Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15, Verse 14

English Translation

Taking the form of Vaisvanara and residing in the bodies of creatures, I, in association with Prana and Apana, digest the four kinds of food.

Detailed Commentary

।।15.14।। Commentary -- "Aham Vaishwānaro bhūtvā prāṇināṁ deham āśritaḥ" -- After describing His power in the illuminating capacity of Agni in the twelfth shloka, in this shloka Bhagavan describes His power in the digestive capacity of Vaishwānara Agni. The import is that both functions of Agni (illuminating and digesting) occur solely through the power of Bhagavan. For the nourishment of the bodies of beings and the protection of their life-breaths, Bhagavan Himself resides within their bodies as Vaishwānara (the gastric fire). Just as in humans, the digestive power of Vaishwānara also works in Sthāvara (immovable) beings like creepers and trees, and in Jangama (movable) beings like animals and birds. Creepers and trees absorb food and water, and it is as a result of the digestion of these by the digestive power that these creepers and trees grow. "Prāṇāpāna-samāyuktaḥ" -- Within the body, there are five principal Vāyus: Prāṇa, Apāna, Samāna, Udāna, and Vyāna; and five subsidiary Vāyus: Nāga, Kūrma, Krikara, Devadatta, and Dhanañjaya. In this shloka, Bhagavan describes only two principal Vāyus—Prāṇa and Apāna—because these two Vāyus ignite the Jathara-Agni (gastric fire). The subtle task of delivering the subtle essence or rasa of digested food to every part of the body is also primarily carried out by the Prāṇa and Apāna Vāyus. "Pachāmy annaṁ chaturvidham" -- Beings consume four types of Anna (food): (1) Bhojya -- Food that is chewed with teeth, such as bread (roti), sweet bread (puā), etc. (2) Peya -- Food that is swallowed, such as khichḍī, halwa, milk, juice, etc. (3) Choṣya -- Food whose juice is sucked by pressing it with teeth, and the remaining non-essential part is spat out, such as sugarcane (ūkh), mango (ām), etc. Sthāvara species like trees receive food in this manner. (4) Lehya -- Food that is licked with the tongue, such as chutney, honey, etc. Even within these four types of Anna, there are numerous sub-varieties. Bhagavan says that He Himself, in the form of Vaishwānara (Jathara-Agni), digests all four types of Anna. There is no part of Anna that can be digested without His power. Connection -- After describing His potent Vibhūtis in the previous three shlokas, Bhagavan now concludes that subject by stating that He Himself is the essence (tattva) to be known in all respects.