The Witness Within
The Supreme Being in this body is called the observer, the permitter, the supporter, the experiencer, the great Lord, and the Supreme Self.
The Divine is present in every body as the silent witness (upadrashta), the sanctioner (anumanta), the supporter (bharta), the experiencer (bhokta), the great Lord (maheshvara), and the supreme Self (paramatman). These six functions describe God's intimate presence in every being. This teaching transforms our understanding of selfhood—we are never alone, the Divine witnesses all, supports all, and experiences through all.
Yet in this body there is another, a transcendental enjoyer, who is the Lord, the supreme proprietor, who exists as the overseer and permitter, and who is known as the Supersoul.
The Paramatman dwells alongside the Jivatman in every heart—the inner Lord who witnesses, permits, and guides all experience.
Bhagavad Gita
Written about in
- What the Bhagavad Gita says about the self
The same chapter names a second presence in the body: observer, permitter, supporter, experiencer. On this reading you are watched from the inside, and not only by yourself.
- What the Bhagavad Gita says about grief
The Divine is named in six roles inside every body: observer, permitter, supporter, experiencer, great Lord, supreme Self. On this reading nobody dies unattended, whoever did or did not make it to the room.