Verse 15.16 : Purusottama Yoga "The Supreme Person"
Verse 16 of 20
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The Translation
“There are two kinds of beings in this world: the perishable (Kshara) and the imperishable (Akshara). All living beings are the perishable, and the changeless soul is called the imperishable.”
Commentary & Insights
Krishna introduces the core philosophical framework of the 'Three Purushas', dividing all existence into two initial categories: the perishable and the imperishable.
Practical Application
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Observe the changes in your body and thoughts today (*kṣaraḥ*), and rest in the quiet, unchanging witness (*akṣaraḥ*) that observes them.
Reflections & Notes
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Self-Reflection Prompts
- In your life, what parts of your identity belong to the Kshara (changing body, thoughts) and what parts belong to the Akshara (silent, unchanging observer)?
- Why is the unchanging witness described as 'kūṭastha' (rock-like or standing at the peak)?
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15.16
द्वाविमौ पुरुषौ लोके क्षरश्चाक्षर एव च
Shankara comments that Kshara represents the entire sphere of changing phenomena, from the physical body to cosmic elements. Akshara is the Maya-shakti or the seed of Samsara which is relatively imperishable compared to physical forms, or the individual soul that serves as the base for change.