Chapter 15 Verse 18
Puruṣhottam Yog
यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि चोत्तमः।अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः।।15.18।।
yasmāt kṣharam atīto ’ham akṣharād api chottamaḥ ato ’smi loke vede cha prathitaḥ puruṣhottamaḥ
Word Meanings
| yasmāt | hence |
| kṣharam | to the perishable |
| atītaḥ | transcendental |
| aham | I |
| akṣharāt | to the imperishable |
| api | even |
| cha | and |
| uttamaḥ | transcendental |
| ataḥ | therefore |
| asmi | I am |
| loke | in the world |
| vede | in the Vedas |
| cha | and |
| prathitaḥ | celebrated |
| puruṣha-uttamaḥ | as the Supreme Divine Personality |
Translation
As I transcend the perishable and am even higher than the imperishable, I am declared to be the highest Purusha in the world and in the Vedas.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says that the Supreme is beyond both what changes (the body and the material world) and what seems unchanging (the soul or mind). In other words, God is not limited to the perishable nor is He simply the same as the individual soul; He is higher than both.
Because He is above change and changelessness, He is called the highest Person (Puruṣhottam). The world and the Vedas point to this Supreme, who is the source and controller of everything, not bound by any single category.
Spiritually, this invites us to widen our view: do not cling only to the changing things around you, nor to a small, fixed idea of yourself. Look for a deeper relationship with the One who holds both within Him.
Life Application
- When you face loss or change, remember you are not only your body or your current identity; this reduces fear and helps you respond calmly.
- Keep a practice that connects you to something larger (prayer, reading spiritual teachings, service) so you feel guided by a higher purpose.
- Do your duties without clinging to results, knowing life and the self are parts of a bigger reality.
Reflection Question
Do I rest my trust in passing things, in a fixed sense of myself, or in something beyond both?