189. Field and Knower of the Field



The thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is called Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhag Yog (Yoga through the distinction between the field and the Knower of the field). The chapter starts with Arjun's question, “I wish to understand what are prakriti (nature or matter) and purush (spirit or living entity); and what are kshetra (field) and kshetrajna (knower of the field). I also wish to know what is knowledge and that which ought to be known" (13.1). Krishna replies, "This body is termed as kshetra and the one who knows this is called kshetrajna"(13.2). Kshetra or field is a scientific word and in that sense, this chapter presents a scientific perspective too.

In verses 12.13 to 12.20, Krishna talked about various attributes which are dear to Him. These include dropping hatred, agitation, desires, expectations, jealousy, fear and anxiety; attaining samatva (equanimity) by treating praise and insult; honour and dishonour; sukh (pleasure) and dukh (suffering) as the same; being alike to friend and foe; being content, not attached to anything, shradhavaan (one with shraddha or trust), free of ahankaar and forgiving. 

The natural questions are -how to shed negative attributes and how to attain equanimity. Scientifically, all of them exist in the kshetra which is our physical body or mind.  kshetrajna is the one who experiences them. In other words, kshetrajna brings life to kshetra which carries the attributes, feelings and emotions. 

The solution is to drop identification with these attributes by attaining saakshi bhaav or being witness to them when they pass through our physical body or kshetra. Temporary numbing through alcohol and other substances brings a similar effect but it is about bringing the separation through awareness at the existential level. It is realising that kshetra and kshetrajna are separate and the realisation about the separation strengthens saakshi bhaav.

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