Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 13 Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah

Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - Know both nature and the soul as beginningless. Know also that all transformations and qualities arise from nature.

प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव विद्ध्यनादी उभावपि |
विकारांश्च गुणांश्चैव विद्धि प्रकृतिसम्भवान् ||19||

Know both nature and the soul as beginningless. Know also that all transformations and qualities arise from nature.

Prakriti: Nature or material energy.
Vikara: Transformations of nature.
Gunas: Qualities of nature, such as sattva, rajas, and tamas.

The eternal interplay between nature and the soul is presented as foundational to existence. This verse sets the stage for deeper exploration of their roles in the creation and evolution of life.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - In the production of effects and causes, nature is said to be the cause; in the experience of pleasure and pain, the soul is said to be the cause.

कार्यकारणकर्तृत्वे हेतु: प्रकृतिरुच्यते |
पुरुष: सुखदु:खानां भोक्तृत्वे हेतुरुच्यते ||20||

In the production of effects and causes, nature is said to be the cause; in the experience of pleasure and pain, the soul is said to be the cause.

Karya: Actions or effects.
Karana: Cause or instrument.
Purusha: The soul or the enjoyer.

The dual causality of nature and the soul highlights their distinct but interdependent roles. Krishna clarifies that while nature is the doer, the soul experiences the outcomes, maintaining its neutrality.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - The soul seated in nature experiences the qualities born of nature. Attachment to these qualities is the cause of its birth in good and evil wombs.

पुरुष: प्रकृतिस्थो हि भुङक्ते प्रकृतिजान्गुणान् |
कारणं गुणसङ्गोऽस्य सदसद्योनिजन्मसु ||21||

The soul seated in nature experiences the qualities born of nature. Attachment to these qualities is the cause of its birth in good and evil wombs.

Gunas: Qualities derived from nature.
Sanga: Attachment to qualities.
Yonija: Born of specific wombs.

The soul’s attachment to qualities of nature explains its entanglement in the cycle of birth and death. Krishna subtly introduces the concept of liberation through detachment from these qualities.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - The supreme soul in the body is also called the witness, the permitter, the supporter, the enjoyer, the great Lord, and the supreme self.

उपद्रष्टानुमन्ता च भर्ता भोक्ता महेश्वर: |
परमात्मेति चाप्युक्तो देहेऽस्मिन्पुरुष: पर: ||22||

The supreme soul in the body is also called the witness, the permitter, the supporter, the enjoyer, the great Lord, and the supreme self.

Upadrashta: Witness to all actions.
Anumanta: Permittee or approver.
Paramatma: The supreme soul.

The supreme soul is revealed as the eternal witness and sustainer. This verse invites reflection on the role of the divine as both immanent within creation and transcendent beyond it.

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य एवं वेत्ति पुरुषं प्रकृतिं च गुणै: सह |
सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि न स भूयोऽभिजायते ||23||

He who thus knows the soul and nature with its qualities, no matter how he lives, is never born again.

Purusha: Soul in conjunction with nature.
Gunas: Qualities binding the soul.
Mukti: Freedom or liberation.

Understanding the soul and nature together leads to liberation. Krishna assures that such knowledge frees one from the cycles of birth and death, reinforcing the transformative power of realization.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - Some realize the self by meditation with the mind, others through the path of knowledge, and others through the path of action.

ध्यानेनात्मनि पश्यन्ति केचिदात्मानमात्मना |
अन्ये साङ्ख्येन योगेन कर्मयोगेन चापरे ||24||

Some realize the self by meditation with the mind, others through the path of knowledge, and others through the path of action.

Dhyana: Meditation as a path to realization.
Sankhya: Path of knowledge.
Karma-yoga: Path of selfless action.

Different paths to self-realization—meditation, knowledge, and action—are introduced, emphasizing that liberation is accessible through diverse approaches suited to individual temperaments.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - Others, who are unaware of this, hear from others and worship. They also transcend death by their devotion to what they hear.

अन्ये त्वेवमजानन्त: श्रुत्वान्येभ्य उपासते |
तेऽपि चातितरन्त्येव मृत्युं श्रुतिपरायणा: ||25||

Others, who are unaware of this, hear from others and worship. They also transcend death by their devotion to what they hear.

Shruti-parayana: Devotee focused on hearing scriptures.
Upasana: Worship or service.
Ajna: Ignorance or lack of knowledge.

Krishna acknowledges that even indirect devotion, inspired by hearing and faith, can lead to liberation. This verse underscores the inclusive nature of the spiritual journey.

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