Shloka 31
Uddhava Meets the Gopīs: Bhramara-gītā and Kṛṣṇa’s Message of Separation
आत्मा ज्ञानमय: शुद्धो व्यतिरिक्तोऽगुणान्वय: । सुषुप्तिस्वप्नजाग्रद्भिर्मायावृत्तिभिरीयते ॥ ३१ ॥
ātmā jñāna-mayaḥ śuddho vyatirikto ’guṇānvayaḥ suṣupti-svapna-jāgradbhir māyā-vṛttibhir īyate
ആത്മാവ് ശുദ്ധ ജ്ഞാനസ്വരൂപമാണ്; ജഡവസ്തുക്കളിൽ നിന്ന് വ്യത്യസ്തവും ഗുണബന്ധങ്ങളിൽ അകപ്പെടാത്തതുമാണ്. എങ്കിലും ജാഗ്രത്, സ്വപ്നം, സുഷുപ്തി എന്ന മായാവൃത്തികളിലൂടെ അവനെ അനുഭവിക്കാം.
It is clearly stated here that the soul, ātmā, is constituted of pure knowledge, pure consciousness, and is thus ontologically distinct from the material nature. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī points out that the word ātmā may also be taken to mean “the Supreme Soul, Lord Kṛṣṇa.” Since the Lord has just explained in the previous verses that all material phenomena are expansions of Himself, the phrase māyā-vṛttibhir īyate indicates that by studying this world deeply we will come to the perception of God. From this point of view also, the gopīs were advised not to lament.
FAQs
This verse says the Ātmā is pure consciousness and separate from the material modes, but it is described as if connected to waking, dream, and deep sleep due to māyā’s influence.
In the context of Uddhava’s teachings, this philosophical point clarifies that the soul is not truly changed by material experience; rather, māyā makes the changeless Self appear conditioned.
By observing that thoughts and identities shift across waking and dream, one can detach from temporary mental narratives and cultivate steady spiritual identity as the conscious Self, supporting bhakti and inner clarity.