Bhagavad Gita · Verse 13.20
Chapter 13: Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga (क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
कार्यकारणकर्तृत्वे हेतुः प्रकृतिरुच्यते । पुरुषः सुखदुःखानां भोक्तृत्वे हेतुरुच्यते ॥२०॥
kāryakāraṇakartṛtve hetuḥ prakṛtirucyate | puruṣaḥ sukhaduḥkhānāṃ bhoktṛtve heturucyate ||20||
Complete Shloka Translation
Prakriti is said to be the cause in the production of effects and causes; purusha is said to be the cause in experiencing happiness and sorrow.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कार्यकारण | kāryakāraṇa | effect and cause in the supplied reading |
| भोक्तृत्व | bhoktṛtva | experiencing |
| कार्यकारणकर्तृत्वे | kāryakāraṇakartṛtve | [term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau... |
| हेतुः | hetuḥ | [term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau... |
| प्रकृतिरुच्यते | prakṛtirucyate | [term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau... |
| पुरुषः | puruṣaḥ | [term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau... |
| सुखदुःखानां | sukhaduḥkhānāṃ | [term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau... |
| भोक्तृत्वे | bhoktṛtve | [term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau... |
| हेतुरुच्यते | heturucyate | [term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau... |
| २० | heturucyate | [term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau... |
effect and cause in the supplied reading
experiencing
[term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau...
[term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau...
[term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau...
[term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau...
[term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau...
[term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau...
[term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau...
[term] in context of Prakriti is said to be the cau...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The supplied reading is kārya-kāraṇa, effects and causes; some commentaries read kārya-karaṇa, with a short vowel, as body and instruments. Nature’s productive role is distinguished from purusha’s experience.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Separate the conditions of an experience from the fact of experiencing it."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which conditions of an experience can you examine separately?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.