Shloka 32
Avatāra-kathā — The Puruṣa, the Many Incarnations, and Kṛṣṇa as Svayam Bhagavān
अत: परं यदव्यक्तमव्यूढगुणबृंहितम् । अदृष्टाश्रुतवस्तुत्वात्स जीवो यत्पुनर्भव: ॥ ३२ ॥
ataḥ paraṁ yad avyaktam avyūḍha-guṇa-bṛṁhitam adṛṣṭāśruta-vastutvāt sa jīvo yat punar-bhavaḥ
अतः परं यत् अव्यक्तम् अव्यूढगुणबृंहितम्; अदृष्टाश्रुतवस्तुत्वात् सः जीवः यत् पुनर्भवः।
As the gross cosmic manifestation is conceived as the gigantic body of the Lord, so also there is the conception of His subtle form, which is simply realized without being seen, heard or manifested. But in fact all these gross or subtle conceptions of the body are in relation with the living beings. The living being has his spiritual form beyond this gross material or subtle psychic existence. The gross body and psychic functions cease to act as soon as the living being leaves the visible gross body. In fact, we say that the living being has gone away because he is unseen and unheard. Even when the gross body is not acting when the living being is in sound sleep, we know that he is within the body by his breathing. So the living being’s passing away from the body does not mean that there is no existence of the living soul. It is there, otherwise how can he repeat his births again and again?
FAQs
This verse describes the avyakta as a subtle, unperceivable condition where the material modes (guṇas) remain present but not yet manifest—hence it is not grasped as a direct object of sight or hearing.
Because the jīva’s involvement with subtle material nature—pervaded by the guṇas—keeps the cycle of repeated birth continuing, even when gross forms are not manifest.
It encourages a seeker to look beyond merely changing external circumstances and address the subtle causes of bondage—by cultivating bhakti and detachment from guṇa-driven habits that perpetuate repeated suffering.