Chapter 13 Verse 21
Kṣhetra Kṣhetrajña Vibhāg Yog
कार्यकारणकर्तृत्वे हेतुः प्रकृतिरुच्यते।पुरुषः सुखदुःखानां भोक्तृत्वे हेतुरुच्यते।।13.21।।
kārya-kāraṇa-kartṛitve hetuḥ prakṛitir uchyate puruṣhaḥ sukha-duḥkhānāṁ bhoktṛitve hetur uchyate
Word Meanings
| kārya | effect |
| kāraṇa | cause |
| kartṛitve | in the matter of creation |
| hetuḥ | the medium |
| prakṛitiḥ | the material energy |
| uchyate | is said to be |
| puruṣhaḥ | the individual soul |
| sukha-duḥkhānām | of happiness and distress |
| bhoktṛitve | in experiencing |
| hetuḥ | is responsible |
| uchyate | is said to be |
Translation
In the production of the effect and the cause, Nature (matter) is said to be the cause; in the experience of pleasure and pain, the soul is said to be the one responsible.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse draws a clear line between two things: Nature (prakṛti) and the soul (puruṣha). Nature is the active, creative force that produces thoughts, body sensations, and actions. It is the source of causes and effects in our experience.
The soul is the conscious witness who feels pleasure and pain. It does not create sensations on its own but experiences what nature presents. Understanding this helps us see that not every reaction is truly "me" in the deepest sense.
Spiritually, this teaches detachment and clarity. When we see that many impulses come from habit, body, or mind, we can respond more wisely. At the same time, recognizing the soul as the experiencer helps us take responsibility for how we relate to those experiences.
Life Application
- Pause and notice: when upset or joyful, briefly observe the feeling as something happening, not your identity.
- Respond, don’t react: acknowledge that impulses arise from habit or environment before choosing a calm action.
- Build habits gently: change the repeating causes (sleep, food, thoughts) to reduce harmful effects over time.
Reflection Question
Can you notice the feeling as something that happens to you, rather than the whole of who you are?