Two birds are sitting on one tree. The one bird is eating the fruits, and the other bird is simply witness. So witnessing bird is the Supersoul, and the bird which is enjoying and suffering of this material contamination or attachment, that is soul

Expressions researched:
"two birds are sitting on one tree. The one bird is eating the fruits, and the other bird is simply witness. So witnessing bird is the Supersoul, and the bird which is enjoying and suffering of this material contamination, or attachment, that is soul"

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

From the Vedic Upaniṣads we get this information that two birds are sitting on one tree. The one bird is eating the fruits, and the other bird is simply witness. So witnessing bird is the Supersoul, and the bird which is enjoying and suffering of this material contamination or attachment, that is soul.

660814 - Lecture BG 04.34 Q&A - New York:

Now, in the Bhagavad-gītā you will find that Kṛṣṇa says, mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate . . . ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate (BG 10.8):

"I am the origin, fountainhead of everything, and everything what is being produced, it is from Me." Similarly, the soul is a fragmental, fractional portion of Kṛṣṇa. So now the modern scientist, they have localized the point wherefrom the energies are coming. Now that point is there. That fragmental portion of Kṛṣṇa is there in the heart. That is Brahman.

And . . . but that is fragmental portion. So Brahman means this fragmental portion. And the Supreme Brahman . . . what was that question? Brahman? Supersoul. Supersoul is Kṛṣṇa. Supersoul is Kṛṣṇa, and we . . . I am, you are, you are soul, we are jīva, and the Supreme Soul is Kṛṣṇa. This verse the next morning we shall discuss. We came this morning just up to that point. We've come up to anyam, that verse.

So Supersoul, Supersoul is the Supreme Lord. Supersoul is also there. They are situated together. From the Vedic Upaniṣads we get this information that two birds are sitting on one tree. The one bird is eating the fruits, and the other bird is simply witness. So witnessing bird is the Supersoul, and the bird which is enjoying and suffering of this material contamination, or attachment, that is soul. Is it clear?

Devotee (1): You mean actually Kṛṣṇa is in here?

Prabhupāda: Kṛṣṇa . . . yes. He is in the still more higher position. You are very intelligent. This Supersoul is also partial representation of Kṛṣṇa. Just like the sun, the real sun, and the reflection of sun. If you have got thousands of pots in your presence, you will find the reflection of the sun in thousands of the pots, but the real sun is one. Similarly, this Supersoul is the reflection of the reality, partial reflection of the Supreme. Is it clear?

Just like you are standing here, and at noon the sun is on your head. And five thousand miles away you enquire from somebody, "Where is sun?" he will say: "Oh, it is on my head." Five thousand miles this way or that way, any way you enquire, many, many people, many thousands of people you enquire, they will say, everyone will say that, "The sun is on my head." Similarly, although the sun is one, as he is perceived that he is present on everyone's head, similarly, although Kṛṣṇa is one without a second, by inconceivable transcendental power He can be present in everyone's heart. Akhilātma-bhūtaḥ. Goloka eva nivasaty akhilātma-bhūtaḥ (Bs 5.37).

That is the power of Kṛṣṇa. That is the power of Supersoul. We cannot. Suppose I am sitting here, you are sitting here. You are not at your home. I am not in India, I am sitting here. I cannot sit simultaneously in India and America. That is not possible for me, because I am not Supersoul. But the Supersoul can be present everywhere. You will find this explanation in the Thirteenth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā. Now we are discussing the Fourth Chapter. When we go to the Thirteenth Chapter, this point will be more clearly explained.