Chapter 13The Individual Consciousness and The Ultimate ConsciousnessVerse 31

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Anvaya

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Commentaries of the Four Authorized Vaisnava Sampradayas

as confirmed in the Garga Samhita Canto 10, Chapter 61, Verses 23, 24, 25, 26
Rudra Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Visnuswami

Sridhara Swami's Commentary

Since all jivas or embodied beings emanate from prakriti or the material substratum pervading physical existence there is no difference between them in substance at the root level. Therefore there is absolutely no difference between atmas as the atma precedes this root level. One who perceives this inherent non-difference between atmas regardless of diversity of form achieves the realisation of the brahman or the spiritual substratum pervading all existence. This inherent non-difference applies to all things in creation animate and inanimate which manifest again after the pralaya or periodic universal dissolution as they were before and commence their emanation into prakriti once more. Realising this one realises the brahman.

Brahma Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Madhvacarya

Madhvacarya's Commentary

The word eka-stham meaning situated in the single material nature. This is singular and denotes the Supreme Lord Krishna because He is all pervading throughout all creation. One who sees all jivas or embodied beings regardless of form or species as being part of prakkriti or the material substratum pervading physical existence which is a modification of the Supreme Lord and can realise the difference and gradation between all three; such a person experiences direct realisation of the brahman or spiritual substratum pervading all existence.

Sri Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Ramanuja

Ramanuja's Commentary

Lord Krishna is stating that one must realizes that all the diversity of forms throughout creation is manifested by the medium of prakriti or the material substratum pervading physical existence which gives rise to unlimited bodies and their correlating senses. All jivas or embodied beings whether demigods, humans or animals are constituted of the dual natures of purusa the supreme spirit and prakriti. The compound word eka-stham meaning situated in one refers to the singularity of prakriti which the ksetra or sphere of activity exists within. The word vistaram meaning expansion refers to the variegated myriads of differentiated existences in successive form manifestations such as children, grandchildren, great grandchildren all uniquely emanating from the same principle of prakriti. Whosoever understands that all external appearing differences have their origin in prakriti and not in purusa or the supreme spirit nor paramatma the supreme soul; such a person attains the realization of the brahman or spiritual substratum pervading all existence.

Kumara Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Nimbaditya

Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary

Thus by irrefutably establishing the fact of the atma or immortal soul as existing equally within the etheric heart of each and every living entity and the reality that paramatma or the Supreme Soul is residing equally within the etheric heart of all living entities simultaneously; Lord Krishna categorically refuted any and all conceptions that different shapes and forms of the physical body was relevant to this. Now He confirms that prakriti or the material substratum pervading physical existence is the source of all variegated species and forms of the physical bodies of the jivas or embodied beings. When one can see and understand that all jivas in material existence are in possession of the atma whether they are demigods, human or animal, etc. and are all rooted in the same absolute reality and appear only as different manifestations of the same absolute nature expanded at the commencement of creation. At that very moment one achieves infinite knowledge and realisation of the brahman or the spiritual substratum pervading all existence.

Thus ends commentaries of chapter 13, verse 31 of the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita.

Verse 31


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