Bhagavad Gita 15.7 — The Soul as an Eternal Fragment of the Divine
ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः ।
मनःषष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति ॥ १५.७ ॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
An eternal fragment of Myself, having become the individual soul in the world of living beings, draws to itself the senses, with the mind as the sixth, which abide in material nature.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| mama | My |
| eva | only, indeed |
| aṁśhaḥ | a fragment, a part |
| jīvaloke | in the world of living beings |
| jīvabhūtaḥ | having become the individual soul |
| sanātanaḥ | eternal |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| manaḥṣhaṣhṭhāni | with the mind as the sixth |
| indriyāṇi | the senses |
| prakṛitisthāni | situated in material nature |
| karṣhati | draws, struggles with, pulls toward itself |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| mama | My | manaḥṣhaṣhṭhāni | with the mind as the sixth |
| eva | only, indeed | indriyāṇi | the senses |
| aṁśhaḥ | a fragment, a part | prakṛitisthāni | situated in material nature |
| jīvaloke | in the world of living beings | karṣhati | draws, struggles with, pulls toward itself |
| jīvabhūtaḥ | having become the individual soul | ||
| sanātanaḥ | eternal | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna reveals the true identity of the individual soul. The jīva is not a separate, accidental creature but an eternal fragment of the Lord Himself, which has become entangled with the mind and senses of material nature.
Essence
The Soul as an Eternal Part of the Lord
After speaking of the tree of saṁsāra and the supreme abode, Lord Krishna now explains why the soul is in the tree at all, and where it truly belongs.
Mamaiva aṁśaḥ (a part of Myself alone): The word aṁśa means part or fragment. Lord Krishna says that the individual soul is His own. Just as a spark belongs to fire and a ray belongs to the sun, the jīva shares the Lord's nature of consciousness and bliss. It is not a product of matter.
Sanātanaḥ (eternal): The soul is without beginning and without end. Birth and death touch the body, not the ātmā.
Jīvaloke jīvabhūtaḥ (having become a living soul in the world of living beings): In the world of change, the eternal part appears as an individual living being, identified with a particular body and personality.
Manaḥṣaṣṭhānīndriyāṇi prakṛtisthāni karṣati (it draws the five senses and the mind as the sixth, abiding in prakṛti): Here lies the cause of bondage. The soul, forgetting its origin, becomes preoccupied with the mind and five senses, which belong to prakṛti. It begins to pull and struggle with them, seeking happiness in sense objects. This struggle is the tree growing within.
The verse completes the picture of the chapter's opening: the roots are above in the Supreme, the soul is a part of that Supreme, and its suffering arises only because it has forgotten its home and identified with the instruments of nature.
Message for Everyday Life (Remembering Who You Are)
Your worth is not borrowed: We often judge ourselves by roles, achievements, and others' opinions. This verse reminds us that our deepest identity is eternal and sacred, and it does not rise or fall with outer circumstances.
Practical approach: When the mind and senses begin to pull you in many directions, ask gently, 'Who is it that is being pulled?' This reflection restores perspective and begins the journey back home.
The Soul as an Eternal Part of the Lord
After speaking of the tree of saṁsāra and the supreme abode, Lord Krishna now explains why the soul is in the tree at all, and where it truly belongs.
Mamaiva aṁśaḥ (a part of Myself alone): The word aṁśa means part or fragment. Lord Krishna says that the individual soul is His own. Just as a spark belongs to fire and a ray belongs to the sun, the jīva shares the Lord's nature of consciousness and bliss. It is not a product of matter.
Sanātanaḥ (eternal): The soul is without beginning and without end. Birth and death touch the body, not the ātmā.
Jīvaloke jīvabhūtaḥ (having become a living soul in the world of living beings): In the world of change, the eternal part appears as an individual living being, identified with a particular body and personality.
Manaḥṣaṣṭhānīndriyāṇi prakṛtisthāni karṣati (it draws the five senses and the mind as the sixth, abiding in prakṛti): Here lies the cause of bondage. The soul, forgetting its origin, becomes preoccupied with the mind and five senses, which belong to prakṛti. It begins to pull and struggle with them, seeking happiness in sense objects. This struggle is the tree growing within.
The verse completes the picture of the chapter's opening: the roots are above in the Supreme, the soul is a part of that Supreme, and its suffering arises only because it has forgotten its home and identified with the instruments of nature.
Message for Everyday Life (Remembering Who You Are)
Your worth is not borrowed: We often judge ourselves by roles, achievements, and others' opinions. This verse reminds us that our deepest identity is eternal and sacred, and it does not rise or fall with outer circumstances.
Practical approach: When the mind and senses begin to pull you in many directions, ask gently, 'Who is it that is being pulled?' This reflection restores perspective and begins the journey back home.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has revealed that the soul is an eternal part of Him that struggles with the mind and senses. The next verse explains how the soul carries these senses and mind from one body to another at the time of death, just as the wind carries fragrance from its source.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
You are more than your thoughts and senses.
A fragment of the Divine needs no external proof of value.
Master the mind, and the senses fall into order.
The same light shines in every living being.
The body changes; the one who inhabits it remains.
The inner battle is the soul trying to remember itself.
You were never separate from the source.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'aṁśha' (a fragment, a part) mean in this verse?
Why is the soul called 'sanātana' (eternal)?
What is meant by 'manaḥṣhaṣhṭhāni' (the mind as the sixth sense)?
What does 'karṣhati' (draws or struggles with) tell us about life in the world?
How does this verse help in daily life?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: