Kṛṣṇa begins the final summary of the ‘Tri-śloki Gītā’ by categorizing all beings into two groups: the ‘Kṣara’ (fallible) and the ‘Akṣara’ (infallible). The Kṣara includes every soul currently in the material world, subject to birth, death, and change. The Akṣara refers to those who are liberated and situated in their eternal spiritual identity. This is a fundamental map of consciousness. As long as we identify with the changing body and the shifting mind, we remain in the ‘Kṣara’ category. We are fallible because we are under the influence of time and illusion. The ‘Akṣara’ souls are like those who have reached the shore; they are no longer tossed around by the waves of material nature. By stating this, Kṛṣṇa helps us understand our current position. We are ‘Puruṣas’ (persons), but we are currently in a fallible state. The goal of life is to move from the Kṣara to the Akṣara—to regain our infallible, eternal nature. This verse sets the stage for the next, where Kṛṣṇa will reveal Himself as the one who is superior to both.