अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम् । जीवभूतां महाबाहो ययेदं धार्यते जगत् ॥
apareyamitastvanyāṃ prakṛtiṃ viddhi me parām | jīvabhūtāṃ mahābāho yayedaṃ dhāryate jagat ||
Translation
This is the lower (nature). But know My other higher nature, O mighty-armed one — the life-principle by which this world is upheld.
Interpretation
The higher nature (para prakriti) is the jiva-bhuta — the life principle, the living consciousness that animates and sustains the entire universe. This is the spark of divine consciousness present in all living beings as the knowing, experiencing Self. While the lower nature is the stage and the props, the higher nature is the light that illumines the stage and makes the performance meaningful. The world is upheld (dharyate) by this higher nature — without the divine consciousness, matter would have no coherence or purpose.