JÑĀNA YOGA
(Chapters 13-18)
Chapter 13
Nature, the enjoyer and consciousness : Upon Arjuna’s inquiry Krishna explains six topics (1)‘Prakrti’ – Material Nature (2)‘Purusha’ – 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’ – Knowledge and the process of acquiring knowledge (6)‘Jneyam’(ज्ञेय) – Object of knowledge. A true seer has the right vision of jiva, prakrti and Paramatma.
In 13.22, Krishna said that the jiva takes up repeated birth and death due to association with the material modes. In chapter 14, Krishna explains how those modes bind the jiva and the way out.
Chapter 14
Modes of material nature : The Supreme Lord impregnates the jivas into the womb of prakrti that consists of the 3 modes. There is competition amongst the modes and one of them becomes prominent and influences the jiva’s action and destination. By pure bhakti one can transcend the modes (guṇātītaḥ).
In 14.26, Krishna said that one can transcend modes by bhakti. But attachment to Krishna, needs deveolping detachment to this world. In Chapter 15, Krishna describes the process of detachment.
Chapter 15
The yoga of the Supreme Person: The material world is like an upside down banyan tree. One should cut it with the axe of detachment and surrender to Krishna. Due to material mind and senses, the jiva, although a fragmental part of Krishna, transmigrates. Krishna is the maintainer of all and is above the fallible (kṣaraḥ) and infallible (akṣaraḥ) living entities and is the Supersoul.
In chapter 15 Krishna described banyan tree of material world, but its fruits are not described. In chapter 16, Krishna describes the good fruits (divine qualities) and bad fruits (demoniac qualities).
Chapter 16
The divine and demoniac natures: Godly men are endowed with 26 divine qualities. Demoniac people have degraded qualities and their activities make them enter hell and lower species. Following the scriptures causes elevation and disregarding them causes degradation.
In 16.23, Krishna said that those who disregard scriptures and behave whimsically do not attain happiness in this life nor in the next. In 17.1, Arjuna asks Krishna about the unauthorised worship of those who have some faith not based on scriptures.
Chapter 17
The divisions of faith: Krishna explains that the 3 modes determine people’s faith which can be known by the nature of their foods, sacrifices, austerities and charity. m tat sat indicates Supreme Absolute Truth Vishnu.
In chapter 17, various systems of yoga and the supremacy of bhakti-yoga have been explained. In the last chapter, Krishna gives an overview of Bhagvad-gita and stresses that surrender unto Krishna in bhakti is the ultimate goal of life.
Chapter 18
Conclusion, the perfection of renunciation Krishna explains – tyaga in three modes; five factors of action; knowledge, work, worker, intelligence, determination and happiness in 3 modes; and purification through prescribed duties of varnasharam. Then Krishna describes Brahman platform, surrender to Supersoul and to Krishna.