Living Entity or Soul as observer

[BVKS Sanga]

From:	Utkarsh Mehta
Date:	16 May 2026 7:41:13 pm
Subject:	Living Entity or Soul as observer

Pranam Guru Maharaj and all devotees,

Hare Krishna

In routine life I and people in general do face problems and most of the time in the thought process, I have used and seen others using thoughts like, 'observe myself'/'observe yourself' 'or 'observe what is happening in your mind or body'.  

If I am a spirit soul then, it seems to me that the above phrases try to teach me a point that 'soul is also an observer or I am also an observer.

- basis reading on BG 13.23 i understood 'supersoul' as overseer

(13.23 Yet in this body there is another, a transcendental enjoyer, who is the Lord, the supreme proprietor, who exists as the overseer and permitter, and who is known as the Supersoul) 

- here I took the meaning of 'overseer' and 'observer' as same

- Hence, I developed an understanding that the term 'observer' should be reserved to be used in connection with 'supersoul' and not for 'soul'.

- Accordingly, in routine thought processes I should not use the term 'observer' for myself.  

-  But then, what is that word or philosophical point which I am supposed to take shelter during my routine thought process for seeing "within" or doing introspection etc.. this thought i am unable to express clearly in writing. 

- I understand that I (soul) have to see with the eyes of knowledge i.e. which is received from Guru and Shastra (my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge - jñānāñjana-śalākayā cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena). 

- I am unable to decode if seeing with the eyes of knowledge is an 'observer' in a limited sense.  i.e. same in quality with supersoul but not in quantity.

Kindly help to understand this or guide me if this point is not that relevant for advancement.

Best regards,

 Utkarsh Mehta

[BVKS Sanga]

From "Shyamananda Dasa" 

To "BVKS Sanga"

Date 19-05-2026 16:06:24

Subject Re: Living Entity or Soul as observer

Param Vijayate Sri Krishna Sankirtanam 

Pranams Utkarshji, Srila Prabhupada ki Jaya!

This is a little technical question and it is understandable since the 13th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita is highly philosophical and technical. There are different levels of understanding the verses of Bhagavad Gita. On a gross material level while differentiating the body and the soul the jiva is considered the drsta or seer since the gross eye cannot see without the presence of the soul in the body. On a subtle material level the soul is considered the seer in the form of his mentality or philosophy etc. Therefore philosophy is called darshana or vision in sastras. And on the ultimate devotional level the soul is considered the drsya or seen. These 3 visions are called charma chaksu, jnana chaksu and prema chaksu. So even in the ultimate level the jiva sees but his vision is embued with love for Kṛṣṇa and in that vision everything including himself exists solely for the purpose of pleasing Kṛṣṇa.

Hare Kṛṣṇa!

dasnudasa,

Shyamananda dasa brahmacari