Chapter 13, Verse 33 (Bhagavad Gita 13.33)
Sanskrit Shloka
यथा सर्वगतं सौक्ष्म्यादाकाशं नोपलिप्यते।सर्वत्रावस्थितो देहे तथाऽऽत्मा नोपलिप्यते
Transliteration
yathā sarva-gataṁ saukṣhmyād ākāśhaṁ nopalipyate sarvatrāvasthito dehe tathātmā nopalipyate
Word Meanings
yathā—as; sarva-gatam—all-pervading; saukṣhmyāt—due to subtlety; ākāśham—the space; na—not; upalipyate—is contaminated; sarvatra—everywhere; avasthitaḥ—situated; dehe—the body; tathā—similarly; ātmā—the soul; na—not; upalipyate—is contaminated
Translation
As the all-pervading ether, due to its subtle nature, does not mix with anything, so the Self, though situated within the body, remains untainted.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound revelation, Bhagwan Shri Krishna explains the transcendental nature of the soul to Arjuna. Just as the vast sky encompasses everything yet remains untouched by the qualities of the objects within it, the eternal Self remains distinct from the physical body it inhabits. Shri Krishna teaches that while the body undergoes birth, death, and suffering, the soul remains pure, unchanging, and unaffected by material actions. By internalizing this wisdom, a devotee can detach from worldly disturbances and fix their consciousness upon their divine essence. Through this understanding, Shri Krishna invites the seeker to attain liberation (moksha) by realizing their true, untainted identity in Him.