Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 13 Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah

Bhakti Yogah - 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.

ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते |
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.

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Chapter 13

Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah

श्रीभगवानुवाच इदं शरीरं कौन्तेय क्षेत्रमित्यभिधीयते |
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.

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क्षेत्रज्ञं चापि मां विद्धि सर्वक्षेत्रेषु भारत |
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.

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तत्क्षेत्रं यच्च यादृक्च यद्विकारि यतश्च यत् |
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.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - It has been sung by sages in many ways, distinctly and in various hymns, and also in the well-reasoned aphorisms of the Brahma-sutras.

ऋषिभिर्बहुधा गीतं छन्दोभिर्विविधै: पृथक् |
ब्रह्मसूत्रपदैश्चैव हेतुमद्भिर्विनिश्चितै: ||4||

It has been sung by sages in many ways, distinctly and in various hymns, and also in the well-reasoned aphorisms of the Brahma-sutras.

Rishis: Sages or seers who spread knowledge.
Chandas: The Vedic hymns.
Brahma-sutras: Aphorisms expounding Vedantic philosophy.

The reliance on ancient wisdom underscores the universality and timelessness of this knowledge. Krishna emphasizes the authoritative nature of the teachings derived from the sages and scriptures, rooting the discourse in tradition.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - The great elements, ego, intellect, unmanifested, ten senses, mind, and the five sense objects—these constitute the field.

महाभूतान्यङ्ककारो बुद्धिरव्यक्त मेव च |
इन्द्रियाणि दशैकं च पञ्च चेन्द्रियगोचरा: ||5||

The great elements, ego, intellect, unmanifested, ten senses, mind, and the five sense objects—these constitute the field.

Mahabhutas: The five great elements.
Ahankara: Ego or sense of self.
Avyakta: The unmanifested or primal nature.

The enumeration of elements constituting the field connects the tangible and intangible aspects of existence. Krishna presents a comprehensive view, bridging physical reality with mental and spiritual dimensions.

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