Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 13 Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah

Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - Humility, unpretentiousness, non-violence, forgiveness, straightforwardness, service to the teacher, purity, steadfastness, self-control—these are knowledge.

अमानित्वमदम्भित्वमहिंसा क्षान्तिरार्जवम् |
आचार्योपासनं शौचं स्थैर्यमात्मविनिग्रह: ||7||

Humility, unpretentiousness, non-violence, forgiveness, straightforwardness, service to the teacher, purity, steadfastness, self-control—these are knowledge.

Amanitvam: Humility or absence of pride.
Adambhitvam: Non-pretentiousness or absence of hypocrisy.
Shaucha: Purity, both internal and external.

The virtues described here lay the foundation for cultivating knowledge and spiritual growth. By practicing humility, purity, and self-control, one aligns with the path of liberation and develops clarity about the nature of the self.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - Indifference to sense objects, absence of ego, insight into birth, death, old age, and disease, and recognizing their evils.

इन्द्रियार्थेषु वैराग्यमनहङ्कार एव च |
जन्ममृत्युजराव्याधिदु:खदोषानुदर्शनम् ||8||

Indifference to sense objects, absence of ego, insight into birth, death, old age, and disease, and recognizing their evils.

Vairagya: Detachment from sense objects.
Janma: Birth or origin.
Dosha: Defect or fault.

Krishna shifts focus to detachment and the recognition of life’s transient nature. By contemplating the inevitability of birth, death, and suffering, one develops dispassion, a key step toward liberation.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - Non-attachment, absence of possessiveness regarding son, wife, house, and a constant even-mindedness in the face of both pleasant and unpleasant events.

असक्तिरनभिष्वङ्ग: पुत्रदारगृहादिषु |
नित्यं च समचित्तत्वमिष्टानिष्टोपपत्तिषु ||9||

Non-attachment, absence of possessiveness regarding son, wife, house, and a constant even-mindedness in the face of both pleasant and unpleasant events.

Asakti: Non-attachment to worldly objects.
Anabhishvanga: Absence of possessiveness.
Sama: Equanimity or calmness.

This verse reinforces the practice of even-mindedness and non-attachment, particularly in relationships and outcomes. It prepares the seeker to navigate the dualities of pleasure and pain with equanimity.

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मयि चानन्ययोगेन भक्तिरव्यभिचारिणी |
विविक्तदेशसेवित्वमरतिर्जनसंसदि ||10||

Unwavering devotion to Me with exclusive focus, preference for solitude, and aversion to the crowd.

Vivikta: Preference for solitude.
Ananya-yoga: Exclusive focus or devotion to one object.
Jana-samsadi: Crowd or assembly of people.

The emphasis on unwavering devotion and solitude underscores the importance of introspection and dedication. Krishna hints that true spiritual progress arises from focused practice and inner clarity.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - Constant engagement in self-knowledge and vision of the goal of knowledge. This is declared as knowledge, and what is contrary to it is ignorance.

अध्यात्मज्ञाननित्यत्वं तत्वज्ञानार्थदर्शनम् |
एतज्ज्ञानमिति प्रोक्तमज्ञानं यदतोऽन्यथा ||11||

Constant engagement in self-knowledge and vision of the goal of knowledge. This is declared as knowledge, and what is contrary to it is ignorance.

Adhyatma-jnana: Knowledge of the self.
Tattva-jnana: Knowledge of reality or truth.
Darshana: Vision or insight.

Krishna elaborates on self-knowledge and insight into ultimate truths as the pinnacle of wisdom. By contrasting it with ignorance, this verse bridges practical virtues and philosophical understanding.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - I shall explain what is to be known, knowing which one attains immortality. It is beginningless, supreme Brahman, said to be neither existent nor non-existent.

ज्ञेयं यत्तत्प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वामृतमश्रुते |
अनादिमत्परं ब्रह्म न सत्तन्नासदुच्यते ||12||

I shall explain what is to be known, knowing which one attains immortality. It is beginningless, supreme Brahman, said to be neither existent nor non-existent.

Brahman: The supreme reality or absolute.
Anadi: Without beginning.
Amrita: Immortal or eternal.

The supreme Brahman, described here as beyond existence and non-existence, invites contemplation of the ultimate reality. This shloka prepares Arjuna to grasp the profound nature of the unmanifest and its omnipresence.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - With hands and feet everywhere, eyes, heads, and faces everywhere, it hears everything and pervades everything in the world.

सर्वत: पाणिपादं तत्सर्वतोऽक्षिशिरोमुखम् |
सर्वत: श्रुतिमल्लोके सर्वमावृत्य तिष्ठति ||13||

With hands and feet everywhere, eyes, heads, and faces everywhere, it hears everything and pervades everything in the world.

Pani: Hands symbolizing omnipresence.
Padam: Feet representing universal reach.
Shruti: Hearing or perception.

The imagery of omnipresence conveys the divine’s all-encompassing nature. Krishna gently expands Arjuna’s understanding of divinity, emphasizing its immanence and transcendence in every aspect of creation.

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