Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, Verse 24

English Translation

He who knows thus the Person and Nature along with the alities will not be born again, in whatever way he may live.

Detailed Commentary

The person who understands that the Ātman is distinct from the body and Prakriti, knows that all that appears in the world is a result of Prakriti and its Gunas. Such a person, even while performing their bounden duty (Kartavya Karma), does not attain rebirth (Punarjanma). The primary cause of taking birth is attachment to the Gunas (Bhagavad Gītā 13.21). Here, it should be noted that the person who experiences themselves as separate from the body and considers Prakriti as distinct from themselves, wrong desires (Ichhāen) cannot arise within them. Due to the absence of desires, prohibited conduct (Niṣiddha Ācharaṇ) is not possible for them, because desires (Kāmanāen) alone are the cause of prohibited conduct (Bhagavad Gītā 3.37). Here, Bhagavān inspires the Sādhaka to know their true nature, so that they may understand that in the very nature of the Ātman, there is truly no action (Kriyā). Therefore, it (the Ātman) is neither the doer (Kartā) of any action nor the enjoyer (Bhoktā) of its fruits. When the Sādhaka knows themselves as a-kartā (non-doer), their ego of doership (Kartāpana kā Abhimān) automatically ceases, and their attachment (Āsakti) to the fruits of action also ends. Nevertheless, scripturally sanctioned actions (Śāstrānukul Kriyāen) continue to happen spontaneously through them. By transcending the Gunas, they do not attain rebirth (Punarjanma). Connection (Sambandha): In the previous verse, Bhagavān explained the reason for correctly knowing Prakriti and Puruṣa to become birthless. Now, the question arises whether there is any other means to become free from birth and death (Janma-Mṛtyu). In response, Bhagavān describes four means in the next two verses.