prasaṅkhyānāya tattvānāṁ

etan me janma loke 'smin

mumukṣūṇāṁ durāśayāt

prasaṅkhyānāya tattvānāṁ

sammatāyātma-darśane

Please understand that I have appeared in this world to explain the principles suitable for realizing the self for those desiring liberation from the subtle body.

The Lord explains the reason for his appearance. Please understand my appearance is to explain principles suitable for realizing the self to those desiring liberation from the sinful subtle body (durāśayāt). The verb is in the next verse.

|| 3.24.37||

eṣa ātma-patho 'vyakto

naṣṭaḥ kālena bhūyasā

taṁ pravartayituṁ deham

imaṁ viddhi mayā bhṛtam

Understand that this path, difficult to know, was lost in time. I have taken this form to introduce this knowledge again.

Avyaktaḥ means subtle. Though the Lord and his body are non-different, spiritual intelligence introduces difference even where there is non-difference. Thus the Lord says “I have taken this body.” This is a customary expression. It is like the following statement (which also cannot be taken literally.)

 

sattvaṁ rajas tama iti nirguṇasya guṇās trayaḥ

sthiti-sarga-nirodheṣu gṛhītā māyayā vibhoḥ

 

The three guṇas of sattva, rajas and tamas, belonging to the Lord without guṇas, are accepted by the māyā of the Lord for creation, maintenance and destruction. SB 2.5.18

 

 

|| 3.24.38||

gaccha kāmaṁ mayāpṛṣṭo

mayi sannyasta-karmaṇā

jitvā sudurjayaṁ mṛtyum

amṛtatvāya māṁ bhaja

You have requested me, so then depart when you please. Having conquered unconquerable death by offering your activities to me, you should worship me for immortality.

Just as you are asking to go, I am asking you to stay. It would be harsh for me to tell you to go, and even if you stay here your desire will be fulfilled. If you are determined to go, then go as you wish. Worship me for immortality. This recalls the śruti text avidyayā mṛtum tīrtvā vidyayāmṛtam aśmute: by karma cross over obstacles, and by knowledge attain eternal life. (Iśopaniṣad) Or, you will not have birth again because of my association, since you will have attained a position as my associate, having birth only in the sense that Rāma and Kṛṣṇa take birth, though they are without death.

|| 3.24.39||