In Bhagavad Gita 13.32, Krishna says that being beginningless and free of qualities, this imperishable Supreme Self, though dwelling in the body, neither acts nor is stained.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अनादित्वान्निर्गुणत्वात्
परमात्मायमव्ययः
शरीरस्थोऽपि कौन्तेय
न करोति न लिप्यते ॥ १३-३२ ॥
anāditvānnirguṇatvāt
paramātmāyamavyayaḥ
śarīrastho’pi kaunteya
na karoti na lipyate
English transliteration anaaditvaannirgunatvaat
paramaatmaayamavyayah
shareerastho’pi kaunteya
na karoti na lipyate ॥ 13.32 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Being without beginning and free from the gunas, this imperishable Supreme Self, though dwelling in the body, O son of Kunti, neither acts nor is tainted.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अनादित्वात् anāditvāt | being without beginning |
| निर्गुणत्वात् nirguṇatvāt | being free from the guṇas |
| परमात्मा paramātmā | the Supreme Self |
| अयम् ayam | this |
| अव्ययः avyayaḥ | imperishable |
| शरीरस्थः śarīrasthaḥ | dwelling in the body śarīra (body) + sthaḥ (dwelling) |
| अपि api | though |
| कौन्तेय kaunteya | O son of Kuntī |
| न na | not |
| करोति karoti | acts |
| न na | not |
| लिप्यते lipyate | is tainted |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–nā–dit–vān–nir–gu–ṇat–vāt– 8 syllables a-naa-dit-vaan-nir-gu-nat-vaat-
- pa–ra–māt–mā–ya–mav–ya–yaḥ | 8 syllables pa-ra-maat-maa-ya-mav-ya-yah
- śa–rī–ras–tho–‘pi kaun–te–ya 8 syllables sha-ree-ras-tho-‘pi kaun-te-ya
- na ka–ro–ti na lip–ya–te || 13-32 8 syllables na ka-ro-ti na lip-ya-te
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 13 Verse 32
Context
Krishna explains the purity of the Self (13.32–13.34).
Meaning
The paramātmā is anādi, beginningless, and nirguṇa, beyond the qualities. Although it dwells in the body, it does not act, and is not lipta, stained, by the actions of body and mind.
Our deepest Self is always pure, whatever the body and mind do. This is a source of great hope: our true nature is never damaged.
In Practice
Remind yourself today that, beneath every mistake, your deepest Self remains pure.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 13: Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga (The Field and the Knower of the Field). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.