Chapter 15 · Purushottama Yoga - The Yoga of the Supreme PersonKrishna
Verse 16
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 15, श्लोक 16
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
द्वाविमौ पुरुषौ लोके क्षरश्चाक्षर एव च।
क्षरः सर्वाणि भूतानि कूटस्थोऽक्षर उच्यते॥१६॥
Transliteration
Dvav-Imau Purushau Loke Ksharash-Cha-Akshara Eva Cha.
Ksharah Sarvani Bhutani Kutastho'kshara Uchyate.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
द्वौdvautwo
इमौimauthese
पुरुषौpurushaubeings/persons
लोकेlokein the world
क्षरःksharahthe perishable
अक्षरःaksharahthe imperishable
क्षरःksharahthe perishable
सर्वाणि भूतानिsarvani bhutaniall beings
कूटस्थःkutasthahthe unchanging
अक्षरःaksharahthe imperishable
उच्यतेuchyateis called
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
इस लोक में दो पुरुष हैं — क्षर (नाशवान) और अक्षर (अविनाशी)। सब भूत (प्राणी) क्षर हैं, और कूटस्थ (माया/जीवात्मा) अक्षर कहा जाता है।
English Translation
There are two Purushas in this world — the perishable and the imperishable. All beings are perishable; the unchanging one is called imperishable.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna introduces the framework of three Purushas. The perishable (Kshara) refers to all material beings that undergo change and destruction. The imperishable (Akshara) refers to the unchanging principle — interpreted as either the collective totality of souls or the unmanifest Prakriti (Maya). This dual classification sets up the revelation of the third and highest Purusha in the following verses.