141. Interplay of Energy and Matter


Life is an interplay of energy and matter. It all began with energy and matter formed subsequently at different stages. The combination of molecules of matter gives rise to different types of compounds with varying properties resulting in immense diversity. One such combination is the physical bodies of life forms, which sustain themselves on energy derived from food. Some life forms like plants, know how to make food from sunlight and other living beings survive on the food made by them. In a nutshell, life is a game of energy and matter.

This context would help us to understand some words used by Krishna like Brahma, Karma, Adhyatma, Adhibhutam, Adhidaivam and Adhiyajnah (7.29 and 7.30). Arjuna wanted to know about them (8.1 and 8.2) and Krishna replies, “Adhibhutam is perishable nature; Adhidaivam is the purush (residing in Pura i.e. city) and I am the Adhiyajnah here in the body” (8.4).

Adhibhutam is the matter or ‘form’ which gets perished in time; Adhidaivam is like ‘formless’ energy present in the body; and Adhiyajnah makes this play possible like a director of a drama, Krishna being that director.

Krishna says, “separation (sacrifice) of cosmic energy capable of creation (bhuta-bhava-udbhava-karo-visargah) is called karma” (8.3). Energy is essential for anything to be done. Karma is the drawing of the energy by life forms (matter) for their sustenance. Essentially, karma is the play of energy which brings life to inert matter. The effects of this interplay are what we perceive as karma-phal.

Krishna says ‘swabhaav’ (intrinsic nature) is Adhyatma (8.3). For example, silence is our ‘swabhaav’, while languages are acquired. Swabhaav is what remains when we shed the ‘borrowed’. The essence is that while we acquire skills and possessions, we shouldn’t let them lead us into comparisons or define who we are.


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