Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, Verse 15

English Translation

Shining through the functions of all the organs, (yet) devoid of all the organs; unattached, and verily the supporter of all; without ality, and the perceiver of alities;

Detailed Commentary

।।13.15।। Explanation — *Sarvendriya-guṇābhāsaṁ sarvendriya-vivarjitām* — First is Paramatma, then Paramatma's power, Prakriti. The function of Prakriti is Mahattattva; the function of Mahattattva is Ahankara; the function of Ahankara is the Panchamahabhutas; the function of the Panchamahabhutas is the mind and the ten Indriyas; and the function of the ten Indriyas is the five subjects of the senses (*vishayas*). All these are the works of Prakriti. Paramatma is beyond Prakriti and its works. Whether *saguṇa* or *nirguṇa*, *sākar* or *nirākar*, He always remains beyond Prakriti. He takes *avatār*, yet even then, He remains beyond Prakriti. At the time of *avatār*, He manifests by controlling Prakriti. Even the *jīva*, who considered itself entangled in *guṇas*, when it attains Paramatma, is called *guṇātīta*. How then can Paramatma be bound by *guṇas*? He is always beyond *guṇas*. Therefore, He is without *indriyas*; He is not connected to senses like hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth, ears, etc., as are the *jīvas* of the world, yet He is capable of perceiving the objects of those senses. For example: He hears the call of devotees even without ears, embraces devotees even without skin, sees everyone even without eyes, enjoys *bhog* even without a tongue (*rasanā*), etc. In this way, even without *jñānendriyas*, Paramatma perceives *śabda*, *sparśa*, and other sense objects. He converses with His devotees even without speech (*vāṇī*), rushes to a devotee's call even without feet, accepts a devotee's offering even without hands. Thus, even without *karmendriyas*, Paramatma performs all the functions of the *karmendriyas*. This is Paramatma's perception of the objects of the senses, even while being devoid of senses. *Asaktaṁ sarva-bhṛc caiva* — Bhagavan has a sense of belonging and love for all *jīvas*, but He has no *āsakti* (attachment) to any *jīva*. Despite having no *āsakti*, He nurtures and sustains all beings, from Brahma to an ant. Just as parents care for their child, Bhagavan cares for beings many times more. Bhagavan knows where each being is and what it needs when, and He provides that thing at the appropriate time. *Nirguṇaṁ guṇa-bhoktṛ ca* — Paramatma, even while being devoid of all *guṇas*, is the *bhoktā* (enjoyer) of all *guṇas*. The meaning is that just as parents are pleased by the small actions of their child, similarly, Paramatma is pleased by the actions of His devotee. Whatever actions the devotee performs, Bhagavan Himself becomes their *bhoktā*.