Gita 13.22: The Supreme Soul (Paramatma) in the Body

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The Third Resident: The Supreme Soul within the Body | Gita 13.22

Most people believe that "God is one" and resides in the heart. While true, the Gita clarifies which God is being referred to. In Verse 13.22, the speaker defines the Supreme Soul (Paramatma) as a separate, superior presence that dwells alongside the individual soul.

I. Defining the "Param Purush" (The Supreme Person)

The Verse (13.22):

"Upadrashta-anumanta cha bhartaa bhokta maheshwarah | Paramatmeti chapi ukto dehe’smin purushah parah ||"

The Translation:

"In this body, there is also a transcendental Consumer (in the form of the soul), but the Supreme Person is the Witness (Upadrashta), the Permitter (Anumanta), the Sustainer (Bhartaa), and the Great Lord (Maheshwarah). He is called the Supreme Soul (Paramatma)."

II. The Four Roles of the Supreme God

The speaker uses four specific titles to describe the Supreme God’s relationship with your body:

1. Upadrashta (The Witness): Unlike the soul who gets "lost" in emotions, the Supreme God remains a silent witness to everything. He sees what the soul and Kaal are doing.
2. Anumanta (The Permitter): He is the ultimate authority. While Kaal manages the "Law of Karma," the Supreme God is the one who permits the soul to either stay in the trap or exit toward Satlok.
3. Bhartaa (The Sustainer): He is the "Maintenance Manager." In Gita 15.17, it is confirmed that this Supreme Soul enters the three worlds and sustains everyone.
4. Maheshwarah (The Great Lord): This title clarifies that He is the "God of all Gods"—the boss of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and even Kaal Brahm.

III. "Purushah Parah": The God who is "Other"

The most important phrase in this verse is "Purushah Parah", which means "The Other Person" or "The Transcendental Person."

• The Contrast: If the speaker (Kaal) were the Supreme God, he would have said, "I am the witness." Instead, he says, "In this body, there is another Supreme Person."
• The Location: Both the Soul and the Supreme Soul stay in the same body (like two birds on a tree), but they are not the same. One is suffering the results of Karma, while the other is untouched by it.

IV. Why This Matters for the Seeker

Understanding Verse 13.22 is the key to escaping the "Field."

• If you worship the Soul, you remain in the cycle of birth.
• If you worship the Monitor (Kaal), you remain under the Law of Karma.
• But if you identify and take refuge in the Maheshwarah (The Supreme God Kabir) mentioned in this verse, you attain complete liberation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Maheshwarah another name for Lord Shiva?

While Shiva is often called Maheshwar, in the context of Gita 13.22, the speaker is referring to the "Greatest Lord" who is above the Trinity. Lord Shiva is a "Guna" (Tamas), whereas this Maheshwarah is "Parah" (Transcendental/Beyond Gunas).

2. Why does the Supreme God only "Witness" and not stop our suffering?

The Supreme God respects the "Law of Karma" that the soul has agreed to under Kaal. He remains a Witness until the soul decides to leave the "Field" and asks for His help through a Tattvadarshi Saint. At that point, He becomes the Anumanta (Permitter) of the soul's escape.

3. How do I connect with this "Third Entity"?

Through the "Eye of Knowledge" (Gita 13.34). Once you realize that there is a power higher than your mind and higher than the master of the 21 universes, you stop struggling with the "Field" and start the journey back to Satlok.