Clarity — Lesson 36
The perishable, imperishable, and the Supreme (Gita 15.16–18)
Verses
क्षरः सर्वाणि भूतानि कूटस्थोऽक्षर उच्यते ॥ १५.१६ ॥
उत्तमः पुरुषस्त्वन्यः परमात्मेत्युदाहृतः ।
यो लोकत्रयमाविश्य बिभर्त्यव्यय ईश्वरः ॥ १५.१७ ॥
यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि चोत्तमः ।
अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ १५.१८ ॥
Transliteration
dvāv imau puruṣau loke kṣaraś cākṣara eva ca
kṣaraḥ sarvāṇi bhūtāni kūṭastho'kṣara ucyate
uttamaḥ puruṣas tv anyaḥ paramātmety udāhṛtaḥ
yo loka-trayam āviśya bibharty avyaya īśvaraḥ
yasmāt kṣaram atīto'ham akṣarād api cottamaḥ
ato'smi loke vede ca prathitaḥ puruṣottamaḥ
Meaning
There are two aspects in this world: the perishable (changing) and the imperishable (unchanging). The perishable includes all beings, while the imperishable is the unchanging principle. Beyond both is the Supreme Self, which pervades and sustains everything. Because it transcends both, it is called the highest reality.
Key Words
- kṣara — perishable, changing
- akṣara — imperishable, unchanging
- puruṣaḥ — Self
- paramātmā — Supreme Self
- uttamaḥ — highest
- puruṣottamaḥ — the supreme reality
Teaching
Krishna gives a final and clear classification. The world of change — bodies, thoughts, experiences — is perishable. The witnessing consciousness associated with the individual appears unchanging. But even this distinction is transcended. The ultimate reality is beyond both. It is not limited by change, nor by any concept of individuality. It is the basis of both the changing and the unchanging. That is the true nature of the Self.
Connection to Clarity
Clarity culminates here. First, I see: I am not the changing body-mind. Then I recognize: I am the unchanging awareness. Finally, I understand: that awareness is not individual — it is the limitless reality itself. This removes all sense of limitation.
Reflection
What in my experience is constantly changing? What is the unchanging presence because of which all change is known?