Bhagavad Gita · Verse 15.16
Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga (पुरुषोत्तमयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
द्वाविमौ पुरुषौ लोके क्षरश्चाक्षर एव च । क्षरः सर्वाणि भूतानि कूटस्थोऽक्षर उच्यते ॥१६॥
dvāvimau puruṣau loke kṣaraścākṣara eva ca | kṣaraḥ sarvāṇi bhūtāni kūṭastho'kṣara ucyate ||16||
Complete Shloka Translation
There are these two purushas in the world: the perishable and the imperishable. All beings are the perishable; the unchanging is called the imperishable.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| क्षर | kṣara | perishable |
| कूटस्थ | kūṭastha | unchanging |
| द्वाविमौ | dvāvimau | [term] in context of There are these two purushas i... |
| पुरुषौ | puruṣau | [term] in context of There are these two purushas i... |
| लोके | loke | [term] in context of There are these two purushas i... |
| क्षरश्चाक्षर | kṣaraścākṣara | [term] in context of There are these two purushas i... |
| एव | eva | [term] in context of There are these two purushas i... |
| क्षरः | ca | [term] in context of There are these two purushas i... |
| सर्वाणि | kṣaraḥ | [term] in context of There are these two purushas i... |
| भूतानि | sarvāṇi | [term] in context of There are these two purushas i... |
| कूटस्थोऽक्षर | bhūtāni | [term] in context of There are these two purushas i... |
| उच्यते | kūṭastho'kṣara | [term] in context of There are these two purushas i... |
| १६ | ucyate | [term] in context of There are these two purushas i... |
perishable
unchanging
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Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna introduces the distinction needed for the following verses. Kshara denotes the perishable and kutastha the unchanging; Vedanta traditions explain akshara differently, so this introductory contrast should not silently settle one school's metaphysics.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Distinguish changing appearances from what you seek as enduring truth."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What do you regard as enduring amid change?
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.