14. These two, the Great One and the Kshetragña, who are closely united with the elements, pervade him who resides in the multiform created beings.
14. The term mahân, 'the Great One,' is referred by Medh., Gov., Kull., Nâr., Râgh. to the Gîva mentioned in the preceding verse, and hence is explained by each in accordance with the view expressed on verse 13. Bhûtasampriktau, 'closely united with the elements' (Medh., Gov., Kull.), or 'enveloped by the elements' (Râgh.), means according to Nâr. 'united with the Bhûtâtman.' Sthitam tam vyâpya tishthatah, 'pervade him who resides,' i. e. 'pervade ' (Gov.), or 'rest on' (Kull.), or 'conceal through illusion' (Nâr.) him, i. e. ' the Paramâtman, the Supreme Soul' (Gov., Kull., Nâr.), 'who resides in all created beings' (Gov., Nâr.) 'as the witness' (Kull., Nâr.). Gov. adds 'or (the expression vyâpya tishthatah) "they pervade" is used because the Supreme Soul pervades everything.' This latter explanation probably refers to Medh.'s rendering, according to which the verse must be translated 'Those two, the Great One and the Knower of the Field, who are closely united, rest on him who resides in the multiform created beings, pervading (them).' Medh. expressly declares that tishthatah is to be taken as a transitive verb (sarvakarmatvam [sakarmatvam] tishthater anekarthatvât). He explains 'him' by 'the Supreme Soul,' and adds that the expression 'rest on' is justified, because the Paramâtman is the cause of the whole world, and the product rests on its cause. Râgh. differs very much, and says, 'Those two, the Great One (i. e. the Intelligence and by implication the subtile body) and the Knower of the Field, i. e. the individual soul enveloped by the five elements (and) pervading him who is found in the manifold created beings, i. e. the gross bodies, and reside, i. e. there, as the enjoyers.' Nand. finally has the following explanation: 'Those two, i. e. the individual and the Supreme Soul; united with the elements, i. e. residing in the body; the Great One, i. e. the Supreme Soul and the Knower of the Field; in the manifold, i. e. in the gross and in the subtile; him who is found, i. e. the field (kshetra), pervading they reside. The meaning is that the individual soul pervades the body and the Supreme Soul pervades the individual soul.'
