The Meaning of Prakriti in Bhagwat GitaPermalink

The Sanskrit word Prakriti or Prakruti has multiple meanings and is used in the Bhagavad Gita in different contexts. In the English language, we try to translate it to “Nature”. But, does this word really summarize the meaning of the Sanskrit word? To better understand, you need to look at these 25 slokas. You may not get a complete answer, but it will help you delve deeper and transcend existence.

Bhagwat Gita Slokas with a word PrakritiPermalink

1. न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् । कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः ॥3-5॥
2. प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः । अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते ॥3-27॥
3. प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु । तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत् ॥3-29॥
4. सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि । प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति ॥3-33॥
5. अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् । प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ॥4-6॥
6. भूमिरापोऽनलो वायुः खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च । अहङ्कार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिरष्टधा ॥7-4॥
7. अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम् । जीवभूतां महाबाहो ययेदं धार्यते जगत् ॥7-5॥
8. कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः । तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया ॥7-20॥
9. सर्वभूतानि कौन्तेय प्रकृतिं यान्ति मामिकाम् । कल्पक्षये पुनस्तानि कल्पादौ विसृजाम्यहम् ॥9-7॥
10. प्रकृतिं स्वामवष्टभ्य विसृजामि पुनः पुनः । भूतग्राममिमं कृत्स्नमवशं प्रकृतेर्वशात् ॥9-8॥
11. मयाध्यक्षेण प्रकृतिः सूयते सचराचरम् । हेतुनानेन कौन्तेय जगद्विपरिवर्तते ॥9-10॥
12. मोघाशा मोघकर्माणो मोघज्ञाना विचेतसः । राक्षसीमासुरीं चैव प्रकृतिं मोहिनीं श्रिताः ॥9-12॥
13. महात्मानस्तु मां पार्थ दैवीं प्रकृतिमाश्रिताः । भजन्त्यनन्यमनसो ज्ञात्वा भूतादिमव्ययम् ॥9-13॥
14. अर्जुन उवाच। दृष्ट्वेदं मानुषं रूपं तव सौम्यं जनार्दन । इदानीमस्मि संवृत्तः सचेताः प्रकृतिं गतः ॥11-51॥
15. अर्जुन उवाच। प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव क्षेत्रं क्षेत्रज्ञमेव च । एतद्वेदितुमिच्छामि ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं च केशव ॥13-1॥
16. प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव विद्ध्यनादी उभावपि । विकारांश्च गुणांश्चैव विद्धि प्रकृतिसम्भवान् ॥13-20॥
17. कार्यकारणकर्तृत्वे हेतुः प्रकृतिरुच्यते । पुरुषः सुखदुःखानां भोक्तृत्वे हेतुरुच्यते ॥13-21॥
18. पुरुषः प्रकृतिस्थो हि भुङ्क्ते प्रकृतिजान्गुणान् । कारणं गुणसङ्गोऽस्य सदसद्योनिजन्मसु ॥13-22॥
19. य एवं वेत्ति पुरुषं प्रकृतिं च गुणैः सह । सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि न स भूयोऽभिजायते ॥13-24॥
20. प्रकृत्यैव च कर्माणि क्रियमाणानि सर्वशः । यः पश्यति तथात्मानमकर्तारं स पश्यति ॥13-30॥
21. क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञयोरेवमन्तरं ज्ञानचक्षुषा । भूतप्रकृतिमोक्षं च ये विदुर्यान्ति ते परम् ॥13-35॥
22. सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसम्भवाः । निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम् ॥14-5॥
23. ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः । मनःषष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति ॥15-7॥
24. न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः । सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभिः स्यात्त्रिभिर्गुणैः ॥18-40॥
25. यदहङ्कारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे । मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति ॥18-59॥

Verse-by-Verse AnalysisPermalink

The word प्रकृति (prakriti) and its variations appear in multiple contexts throughout the Bhagavad Gita. Below, I analyze the provided verses to identify the sense in which this term is used in each case. The analysis reveals that “प्रकृति” carries nuanced meanings depending on the context, ranging from material nature to individual disposition and divine essence. Let’s examine each verse systematically.

3.5: न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् । कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: The term “प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः” translates to “by the qualities born of prakriti.”
• Meaning: Here, प्रकृति refers to material nature, the source of the three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas). These qualities compel all beings to act, suggesting that prakriti is the fundamental force of the material world driving action.
• Role of Prakrit in choice of actions.

3.27: प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः । अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतेः गुणैः” means “by the qualities of prakriti,” with actions attributed to these qualities, though the ego mistakenly claims doership.
• Meaning: प्रकृति denotes material nature, emphasizing its role as the origin of the gunas that perform all actions, distinct from the self.
• How ego mistkes itself as doer, however prakriti is the readl door.

3.29: प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु । तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत् ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः” means “those bewildered by the qualities of prakriti.”
• Meaning: प्रकृति is material nature, whose gunas delude people into attachment to material actions, reinforcing its role as the material substrate.
• Role of Prakriti in attachment and delusion.

3.33: सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि । प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “स्वस्याः प्रकृतेः” means “according to one’s own prakriti,” and “प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि” means “beings follow prakriti.”
• Meaning: Here, प्रकृति refers to individual nature or disposition, the inherent tendencies that guide behavior, even for the wise, indicating a personal, innate quality.
• How helpless are actions of an the individual in the face of prakriti.

4.6: अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् । प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिं स्वाम्” means “my own prakriti,” through which Krishna manifests using his maya.
• Meaning: प्रकृति suggests divine nature, Krishna’s own transcendental essence or power, distinct from material nature, used to appear in the world.
• How a realised being can use His Prakriti to manifest Maya and the Sansara around.

7.4: भूमिरापोऽनलो वायुः खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च । अहङ्कार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिरष्टधा ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिरष्टधा” refers to the “eightfold prakriti” comprising earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect, and ego.
• Meaning: प्रकृति is material nature, explicitly defined as the tangible and subtle elements constituting the physical world.
• What are the consituents of Prakriti?

7.5: अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम् । जीवभूतां महाबाहो ययेदं धार्यते जगत् ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: Krishna distinguishes a lower prakriti (previous verse) from “अन्यां प्रकृतिं पराम्,” a higher prakriti, identified as the living entity (jiva).
• Meaning: प्रकृति here is twofold: the prior verse’s material nature and now a higher, spiritual nature (the jiva), supporting the world’s existence.
• Prakriti is twofold, material and spiritual.

7.20: कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः । तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृत्या स्वया” means “by their own prakriti.”
• Meaning: प्रकृति indicates individual nature, the personal tendencies or desires that lead people to worship other deities.
• Role of Prakriti in worship

9.7: सर्वभूतानि कौन्तेय प्रकृतिं यान्ति मामिकाम् । कल्पक्षये पुनस्तानि कल्पादौ विसृजाम्यहम् ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिं मामिकाम्” means “my prakriti,” into which all beings merge at the end of a cosmic cycle.
• Meaning: प्रकृति is the unmanifest state of material nature, a latent form under Krishna’s control, where creation dissolves and re-emerges.
• Prakriti in which everything dissolves and re-emerges.

9.8: प्रकृतिं स्वामवष्टभ्य विसृजामि पुनः पुनः । भूतग्राममिमं कृत्स्नमवशं प्रकृतेर्वशात् ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिं स्वाम्” and “प्रकृतेर्वशात्” refer to Krishna’s prakriti and its control over beings.
• Meaning: प्रकृति is material nature, the creative force Krishna uses to manifest beings, who remain subject to its influence.
• Prakriti which is in control of self realized beings.

9.10: मयाध्यक्षेण प्रकृतिः सूयते सचराचरम् । हेतुनानेन कौन्तेय जगद्विपरिवर्तते ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिः सूयते” means “prakriti produces” under Krishna’s supervision.
• Meaning: प्रकृति is the creative force of material nature, generating the universe’s moving and non-moving entities.
• Who guides Prakriti to create moving and non-moving stuff.

9.12: मोघाशा मोघकर्माणो मोघज्ञाना विचेतसः । राक्षसीमासुरीं चैव प्रकृतिं मोहिनीं श्रिताः ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिं मोहिनीं” refers to a “delusive prakriti” of demonic and monstrous qualities.
• Meaning: प्रकृति denotes individual nature or disposition, specifically a lower, deluded tendency aligned with ignorance.
• Prakriti can be delusive.

9.13: महात्मानस्तु मां पार्थ दैवीं प्रकृतिमाश्रिताः । भजन्त्यनन्यमनसो ज्ञात्वा भूतादिमव्ययम् ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “दैवीं प्रकृतिम्” means “divine prakriti.”
• Meaning: प्रकृति is divine nature, the elevated spiritual essence that great souls adopt to worship Krishna.
• Prakriti can be divine, free from delussion.

11.51: दृष्ट्वेदं मानुषं रूपं तव सौम्यं जनार्दन । इदानीमस्मि संवृत्तः सचेताः प्रकृतिं गतः ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिं गतः” means “returned to prakriti.”
• Meaning: प्रकृति refers to Arjuna’s normal or natural state, a return to his usual condition after witnessing Krishna’s cosmic form.
• Prakriti in different forms or states

13.1: प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव क्षेत्रं क्षेत्रज्ञमेव च । एतद्वेदितुमिच्छामि ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं च केशव ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिं पुरुषं” pairs prakriti with purusha.
• Meaning: प्रकृति is material nature, contrasted with purusha (consciousness), part of a philosophical duality Arjuna seeks to understand.
• Duality of Prakriti and Purusha like Kshetra and Kshetrajna or Object of knowledge and Knower.

13.20: प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव विद्ध्यनादी उभावपि । विकारांश्च गुणांश्चैव विद्धि प्रकृतिसम्भवान् ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिं” is the source of modifications and gunas, alongside purusha.
• Meaning: प्रकृति is material nature, eternal and the origin of the world’s changes and qualities.
• Prakriti as a force of change.

13.21: कार्यकारणकर्तृत्वे हेतुः प्रकृतिरुच्यते । पुरुषः सुखदुःखानां भोक्तृत्वे हेतुरुच्यते ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिरुच्यते” identifies prakriti as the cause of body and instruments.
• Meaning: प्रकृति is material nature, responsible for causation, while purusha experiences its effects.
• Prakriti is effect and cause (Karya and Karna), but Bhokta is Purusha. Keep in mind, non-dualistic interpretations of Vedanta says Purusha and Ishwara is same and Ishwara is Akarta and Abhokta (non-doer, non-enoyer).

13.22: पुरुषः प्रकृतिस्थो हि भुङ्क्ते प्रकृतिजान्गुणान् । कारणं गुणसङ्गोऽस्य सदसद्योनिजन्मसु ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिस्थो” and “प्रकृतिजान्गुणान्” indicate purusha residing in prakriti, enjoying its gunas.
• Meaning: प्रकृति is material nature, the field where purusha interacts with the gunas, affecting rebirth.
• Where does Purusha live and what it does?

13.24: य एवं वेत्ति पुरुषं प्रकृतिं च गुणैः सह । सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि न स भूयोऽभिजायते ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिं च गुणैः सह” means “prakriti with its gunas.”
• Meaning: प्रकृति is material nature, knowledge of which, alongside purusha, leads to liberation.
• Knowledge of Prakriti and Purusha leads to liberation.

13.30: प्रकृत्यैव च कर्माणि क्रियमाणानि सर्वशः । यः पश्यति तथात्मानमकर्तारं स पश्यति ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृत्यैव” means “by prakriti alone.”
• Meaning: प्रकृति is material nature, the sole performer of actions, distinct from the actionless self.
• Prakriti is the doer and Purusha is non-doer.

13.35: क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञयोरेवमन्तरं ज्ञानचक्षुषा । भूतप्रकृतिमोक्षं च ये विदुर्यान्ति ते परम् ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “भूतप्रकृतिमोक्षं” means “liberation from the prakriti of beings.”
• Meaning: प्रकृति is material nature, from which liberation is sought through knowledge.

14.5: सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसम्भवाः । निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम् ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिसम्भवाः” means “born of prakriti.”
• Meaning: प्रकृति is material nature, the source of the gunas that bind the soul to the body.

15.7: ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः । मनःषष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिस्थानि” means “situated in prakriti.”
• Meaning: प्रकृति is material nature, the domain of the senses and mind that the jiva engages with.
• Mind and other 5 sense of knowledge transact with Prakriti.

18.40: न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः । सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभिः स्यात्त्रिभिर्गुणैः ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिजैः” means “born of prakriti.”
• Meaning: प्रकृति is material nature, producing the gunas that pervade all beings.

18.59: यदहङ्कारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे । मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति ॥Permalink

• Text Analysis: “प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति” means “your prakriti will compel you.”
• Meaning: प्रकृति refers to individual nature, Arjuna’s inherent disposition driving him to act despite resistance.

Summary of MeaningsPermalink

Based on the analysis, प्रकृति in the Bhagavad Gita is used in the following senses:

1. Material Nature:
   • The physical and subtle world, including elements and gunas, driving actions and phenomena.
   • Verses: 3.5, 3.27, 3.29, 7.4, 9.7, 9.8, 9.10, 13.20, 13.21, 13.22, 13.30, 13.35, 14.5, 15.7, 18.40.
2. Individual Nature or Disposition:
   • A person’s inherent tendencies or character influencing their behavior.
   • Verses: 3.33, 7.20, 9.12, 18.59.
3. Divine Nature:
   • A higher, spiritual essence, often associated with Krishna or liberated souls.
   • Verses: 4.6, 9.13.
4. Normal or Natural State:
   • One’s usual condition or state of being.
   • Verse: 11.51.
5. Unmanifest State:
   • The latent form of nature where creation dissolves at the end of a cycle.
   • Verse: 9.7.
6. Creative Force:
   • The generative power producing the universe under divine oversight.
   • Verse: 9.10.
7. Higher Spiritual Nature:
   • The jiva or living entity, distinct from the lower material prakriti.
   • Verse: 7.5.
8. In Relation to Purusha:
   • Paired with purusha, representing material cause versus consciousness.
   • Verses: 13.1, 13.20, 13.21, 13.22, 13.24.

ConclusionPermalink

In the Bhagavad Gita, प्रकृति predominantly signifies material nature, encompassing the physical world and its qualities (gunas). However, it also flexibly denotes individual nature, divine nature, a normal state, or an unmanifest state, depending on the context. Its frequent pairing with purusha underscores its role in the dualistic framework of matter and spirit. This multifaceted usage reflects the Gita’s philosophical depth, integrating cosmology, psychology, and spirituality.

Translation and Commentry on Bhagwat GitaPermalink

is available at https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/srimad/

• Hindi Translation By Swami Ramsukhdas
• Hindi Translation By Swami Tejomayananda
• Hindi Translation Of Sri Shankaracharya’s Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Harikrishnadas Goenka
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Shankaracharya
• Hindi Commentary By Swami Chinmayananda
• Hindi Commentary By Swami Ramsukhdas
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Abhinavgupta
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Ramanujacharya
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Anandgiri
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Jayatirtha
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Madhvacharya
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Vallabhacharya
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Madhusudan Saraswati
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Sridhara Swami
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Vedantadeshikacharya Venkatanatha
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Purushottamji
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Neelkanth
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Dhanpati
• English Commentary By Swami Sivananda
• English Translation By Swami Sivananda
• English Translation By Purohit Swami
• English Translation By Swami Gambirananda
• English Translation Of Sri Shankaracharya By Swami Gambirananda
• English Translation By Dr. S. Sankaranarayan
• English Translation of Abhinavgupta’s Sanskrit Commentary By Dr. S. Sankaranarayan
• English Translation of Ramanujacharya’s Sanskrit Commentary By Swami Adidevananda
• English Translation By Swami Adidevananda