Chapter Overview
Chapter 13 presents a fundamental framework for understanding existence: the distinction between kshetra (the field/body) and kshetrajna (the knower of the field/soul). The body is compared to a field where the soul reaps the fruits of karma. Krishna then describes what constitutes knowledge, the nature of both matter (prakriti) and spirit (purusha), and how liberation is attained through this discrimination.
This chapter is highly analytical, presenting 20 virtues that constitute true knowledge and explaining the relationship between prakriti, purusha, and the Supreme Self who is the ultimate knower of all fields.
Key Themes
- Kshetra (Field): The body and its components - what is known
- Kshetrajna (Knower): The soul that observes and experiences - the knower
- Twenty Virtues: What constitutes true knowledge (jnana)
- Prakriti and Purusha: Matter and spirit - both beginningless
- The Supreme Knower: God as the ultimate kshetrajna in all fields
Key Verses to Study
idam shariram kaunteya kshetram ity abhidhiyate
"This body, O son of Kunti, is called the field, and one who knows this body is called the knower of the field. O scion of Bharata, you should understand that I am also the knower in all bodies, and to understand this body and its knower is called knowledge."
The fundamental distinction: body is the field; soul is the knower; God is the supreme knower in all.
amanitvam adambhitvam ahimsa kshantir arjavam
"Humility, pridelessness, nonviolence, tolerance, simplicity, approaching a bona fide spiritual master, cleanliness, steadiness, self-control, renunciation of sense objects, absence of ego, perception of the evil of birth, death, old age and disease, detachment, freedom from entanglement, even-mindedness in pleasant and unpleasant events, constant devotion, solitude, distaste for crowds, philosophical understanding of the self - this is declared to be knowledge."
These 20 qualities are what Krishna calls "knowledge" - not mere information but transformative wisdom.
prakritim purusham chaiva viddhy anadi ubhav api
"Material nature and the living entities should be understood to be beginningless. Their transformations and the modes of matter are products of material nature. Nature is said to be the cause of all material activities and effects, whereas the living entity is the cause of the various sufferings and enjoyments in this world."
Both matter and souls are eternal; their combination creates experience; their discrimination brings freedom.
samam sarveshu bhuteshu tishtantam parameshvaram
"One who sees the Supreme Lord equally present everywhere, in every living being, does not degrade himself by his mind. Thus he approaches the transcendental destination."
The goal: seeing God equally in all beings, which protects against self-degradation.
kshetra-kshetrajnayor evam antaram jnana-chakshusha
"Those who see with eyes of knowledge the difference between the body and the knower of the body, and also understand the process of liberation from bondage in material nature, attain the supreme goal."
The liberating insight: distinguishing field from knower leads to the supreme destination.
The Twenty Virtues (13.7-11)
Krishna declares that TRUE knowledge (jnana) consists of these 20 qualities:
1. Humility (amanitvam)
2. Pridelessness (adambhitvam)
3. Nonviolence (ahimsa)
4. Tolerance (kshanti)
5. Simplicity (arjavam)
6. Approaching a teacher
7. Cleanliness (shaucham)
8. Steadiness (sthairyam)
9. Self-control (atma-vinigraha)
10. Sense renunciation
11. Absence of ego
12. Seeing suffering in life
13. Detachment (asakti)
14. Non-entanglement
15. Even-mindedness
16. Constant devotion
17. Love of solitude
18. Distaste for crowds
19. Self-knowledge
20. Truth perception
Notice: Krishna doesn't call book learning "knowledge." True jnana is transformation of character, not accumulation of information.
The Structure of Reality
Chapter 13 presents a three-level analysis of existence:
- Kshetra (Field): The body with its elements, senses, mind, intellect, ego - the entire material apparatus that is "known"
- Kshetrajna (Individual Knower): The jiva (individual soul) that experiences through the field - the experiencer who reaps karma
- Param Kshetrajna (Supreme Knower): God who knows all fields, present in all bodies as the witness and permitter
Liberation comes from understanding this: I am not the field (body); I am the knower. And beyond me is the Supreme Knower who illumines all.