Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, Verse 29

English Translation

Since by seeing eally God who is present alike everywhere he does not injure the Self by the Self, therefore he attains the supreme Goal.

Detailed Commentary

Samam paśyan hi… hinastyātmanātmānam – The individual who perceives the one supreme Paramātmā equally in all animate and inanimate, static and dynamic beings, in all higher and lower species, and experiences the unity of their own Ātmā with that Paramātmā, does not harm their own Self. One should not identify with the body, for instance, considering the body’s growth as one’s own growth, the body’s destruction as one’s own destruction, or feeling sick when the body is ill. Such a person commits ‘ātmā-hatyā’ (self-murder) and becomes ensnared in the cycle of birth and death. However, one whose vision has shifted from the body and is focused solely on the all-pervading Paramātmā does not act in this manner. In reality, no one can destroy the Ātmā, for the Ātmā is eternal. Identification with the body is akin to self-murder. When one understands their Ātmā to be one with Paramātmā, they attain the supreme state, which is eternally perfect. The profound point is that Paramātmā is everywhere and in every time. It is equally perfect in all. Attaining It is not difficult. This world is full of many changes, and that which is perishable will always remain so. By understanding the truth of Paramātmā, this mirage becomes firm. If there is no delusion (moha), only Paramātmā remains. To see Paramātmā everywhere is the true vision. One who gives more importance to the perishable world commits self-murder. Therefore, the Lord says that one who sees the imperishable within the perishable is the one who truly sees. Living life based on the world is not appropriate for anyone. Experiencing one’s true nature is the true success of life. Becoming entangled in the world and forgetting humanity is animality (paśutā). This animality must be abandoned. Connection – This chapter discusses the conjunction of Kshetra and Kshetrajna. To avoid this conjunction, there are two means: recognizing one's relationship with Paramātmā and severing the connection with Prakriti (the body). The next two verses explain the means of severing these connections.