This is the inferior Prakriti, O mighty-armed (Arjuna); know thou as different from it My higher Prakriti (Nature), the very life-element, by which this world is upheld.
In simple words
Krishna reveals a deeper layer: "But Arjuna, beyond this material nature there is a higher nature of Mine — the life-force itself, the conscious energy that holds this entire universe together."
अपराlowerइयम्thisइतःfrom thisतुbutअन्याम्differentप्रकृतिम्natureविद्धिknowमेMyपराम्higherजीवभूताम्the very lifeelementमहाबाहोO mightyarmedययाby whichइदम्thisधार्यतेis upheld
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जगत्world
7.5 अपरा lower? इयम् this? इतः from this? तु but? अन्याम् different? प्रकृतिम् nature? विद्धि know? मे My? पराम् higher? जीवभूताम् the very lifeelement? महाबाहो O mightyarmed? यया by which? इदम् this? धार्यते is upheld? जगत् world.Commentary The eightfold Nature described in the previous verse is the inferior Nature. It constitutes the Kshetra or the field or matter. It is impure. It generates evil and causes bondage. But the superior Nature is pure. It is My very Self? Kshetrajna (knower of the field or Spirit) by which life is sustained? and that which enters within the whole world and upholds it. It is the very lifeelement or the principle of Selfconsciousness? by which this universe is sustained.
Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.
This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.
Modern
# BG 7.5
The eight-fold inferior nature is inert and material. Having described this, the Lord then reveals His superior nature, which is distinct from it. This superior nature is the conscious principle—the living essence—by which the body, mind, and intellect perform their respective functions as though they themselves possessed consciousness. It is only in the presence of this consciousness that the limiting adjuncts can operate; without it, they cannot function at all. Without consciousness, we could neither perceive the external material world nor experience the subtle inner realm of thought and reflection. It is this consciousness that sustains the entire universe. In its absence, our condition would become like that of stone—devoid of sentience and intelligence.
The Lord's teaching that the superior nature is the foundation of the world can be verified even from the perspective of material science. We dwell in our homes, which rest upon the earth. That land is part of a city; the city is part of a nation; and the nation rests upon the world. The world is surrounded by the waters of the ocean, whose existence depends upon the atmosphere. This atmosphere is but a part of the solar system. The entire universe exists within space, and space itself rests upon the conception of space that exists within the mind. The mind's foundation is the determination of intellect. And because the functions of intellect become knowable only through consciousness, it is this very consciousness that proves to be the foundation of the entire universe. It is the substratum of all existence.
In philosophy, the term "world" does not refer merely to what is perceived by the senses, but also encompasses all that is experienced through mind and intellect. Thus, external objects, emotions, and thoughts—all constitute the world. This entire universe is sustained and upheld by the conscious principle, the superior nature.