Verse 18.16

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 18.16:

तत्रैवं सति कर्तारम् आत्मानं केवलन् तु यः ।
पश्यत्य् अकृत-बुद्धित्वान् न स पश्यति दुर्मतिः ॥ १६ ॥

tatraivaṃ sati kartāram ātmānaṃ kevalan tu yaḥ |
paśyaty akṛta-buddhitvān na sa paśyati durmatiḥ || 16 ||

tatra–then; evam sati–although this is so; kartāram–doer; ātmānam–himself; kevalam–the only; tu–indeed; yaḥ–who; paśyati–considers; akṛta-buddhitvāt–due to impure intelligence; na–not; saḥ–he; paśyati–properly see; durmatiḥ–the foolish.

Although this is so, a foolish person whose intelligence is impure cannot properly understand this and considers that he alone performs all his actions.

Commentary: Sārārtha-Varṣiṇī Ṭīkā

(By Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura; the innermost intention of the commentary named ‘the shower of essential meanings’)

Śrī Bhagavān says that although these five causes are behind all action, he who sees the pure soul–the living entity who has no association with matter–as the only doer is understood to be foolish (durmatiḥ) due to impure intelligence. He does not see properly. Indeed, such an ignorant person is said to be blind.

Commentary: Sārārtha-Varṣiṇī Prakāśikā-vṛtti

(By Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja; the explanation that illuminates the commentary named Sārārtha-varṣiṇī)

An ignorant person cannot understand that a separate, individual entity known as Paramātmā is situated in his heart as a witness, controller and friend, regulating all his activities. Even though the body, the doer, the various endeavours and the senses are all material causes of action, the prominent cause is Paramātmā. Thus, one should see that Paramātmā, who is situated within the heart, is the supreme cause of action, not just that these four material causes accomplish an action. Those who are unable to see in this way think it is they who perform action, and thus they always remain agitated.