The Bhagwad Gita — Chapter 13

क्षेत्र क्षेत्रज्ञ विभाग Yoga of discrimination between the Field and the knower of the Field

Sanjay Mehta

In this chapter, Bhagwan describes kshetra (matter – Anatma) and Kshetragya (consciousness – Atma) in great detail.

Arjus asked, “I want to learn about matter (Prakriti) and consciousness (Purush), the field and knower of the fiels, knowledge and that which ought to be knows.

Bhagwan said:

इदं शारीरं कौन्तेय क्षेत्रमित्यभिधीयते
एतद्यो वेत्ति तं प्राहुः क्षेत्रज्ञ इति तद्विद: || २ ||

Idam shareeram kaunteya kshetramityabhidheeyate,
Eetadyo vetti tam praahu kshetrajna iti tadvidah ||2||

Oh Arjun!  This body is known a Kshetram.  There is a consciours principle which knows this body.  Learned people have declared the knower principle to be Kshetragya.

O Bharat, I am the knower (Kshetragya) in all fields,  I have defined the proper understanding of the field (Kshetra) and knower Kshetragya), consider that to be the knowledge (Gyanam).

The gross (human body), subtle and causal body is defined as the field.  A field is where we plant, plough, grow and enjoy the food.  Similarly, we act (perform Karma) through this body and enhoy the results.

Kshetra – Body – Anatmaa:

The body is made up of the five gross elements (space, air, fire, water, and earth), ahankaara (I-ness or mine-ness), Prakriti (nature).  It is also made up of the ten sense organs, the mind, desire, abhorrence, pleasure, pain, the body-mind complex, senitency and fortitude.

Knowledge (Gyaanam) of Kshetra and Kshetragya:

The series of disciplines described here are called knowledge.  Bhagwan said, “Etat Gyaanam iti proktam – I consider these virtues that I have mentioned here as real knowledge (Gyaanam).”  “Agyaanam anyathaa – Whatever virtues are the opposite or what I have said  here are considered to be ignorance (Agyaanam).”

अमानित्वमदम्भित्वमहिंसा क्षांतिरार्जवम्
आचार्योपासनं शौचं स्थैर्यमात्मविनिग्रह: || ८ ||

Amaannitvamadambhitvamahinsa kshaantiraarjvam,
Aachaaryopaasanam sucham stairyamaatmavinigrahah ||8||

अध्यात्मज्ञाननित्यत्वं तत्वज्ञानार्थदर्शनम्
एतज्ज्ञानमिति प्रोक्तमज्ञानं यदतोऽन्यथा || १२ ||

Adhyaatmajnaanityatvam tattvajnaanaarthadarshanam,
Eetajjnaanamiti proktamajnanam yadatonyathaa ||12||

Humility, simplicity , non-violence, forbearance, uprightness, service to the teacher, purity, steadfastness, self-control, serenity towards sense objects, absence of self-centeredness, constantly seeing the limitations of birth, death, old age, and disease, balanced identification with family, house, etc., always being equanimous in desirable and undesirable situations, non-indulgence in undesired company, constant Self enquiry and seeing Bhagwan as the essence of everything – all these are said to be Gyanam.  Traits opposite to these are known Agyaanam.

Bhagwan concludes the teaching with the following:

Arjun, learn from this knowledge of Kshetra and Kshetrgya, which will help make a positive difference in your life.  Jeevan mukti (freedom from ignorance and anxiety) is the benefit of this knowledge.

Essence

Image Credit
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