Question

According to the 15th Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita (Purushottama Yoga), what are the two types of 'Purushas' (persons/entities) mentioned as existing in this world?
A. Mahapurusha
B. Dhritiman
C. Kshara (Perishable)
D. Akshara (Imperishable)
E. Mayavan

• A. A, B, C, D, E
• B. E, D, C, B, A
• C. B, A, C, D, E
• D. C, D, B, E, A

Hint:

Chapter 15 is all about the "Tri-purusha" hierarchy: Kshara (Material body) < {Akshara} (Individual soul) < {Purushottama} (Supreme Lord). If a question asks for the two "in the world," it refers to the first two levels.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The 15th Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, titled Purushottama Yoga, is one of the most philosophical and highly studied chapters. In this chapter, Lord Krishna explains the nature of the world and the hierarchy of existence. To establish the identity of the Supreme Reality, Krishna classifies all entities in the universe into two broad categories before introducing a third, transcendent category. This ontological division helps the seeker understand the relationship between the material world, the individual soul, and the Divine.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In verse BG 15.16, Lord Krishna explicitly defines these two categories:
"dvāv imau puruṣau loke kṣaraś cākṣara eva ca |
kṣaraḥ sarvāṇi bhūtāni kūṭastho 'kṣara ucyate ||"
Translation: "There are two types of beings in the world, the Kshara and the Akshara. All living beings are perishable, and the unchanging soul is called imperishable."
1. Kshara (C): The word literally means "perishable" or "changeable." It refers to the physical bodies and the entire material creation (Prakriti) which is subject to birth, growth, and death.
2. Akshara (D): The word means "imperishable" or "changeless." It refers to the individual soul (Jivatman), which is eternal and survives the destruction of the body. In this specific verse, it is also referred to as Kutasthah (situated at the peak or unchanging).
Krishna then proceeds to verse 15.17, mentioning the Uttama Purusha (the Supreme Person), who is distinct from both. While Mahapurusha (A) is a general term for great men, and Dhritiman (B) or Mayavan (E) are descriptive adjectives, they are not the specific, canonical categories mentioned in the fundamental classification of Chapter 15. Only C and D are correct.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The two types of Purushas are Kshara and Akshara.