Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 13 Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah

Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - Being without beginning and beyond qualities, the imperishable supreme self, though dwelling in the body, does not act or get tainted.

अनादित्वान्निर्गुणत्वात्परमात्मायमव्यय: |
शरीरस्थोऽपि कौन्तेय न करोति न लिप्यते ||31||

Being without beginning and beyond qualities, the imperishable supreme self, though dwelling in the body, does not act or get tainted.

Anadi: Beginningless or eternal.
Nirguna: Without qualities or attributes.
Avyaya: Immutable or unchanging.

The soul’s detachment from the body and nature’s qualities reinforces its imperishable essence. Krishna gently reminds Arjuna of the soul’s invulnerability and independence from external influences.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - As the all-pervading space is not tainted because of its subtlety, so the self, seated everywhere in the body, is not tainted.

यथा सर्वगतं सौक्ष्म्यादाकाशं नोपलिप्यते |
सर्वत्रावस्थितो देहे तथात्मा नोपलिप्यते ||32||

As the all-pervading space is not tainted because of its subtlety, so the self, seated everywhere in the body, is not tainted.

Akasha: Space as untainted.
Saukshmya: Subtlety of the self.
Deha: Body as the vehicle of the soul.

The analogy of space highlights the soul’s untainted and all-pervading nature. Krishna urges Arjuna to recognize the soul’s transcendence despite its presence in the material world.

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यथा प्रकाशयत्येक: कृत्स्नं लोकमिमं रवि: |
क्षेत्रं क्षेत्री तथा कृत्स्नं प्रकाशयति भारत ||33||

As the sun illuminates the entire world, so the knower of the field illuminates the entire field.

Ravi: Sun as the illuminator.
Kshetri: Knower of the field.
Prakash: Illumination of knowledge.

The knower of the field illuminates all aspects of existence, just as the sun lights the world. This verse serves as a reminder of the soul’s guiding role within the body.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - Those who see with the eye of knowledge the distinction between the field and the knower of the field and the liberation of beings from nature, attain the supreme.

क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञयोरेवमन्तरं ज्ञानचक्षुषा |
भूतप्रकृतिमोक्षं च ये विदुर्यान्ति ते परम् ||34||

Those who see with the eye of knowledge the distinction between the field and the knower of the field and the liberation of beings from nature, attain the supreme.

Jnana-chakshu: The eye of knowledge.
Moksha: Freedom or liberation.
Prakriti: Nature as binding.

The chapter concludes with a vision of liberation through knowledge of the field, its knower, and nature. Krishna ties together the teachings, urging Arjuna to pursue self-realization with resolve.

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Chapter 14

Guna Traya Vibhaga Yogah

श्रीभगवानुवाच परं भूय: प्रवक्ष्यामि ज्ञानानां ज्ञानमुत्तमम् |
यज्ज्ञात्वा मुनय: सर्वे परां सिद्धिमितो गता: ||1||

The Blessed Lord said: I shall now explain again the supreme knowledge, the best of all knowledge, by knowing which all sages have attained the supreme perfection.

Jnana: Knowledge of the ultimate truth.
Munayah: Sages who have attained wisdom.
Siddhi: Perfection or liberation.

Krishna introduces the supreme knowledge that leads to liberation. This sets the stage for a deeper understanding of the gunas (qualities) and how they bind the soul. The focus is on empowering Arjuna to discern the root causes of bondage and the pathway to transcendence.

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Guna Traya Vibhaga Yogah - By taking refuge in this knowledge, they attain to My nature and are neither born at the time of creation nor disturbed at the time of dissolution.

इदं ज्ञानमुपाश्रित्य मम साधर्म्यमागता: |
सर्गेऽपि नोपजायन्ते प्रलये न व्यथन्ति च ||2||

By taking refuge in this knowledge, they attain to My nature and are neither born at the time of creation nor disturbed at the time of dissolution.

Sadharmya: Attaining the same nature as the divine.
Sarge: The process of creation.
Pralaya: The process of dissolution.

The explanation connects creation and dissolution with the divine. Krishna emphasizes how this knowledge allows one to rise above the cycles of birth and death, reassuring Arjuna that those aligned with divine wisdom remain unaffected by cosmic fluctuations.

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