living entity in the exact body that matches its karmic destiny. The body is the instrument provided by prakriti, and the experience of joy and sorrow belongs to the purusha.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Bhagavad Gita 13.21 mean?
- Nature is said to be the cause of all material causes and effects, whereas the living entity is the cause of the various sufferings and enjoyments in this world.
- What is the Sanskrit text of Bhagavad Gita 13.21?
- The original Sanskrit verse is: kaaryakaaranakartritve hetuh prakritiruchyate | purushah sukhaduhkhaanaam bhoktritve heturuchyate ||21||
- What are the key themes of this verse?
- This verse explores: prakriti, karma, suffering, enjoyment.