Chapter-13

NATURE, THE ENJOYER AND CONSCIOUSNESS

Connection between Chapter 12 and Chapter 13 / Introduction to Jnana Section: 

  • In Chapters six through twelve, Lord Krishna concluded His description of bhakti-yoga. In Chapters thirteen to eighteen, He describes jnana-yoga.
  • One may ask, “If bhakti is the culmination of the yoga-ladder, why is jnana presented after the section on bhakti?” .
  • Understanding the connection between the bhakti section and the jnana section will help reveal the reason. In Text 12.7, Lord Krishna promised to save His devotees from the path of birth and death. Chapters Thirteen to Eighteen fulfill this promise by supplying the philosophical knowledge necessary to extricate oneself from material entanglement .
  • We call this section the “Jnana Section” but in truth the entire Bhagavad-gita is bhakti. The first six chapters discuss how to achieve bhakti through one’s works (karma-yoga). The last six chapters discuss how to achieve bhakti through knowledge. The middle six chapters discuss bhakti itself .
  • Jnana has its use in assisting our detachment from maya and our subsequent attachment to Krishna. When we utilize knowledge as a means to attain devotion it becomes a part of bhakti .
  • Without the touch of bhakti both karma and jnana are useless. This is another reason why the discussion of bhakti comes in the middle of Bhagavad-gita, where it can remain in contact with both, karma and jnana, and thus lend them value.
BREAKDOWN OF CHAPTER-13
  • (13.1 – 13.7) ARJUNA’S 6 Q'S & KRISHNA EXPLAINS

(Text 13.2 – 13.7 answers the 3rd, 4th and 5th questions)

  • Krishna explains the field of activities as the body, by which the soul engages within his allotted sphere of activities within the material world
  • The soul, the knower of the field, has knowledge of his own field of activities
  • Krishna, as the Supersoul, is the knower of all fields of activity of all living entities
  • Knowledge is to know the field and its knowers

(Krishna addresses the 5th question)

  • The process of knowledge is
    o Activities by which a soul gets knowledge beyond the limitations of his field of activities
    o And thus transcends his field of activities

(Krishna addresses the 6th question)

  • The soul can know the Supersoul, the ultimate object of knowledge
  • Only devotees can understand – the field of activities (the body), process of knowledge and both the soul and Supersoul

(Krishna addresses the 1st and 2nd questions)

  • Prakrti, Purusa (the “jiva” or ksetra-jna) and their union (13.20-13.22):
    o Material nature causes all material changes and effects, and
    o Living entity meets with good and bad according to the qualities he has acquired due to his association with material nature
  • Paramatma Purusa (ksetra-jna) (13.23): The Supersoul exists within all bodies as the overseer, the permitter, and the supreme proprietor.
  • Result: One who understands the prakrti, purusa and their interactions attains liberation from birth in material world
  • Other methods of obtaining liberation are jnana, astanga and karma (13.25 – 13.26)

Those who see the distinction between the body, its owner and the Supersoul, and who recognize the process of liberation, can attain the Supreme goal (13.35)

Summary of Chapter-13
SECTION I (13.1 – 13.7)
ARJUNA’S SIX QUESTIONS AND KRISHNA EXPLAINS THE FIELD OF ACTIVITIES AND THE KNOWER OF THE FIELD

Text (13.1)

Arjuna asks 6 questions about the following subject matters;
1. ‘Prakrti’ (प्रकृति) – Material Nature
2. ‘Purusha’(पुरुष) – The Enjoyer of matter
3. ‘Kshetra’(क्षेत्र) – Field in which one can act within the material world
4. ‘Kshetra-jna’(क्षेत्रज्ञ) – Entity which experiences the field of actions
5. ‘Jnana’(ज्ञान) – Knowledge and the process of acquiring knowledge (Explained in Texts 13.3, 13.8 – 13.12 and 13.24 – 13.25)
6. ‘Jneyam’(ज्ञेयं) – Object of knowledge

Text (13.2)

Krishna answers about the Kshetra and Kshetra-jna – This answers Arjuna’s third and fourth question

  • This body is called the field – ‘Kshetra’
  • One who knows this body is called the knower of the field – ‘Kshetra-jna’

Text (13.3)

Explains 2nd Ksetra-jna (knower of the field) and conception of Jnana (knowledge)

  • There is also a ‘’second knower’’ who is the knower of all fields – The Supersoul
  • Definition of “knowledge” (Arjuna’s 5th question) – To understand body and it’s knower (Supersoul and soul) is called “knowledge”

Text (13.4)

Krishna proposes to explain 5 points about the field of activity (Ksetra)
1. How the body is constituted (Explained in Text 13.6 and 13.7)
2. What changes the body undergoes (Text 13.7 and 13.20)
3. How, when and where the body is produced (Text 13.6, 13.21, 13.22 and 13.30)
4. Identity of the knower of the field of activities (Text 13.14-13.18 and 13.23)
5. The influence of the knower (Texts 13.14 – 13.18)

Text (13.5)

Krishna cites the authorities: Summarizing philosophical conclusions of great sages, especially Vyasdeva’s Vedanta-Sutra.

Text (13.6 – 13.7)

This verse indicates that field or body is a non-permanent material thing and ksetra-jna or knower of the field is different from the field

  • Text 13.6 explains ‘what the fields of activities consist of’
  • Text 13.7 explains ‘the transformations’ and ‘the interactions of the field of activities’
SECTION II (13.8 – 13.12)
KRISHNA EXPLAINS THE PROCESS OF KNOWLEDGE AND LIBERATION

Text (13.8-13.12)

Cultivation of these 20 qualities below is the real method of acquiring knowledge –

TWENTY ITEMS OF KNOWLEDGE (13.8 – 13.12)
SNo Quality Definition
1 Humility (अमानित्वम्)
  • Not to be anxious to have the satisfaction of being honored by others
2 Pridelessness (अदाम्भित्वम्)
  • Not to be anxious to be famous for one’s religion and entering into a group not actually following principles and wanting to advertise as a religious mentor
3 Non-violence (अहिंसा)
  • Not to put others into distress
  • Unless one elevates one to spiritual knowledge, one is practicing violence
  • Try your best to distribute real knowledge
4 Tolerance (क्षान्तिः)
  • Be practiced to bear insult and dishonor from others e.g. Prahlada Maharaja
5 Simplicity (आर्जवम्)
  • So straightforward that you can disclose the real truth even to an enemy
  • Without diplomacy
6 Accepting a spiritual master (आचार्य-उपासनम्)
  • Approach spiritual master with all humility and offer all services
  • If he bestows blessings, that will make it easier to follow all the regulative principles and one immediately advances
7 Cleanliness (शौचम्)
  • Bathing (external) and chanting (internal)
8 Steadiness (स्थैर्यम्)
  • Determined to make progress in spiritual life
9 Self-control (आत्म-विनिग्रहः)
  • Reject anything unfavorable to spiritual advancement
10 Renunciation of sense objects (इन्द्रिय-अर्थेषु वैराग्यम्)
  • Not cater to unnecessary demands
  • Cater the demands only to keep body fit for devotional service
  • How to control – Engage by a systematic regulation especially chanting Hare Krishna and Prasadam
11 Absence of false ego (अनहंकारः)
  • Reject: “I am this body, mind etc”
  • Accept: I am a servant of Krishna
12 Perception of evils of birth, death, disease, old-age (जन्म मृत्यु जरा व्याधि दु:खदोषानुदर्शनम्)
  • Must regularly hear about these topics from the proper source
13 Detachment (आसक्तिः)
  • Be ready to sacrifice everything for Krishna
14 No entanglement with wife, children, etc (अनभिष्वङगः पुत्रदारगृहादिषु)
  • Affection is natural
  • Renounce if not favorable for spiritual advancement e.g. Arjuna is asked to renounce family connections
15 Even mindedness (सम-चित्तत्वम्)
  • Not elated or distressed at material gain or loss
  • Possible by performing unbreakable devotional service
16 Unalloyed devotional service (अनन्य-योगेन)
  • Engage in nine processes of bhakti
17 Aspiring to live in a solitary place (विविक्तदेशसेवित्वम)
  • Not desiring to mix with materialistic men
  • Living in the association of devotees
18 Detachment from general masses (अरतिः जन-संसदि)
  • Not desiring to mix with materialistic men
  • Living in the association of devotees
19 Accepting the importance of self-realisation (अध्यात्मज्ञाननित्यत्वं)
  • Give up unnecessary sporting, cinema going, social activities and such wastage of time
20 Philosophical search for the Absolute Truth (तत्त्व ज्ञानार्थदर्शनम्)
  • Rejection of useless research of philosophical topics like sex life etc.
  • Research into the nature of soul by philosophical discretion

SECTION III (13.13 – 13.19)
KRISHNA EXPLAINS ‘THE OBJECT OF KNOWLEDGE’ (JNEYA) –ARJUNA’S 6th QUESTION

Text (13.13)

Jneya (knowable) – Soul and Supersoul are the real objects to be known

  • Text 13.13 describes the first object of knowledge, i.e. the Soul (living-entity)
  • Benefit of knowing the knowable: Relishes the nectar of life

Text (13.14 – 13.17)

  1.  Supersoul is ‘’All Pervading’’ (13.14)
  2. Supersoul is “Transcendental” (13.15)
  3. Supersoul is “All-Reconciling” (13.16)
  4. Supersoul is “Undivided”
      i. Although Supersoul appears divided, but is situated as one
      ii. Although maintainer of all living entities, He devours and develops all (13.17)

Text (13.18)

He is the “Source of all knowledge and enlightenment”

  • Source of light in all luminous objects
  • Is beyond the darkness of matter and is unmanifested
  • He is knowledge, object of knowledge and goal of knowledge
  • He is situated in everyone’s heart
SUMMARISED THEME 

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUPERSOUL 

  • Supersoul as the object of knowledge (Jneya) – (13.14 – 13.18)
  • All pervading – His hands, legs, eyes, ears, heads and faces are everywhere
  • Original source of all senses, yet He is without senses
  • Unattached, although He is the maintainer of all living entities
  • Transcendental to the modes of material nature, although He is the master of all modes
  • All reconciling – Outside and inside of all living beings
  • Subtle and beyond the perception of material senses
  • Undivided – Although appears divided among all beings
  • Maintainer of all, also devours and develops all
  • Source of all knowledge and enlightenment
  • Situated in one’s hearT
  • Supersoul as the knower of the field (Ksetra-jna) – (13.3)
  • Superknower – Knower of all bodies
  • Supreme proprietor and controller
  • Infallible and always superior to the spirit soul
  • Supersoul as the ‘Purusha’ (Supreme enjoyer) – (13.23)
  • Transcendental enjoyer
  • Overseer and permitter
  • Maintainer and real friend

Text (13.19)*

Science of Kshetra, Kshetra-jna, Jnana and Jneyam is most fully understood only by devotees (madbhakta).

SECTION IV (13.20 – 13.26)
KRISHNA EXPLAINS PRAKRTI, PURUSA AND THEIR UNION

Text (13.20)

All good and bad events occur in matter

  • Material nature and living entities are beginningless. (Their union is described as anadi, beginningless)
  • Their “transformations” and “modes of matter” are products of material nature

Text (13.21)

Happiness and distress are due to purusa’s identifying with prakriti

  • Nature is the cause of all material causes and effects
  • Living entities is the cause of various sufferings and enjoyments in this world
       i. Because of illusory oneness with matter, his desires and actions cause him to suffer and enjoy

Text (13.22)

‘Desire to enjoy’ forges the bond between purusha and prakriti

  • Living entity follows the way of life according to the three modes
  • Association with material nature leads to different good and evil among various species

Text (13.23)

Second type of purusa is mentioned here – He is never entangled like the ordinary purusa

  • He is the transcendental enjoyer,
  • The Supreme Proprietor, overseer and permitter
  • He is known as the Supersoul

Text (13.24 – 13.25)

1. Knowing the philosophy explained in Bg. 13.20 – 13.23 causes liberation – no more births (13.24)

2. One can achieve this understanding (Texts 13.20 – 13.23) through various types of yogas (13.25)

  • Some perceive the Supersoul through meditation (Dhyana)
  • Others through the cultivation of knowledge (Sankhya-yoga)
  • Still others through working without fruitive desire (Karma-yoga)

SECTION V (13.27 – 13.35)
JNANA-CHAKSHU: THE VISION OF KNOWLEDGE

Text (13.27)

Realised person can distinguish between spirit and matter in all circumstances

  • Whatever one sees in material existence, moving or non-moving is only a combination of the field of activities and the knower of the field
      i. This verse explains that all species are a combination of material nature and living entity (purport)
      ii. Combination is effected by the Supreme Lord, controller of both, Superior and inferior energies

Text (13.28 – 13.29)

1. One who sees the indestructible Supersoul always accompanying the indestructible individual soul in all bodies, is the “actual seer” .

2. Thus seeing in proper knowledge, one does not degrade himself by pursuing selfish desires of the mind; but one approaches the transcendental destination.

Text (13.30)

Further describes the man who “actually sees” in real knowledge

  • He sees that “Neither he nor others are acting”
  • All activities are performed by the body, which is created by material nature (purport)
      i. Body (like a machine) is given by the Lord according to past desires and karma
      ii. All acts are forced according to bodily constitution
      iii. Soul is outside bodily activities

Text (13.31 – 13.32)

1. Only the body acts – Living entity is distinct from the field of activities (13.31)

2. Vision of eternity is further explained – One can see that the soul never mixes with the body (13.32)

  • Imperishable soul is transcendental, eternal and beyond the modes
  • Despite contact with material body, the soul neither does anything nor is entangled
  • This fact is explained by two analogies in Texts 13.33 – 13.34

Text (13.33 – 13.34)

1st Analogy: Like the sky (because of its subtle nature) does not mix with anything, although it is all pervading; similarly the soul in Brahman vision does not mix with the body, though situated in the body

  • e.g. Air enters mud, stool, water but does not mix with anything
  • Similarly the living entity is situated in varieties of bodies but remains aloof
      i. Scientists cannot ascertain this

2nd Analogy: As the sun alone illuminates all this universe, similarly the living entity illuminates the entire body by consciousness.

Text (13.35)

Seeing with the eyes of knowledge, the following things, one attains the Supreme Goal

  • The difference between the body and the knower of the body
  • The process of liberation from bondage in material nature
SUMMARISED THEME 13C

THE VISION OF KNOWLEDGE

  • One can distinguish between spirit and matter in all circumstances (13.27)
  • One sees all moving and non-moving as a combination of the field and knower of the field
  • One sees indestructible Supersoul accompanying the indestructible individual soul in all the bodies (13.28)
  • One sees the Supersoul equally present everywhere (13.29)
  • One sees that all activities are performed by the body and the self does nothing (13.30)
  • One sees the living entity as distinct from the field of activities (13.31)
  • One sees that soul never mixes with the body, but is transcendental and eternal (13.32)
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