Ātman

 

Bhagavad Gita

 15.10

Sanskrit (Chapter 15, Verse 10):

उत्क्रामन्तं स्थितं वापि भुञ्जानं वा गुणान्वितम् ।

विमूढा नानुपश्यन्ति पश्यन्ति ज्ञानचक्षुषः ॥

Transliteration:

utkrāmantaṁ sthitaṁ vāpi bhuñjānaṁ vā guṇānvitam

vimūḍhā nānupaśyanti paśyanti jñāna-cakṣuṣaḥ

Meaning (simple translation):

The deluded do not perceive the soul as it leaves the body, remains in the body, or enjoys the objects of the senses under the influence of the material qualities.

But those with the eye of knowledge can see.

What this verse is saying

In Chapter 15 (Purushottama Yoga), Krishna explains the nature of the soul (ātman).

This verse teaches:

• The soul enters, resides in, and leaves the body.
• It experiences the world through the senses.
• Most people (called vimūḍhāḥ — the bewildered) cannot perceive this subtle reality.
• Those with “jñāna-cakṣuṣaḥ” — the “eyes of knowledge” — can understand it.

Key idea

The verse draws a contrast:

The Deluded	The Wise
Identify only with the body	Understand the soul within
See only physical processes	Perceive the spiritual principle
Miss the subtle truth	See through knowledge

It’s about spiritual perception — not physical sight, but insight gained through wisdom and realization.

If you’d like, I can also explain how this verse connects to rebirth and karma in Chapter 15.