189. Field and Knower of the Field
T he thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is called ‘ Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhag Yoga’ ( yoga through the distinction between the field and the knower of the field). The chapter starts with Arjuna’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 knowledge is 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 term and in that sense this chapter presents a scientific perspective too. In verses 12.13 to 12.20, Krishna talked about various qualities which are dear to Him. Some of them are being content, not attached to anything, shraddha-vaan (one with shraddha or trust), free of ahankaar and forgiving. It is dropping hatred, agitation, desi...