य एवं वेत्ति पुरुषं प्रकृतिं च गुणै: सह ।
सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि न स भूयोऽभिजायते ॥ २४ ॥
ya evaṁ vetti puruṣhaṁ prakṛitiṁ cha guṇaiḥ saha
sarvathā vartamāno ’pi na sa bhūyo ’bhijāyate
श्लोक २४: जो भी मनुष्य पुरुष और प्रकृति को और भौतिक गुणों को इस प्रकार जानता है, चाहे जीवन में उनकी स्थिति कुछ भी हो, वह फिर से जन्म नहीं लेता।
Shloka 24: Whoever knows Purusha and Prakriti along with the material qualities (gunas) in this way, regardless of their state in life is never born again.
Verse 13.24 of the Bhagavad Gita presents a profound conclusion to Krishna's teachings on the relationship between the individual soul (purusha), material nature (prakriti), and the three modes of nature (gunas). In this verse, Krishna declares that one who truly comprehends this relationship attains liberation from the cycle of birth and death, regardless of their current position in life.
The Sanskrit verse "ya evaḿ vetti puruṣaḿ prakṛtiḿ ca guṇaiḥ saha sarvathā vartamāno 'pi na sa bhūyo 'bhijāyate" encapsulates a profound spiritual truth. Krishna explains that when a person understands the distinction between the eternal soul and temporary material nature, along with how the three modes of nature operate, they achieve a state of enlightenment that frees them from future rebirth.
This verse emphasizes that liberation doesn't require a change in external circumstances. Even while continuing to live and act within the material world ("sarvathā vartamāno 'pi"), the enlightened person remains internally detached. They fulfill their worldly responsibilities, but with the clear understanding that their true identity is spiritual, not material. This awareness prevents the formation of new karmic reactions that would otherwise necessitate future births.
The knowledge being described here is not merely intellectual but transformative. It's like someone watching a movie who suddenly realizes that despite being emotionally invested in the story, the film is just an illusion projected on a screen. Similarly, the person who understands the temporary nature of material existence sees beyond the illusion and recognizes their true spiritual identity. This realization naturally cultivates detachment from material entanglements.
Krishna's statement "na sa bhūyo 'bhijāyate" (he will not take birth again) reveals the ultimate purpose of spiritual knowledge—to free the soul from the perpetual cycle of birth and death. The enlightened individual recognizes that they are not the temporary body but the eternal soul, merely passing through the material realm. This understanding is the key that unlocks the door to liberation.
What makes this verse particularly powerful is its practical applicability. It doesn't demand that we renounce the world or adopt extreme practices. Rather, it suggests that liberation comes through correct understanding and perception. We can continue living our normal lives, but with a fundamentally different awareness that transforms how we experience existence. The body may continue its activities, but the conscious self remains unaffected by material circumstances.
This verse serves as both a promise and a roadmap. It assures us that freedom from suffering is possible through knowledge, and it outlines exactly what we need to understand: the distinction between soul and matter, the operation of material nature through the three modes, and our relationship with the Supreme. When we truly comprehend these truths, we begin to see the world through new eyes—eyes that perceive the temporary nature of material existence and the eternal nature of our spiritual essence. This shift in perception is the beginning of true liberation.
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