Bhagavad Gita 13.29

Verse 13.29 from the Bhagavad Gita:

प्रकृत्यैव च कर्माणि क्रियमाणानि सर्वशः।
यः पश्यति तथात्मानमकर्तारं स पश्यति।। 29।।

The translation is:

“One sees the fact who sees that all actions are performed by nature alone, and that the Self is actionless.”

In this verse, the concept of action and inaction is explained in a deeper sense. It is stated that all actions are performed by nature (Prakriti) and that the true Self (Atman) is actionless. The individual self, or the ego who is identified with the body-mind mistakenly thinks that it is the doer of all actions. However, in reality, it is only the Gunas or the qualities of nature that are acting through the body-mind complex.

It is emphasized that the one who sees this truth realizes that they are not the doer of actions and thus attains liberation from Karma which is the cause of cycle of birth and death. Such a person sees the true Self, which is distinct from the body-mind complex, and becomes free from the bondage of karma.

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