शीतोष्णसुखदु:खेषु सम: सङ्गविवर्जित: ||18||
He who is the same to friend and foe, and in honor and dishonor, in heat and cold, in pleasure and pain, and who is free from attachment,
- Sangavivarjita: Free from attachment.
- Samata: Equanimity in dualities.
The balanced devotee transcends external dualities, such as honor and dishonor. This commentary underscores how detachment from societal opinions leads to unwavering focus on the divine.
अनिकेत: स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नर: ||19||
He who is indifferent to praise and censure, silent, content with anything, homeless, of a steady mind, full of devotion—he is dear to Me.
- Aniketa: Homeless or unattached to a dwelling.
- Mouna: Silence as a virtue.
The devotee’s indifference to material possessions and praise reflects profound stability. This commentary connects such detachment to a higher sense of freedom and alignment with spiritual values.
श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रिया: ||20||
But those who revere this nectar of sacred wisdom as I have declared, full of faith, and regarding Me as their supreme goal, are exceedingly dear to Me.
- Dharmya: Righteous or sacred teachings.
- Amritam: The nectar of immortality.
Krishna concludes by extolling those who revere sacred teachings and integrate them into their lives. This commentary emphasizes the transformative power of faith and how it deepens the bond with the divine.
Chapter 13
Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah
एतद्यो वेत्ति तं प्राहु: क्षेत्रज्ञ इति तद्विद: ||1||
This body, O son of Kunti, is called the field, and one who knows it is called the knower of the field by the sages.
- Kshetra: The field, referring to the body.
- Kshetrajna: The knower of the field.
- Kaunteya: Son of Kunti, Arjuna.
The introduction of the "field" and the "knower of the field" sets the stage for understanding the body as a transient entity and the soul as eternal. This distinction underpins the spiritual discourse that will follow, emphasizing self-awareness and detachment.
क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञयोर्ज्ञानं यत्तज्ज्ञानं मतं मम ||2||
Know Me as the knower in all fields, O Bharata. Knowledge of the field and its knower is true knowledge, in My opinion.
- Bharata: A descendant of the Bharata dynasty.
- Kshetra: The field, referring to the body.
- Kshetrajna: The knower of the field.
Krishna introduces the idea of the universal self, the knower of all fields. This declaration transitions the discussion from individual identity to a cosmic perspective, urging Arjuna to grasp the unity underlying apparent diversity.
स च यो यत्प्रभावश्च तत्समासेन मे शृणु ||3||
What the field is, what it is like, its transformations, and whence it is, I shall explain briefly with its powers.
- Vikara: Transformations or modifications.
- Prabhava: Power or influence.
- Samasa: A brief or concise explanation.
The qualities, transformations, and origins of the field are introduced as essential to understanding the interplay between material existence and the spiritual essence. This prepares the listener for a deeper dive into the dynamics of prakriti and purusha.