उपद्रष्टानुमन्ता च भर्ता भोक्ता महेश्वर: ।
परमात्मेति चाप्युक्तो देहेऽस्मिन्पुरुष: पर: ॥ २३ ॥
upadraṣhṭānumantā cha bhartā bhoktā maheśhvaraḥ
paramātmeti chāpy ukto dehe ’smin puruṣhaḥ paraḥ
श्लोक २३: इसके अतिरिक्त इस देह में एक और पुरुष है, जिन्हें परमात्मा कहा जाता है। वह उपद्रष्टा और अनुमंता है, वह सर्वोच्च पालक, भोक्ता, नियंत्रक और भौतिक प्रकृति से परे है।
Shloka 23: Also in this body there is another Purusha called Paramatma, the Supreme Soul. He is the overseer and permission giver, He is the supreme maintainer, enjoyer and controller and is transcendental.
In Bhagavad Gita 13.23, Krishna draws a clear distinction between two divine presences within every living being—the individual soul (jivatma) and the Supersoul (Paramatma). While both dwell in the same body, they function in markedly different ways. The jivatma is entangled in desires, acting as the seeker and experiencer of pleasure and pain. The Supersoul, in contrast, is the silent overseer, transcending material influences and providing a steady presence unaffected by the drama of worldly life. Krishna refers to the Supersoul as the “puruṣaḥ paraḥ”—the supreme person, ever-pure and separate from the turmoil of nature’s gunas.
To grasp this relationship, imagine two birds perched on the same tree, a classic image from the Upanishads. One bird (the jivatma) hops from branch to branch, tasting first the sweet, then the bitter fruit—pursuing experience, feeling joy and sorrow in turn. The other bird (the Paramatma) perches calmly on a high branch, simply observing its companion’s restless journey, untouched itself by the fruits. The Supersoul does not interfere but watches benevolently, waiting for the individual soul to seek its enduring guidance.
Krishna describes the Supersoul using several Sanskrit terms to highlight its roles. As “upadraṣṭā,” He is the witness, silently watching every thought, word, and deed. As “anumantā,” He is the permitter, allowing actions to unfold in accordance with the jivatma’s desires and karma. The jivatma cannot initiate any activity without this divine sanction; even the simplest action, though driven by personal longing or ambition, is made possible by the silent approval of the Supersoul.
Beyond these, the Supersoul is called “bhartā”—the sustainer and provider of all living beings. It is from this divine source that the necessities of life—breath, intellect, energy—flow forth. Even as the individual soul strives to enjoy the world as the “bhoktā” (enjoyer), it is ultimately the Supersoul who remains the true enjoyer of all sacrifices and actions. As “maheśvaraḥ,” the Supreme Lord and controller, Paramatma retains the ultimate authority over nature itself, orchestrating the grand tapestry of the universe while remaining untouched by its threads.
Yet, this Supreme presence does not become entangled in the consequences of desire and action. Unlike the individual soul, who is swept up in the results of choices—experiencing birth, death, joy, and suffering—the Supersoul remains neutral, never bound by karma. The jivatma, identifying with body and mind, creates and lives out cycles of action and reaction. Paramatma, on the other hand, remains aloof and full, ever-ready to offer liberation when the individual soul seeks it with understanding and devotion.
What is remarkable about this teaching is the subtlety of the Supersoul’s participation. There is no force or imposition; the Supersoul honors free will even when that freedom leads to pain or ignorance. Paramatma neither causes suffering nor withholds joy, but simply grants the soul the space to choose—a silent partner in the adventure of existence. In every circumstance—good or bad, joyous or bitter—the Supersoul remains constant, present in everyone’s heart, patiently awaiting the soul’s turn toward self-realization.
This understanding sheds light on the deep personal experience of life’s ups and downs. Instead of seeing oneself as the victim of fate or the plaything of God, this verse invites us to recognize the dignity of our own free will and the ever-present support of a higher witness. The Supersoul is not absent in our struggles, nor is He the sender of arbitrary trials. He is the patient observer and guide, sustaining every life and upholding every choice, inviting us—when we’re ready—to look beyond the shifting play of pleasure and pain to our highest potential.
Ultimately, Bhagavad Gita 13.23 reveals a profound truth about the dual reality within each of us: the active experiencer and the supreme witness. By understanding the distinction between jivatma and Paramatma, we find clarity amidst confusion, and hope even in hardship. When the individual soul finally recognizes the presence of the Supersoul, the door to liberation and lasting peace quietly opens. The verse stands as a reminder that, even while caught in the ever-changing world, there is within us a silent companion—steadfast, loving, and eternally free.
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