In Class 15 of the Bhagavad Gita, Shree Krishna explains the fundamental concepts of kṣhetra (the field of activities) and kṣhetrajña (the knower of the field), as well as prakṛiti (material nature) and puruṣh (the soul). Krishna's discourse provides insight into the distinction between the body and the soul, the consequences of ignorance, and the true path to liberation through knowledge and detachment.
Kṣhetra and Kṣhetrajña: The Field and the Knower
Shree Krishna begins by explaining the concept of kṣhetra and kṣhetrajña:
इदं शरीरं कौन्तेय क्षेत्रमित्यभिधीयते |
एतद्यो वेत्ति तं प्राहु: क्षेत्रज्ञ इति तद्विद: ||
"The Supreme Divine Lord said: O Arjun, this body is termed as kṣhetra (the field of activities), and the one who knows this body is called kṣhetrajña (the knower of the field) by the sages who discern the truth about both." (BG 13.2)
The physical body is referred to as kṣhetra, the field of activities, while the soul within the body is the kṣhetrajña, the knower of the field. The body is where experiences such as pleasure, pain, joy, and sorrow take place, but the soul is the conscious observer. Just as a farmer cultivates a field but is distinct from it, the soul experiences life through the body but remains separate.
The Components of Kṣhetra – The Field of Activities
Krishna explains that the body (kṣhetra) is composed of 24 elements:
- Pañcha-mahābhūta: The five gross elements – earth, water, fire, air, and space.
- Pañch-tanmātrās: The five sense objects – taste, touch, smell, sight, and sound.
- Panch karmendriya: The five working senses – voice, hands, legs, genitals, and anus.
- Panch gyanendriya: The five knowledge senses – ears, eyes, tongue, skin, and nose.
- Mind, intellect, ego, and prakṛiti: The primordial form of material energy.
These elements belong to material nature, are impermanent, and are subject to change. Krishna also explains the five kośhas, or sheaths, that cover the soul, forming the layers of the body:
- Annamaya kośh: The gross sheath consisting of the five gross elements.
- Prāṇamaya kośh: The life-airs sheath, consisting of the five life airs – prāṇ, apān, vyān, samān, and udān.
- Manomaya kośh: The mental sheath consisting of the mind and the five working senses.
- Vijñānamaya kośh: The intellectual sheath, consisting of the intellect and the five knowledge senses.
- Ānandmaya kośh: The bliss sheath, consisting of the ego that makes us identify with the body-mind-intellect mechanism.
The path of realisation involves moving inward through these sheaths to experience the eternal centre of consciousness.
Kṣhetrajña – The Knower of the Field
The soul, as the kṣhetrajña, is divine and distinct from the body-mind-intellect mechanism. However, due to ignorance, the soul forgets its divine nature and identifies with material entities, believing itself to be the body. The soul vicariously experiences the world through the body yet remains distinct.
Krishna also introduces the concept of the Supreme Knower:
क्षेत्रज्ञं चापि मां विद्धि सर्वक्षेत्रेषु भारत |
क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञयोर्ज्ञानं यत्तज्ज्ञानं मतं मम ||
"O scion of Bharat, I am also the knower of all the individual fields of activity. The understanding of the body as the field of activities and the soul and God as the knowers of the field—this I hold to be true knowledge." (BG 13.3)
God, as the Sarva Kṣhetrajña (the knower of all fields), resides within every being. He is the source of light and knowledge and dwells within the hearts of all living beings:
ज्योतिषामपि तज्ज्योतिस्तमस: परमुच्यते |
ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं ज्ञानगम्यं हृदि सर्वस्य विष्ठितम् ||
"He is the source of light in all luminaries and is entirely beyond the darkness of ignorance. He is knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the goal of knowledge. He dwells within the hearts of all living beings." (BG 13.18)
Prakṛiti and Puruṣh: Material Nature and the Soul
Krishna describes prakṛiti (material nature) as insentient and eternal, existing as long as God has existed. The soul, or puruṣh, is also eternal, while God Himself is the param puruṣh (the Supreme Living Entity).
प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव विद्ध्यनादी उभावपि |
विकारांश्च गुणांश्चैव विद्धि प्रकृतिसम्भवान् ||
"Know that prakṛiti (material nature) and puruṣh (the individual souls) are both beginningless. Also, know that all transformations of the body and the three modes of nature are produced by material energy." (BG 13.20)
While the body is mutable and subject to change, the soul remains constant and unaffected. Krishna explains the six stages of the body in a lifetime:
- Asti: Existence in the womb.
- Jāyate: Birth.
- Vardhate: Growth.
- Vipariṇamate: Procreation.
- Apakṣhīyate: Diminution.
- Vinaśhyati: Death.
These changes are brought about by material energy, while the soul remains unchanged throughout different lifetimes.
The Soul's Illusion: Caught in Material Nature
The material energy, directed by Brahma, creates myriad forms of life that compose creation. There are 8.4 million species of life in the material world, all produced by material energy. The soul becomes trapped in the material world when it identifies with the body, mind, and intellect and seeks pleasure through sensory experiences.
The soul mistakenly believes that it is enjoying the pleasures of the body when, in reality, it experiences pleasure and pain indirectly through the senses. This attachment to prakṛiti results in ignorance of the soul's true spiritual nature.
Path to Liberation: Knowledge and Detachment
Krishna emphasises the importance of realising the distinction between the body and the soul. By understanding the kṣhetra-kṣhetrajña relationship, one can detach from the body's actions and experiences and see that they do not affect the soul.
क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञयोरेवमन्तरं ज्ञानचक्षुषा |
भूतप्रकृतिमोक्षं च ये विदुर्यान्ति ते परम् ||
"Those who perceive with the eyes of knowledge the difference between the body and the knower of the body and the process of release from material nature attain the supreme destination." (BG 13.35)
True knowledge is gained when one acquires theoretical knowledge from a Guru and engages in spiritual practice.
True Knowledge and Its Goal
Krishna reveals the nature of the field, the meaning of knowledge, and the object of knowledge:
इति क्षेत्रं तथा ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं चोक्तं समासत: |
मद्भक्त एतद्विज्ञाय मद्भावायोपपद्यते || (BG 13.19)
"I have thus revealed to you the nature of the field, the meaning of knowledge, and the object of knowledge. Only My devotees can understand this in reality, and by doing so, they attain My divine nature."
Understanding the distinction between the body and soul and detaching from material entanglements is essential for spiritual growth.
Key Learnings from Today's Class
- Distinction Between Kṣhetra and Kṣhetrajña
Krishna explains the difference between the body (kṣhetra) and the soul (kṣhetrajña). While the body is mutable and subject to change, the soul is eternal and remains unaffected by bodily transformations. - The Mutable vs. Immutable Nature
The body, composed of material elements, undergoes constant change. However, the soul is immutable and unaffected by the body's growth, decline, and death. - The Consequence of Ignorance
Ignorance causes the soul to falsely identify with the body and become trapped in the cycles of birth and rebirth. It is essential to understand the true nature of the soul to break free from material bondage. - Importance of Knowledge
True knowledge lies in understanding the distinction between the body and soul and recognising God as the Supreme Knower of all fields. By acquiring this knowledge and practising detachment, one can attain liberation. - Connection with the Divine
Realising the difference between the kṣhetra and the kṣhetrajña inspires individuals to connect with the divine through spiritual practices and devotion.
Conclusion: Attaining True Knowledge
Krishna's teachings in this class emphasise the importance of understanding the distinction between the body and the soul. By realising the true nature of the kṣhetra (body) and the kṣhetrajña (soul), individuals can cultivate detachment from material nature and align themselves with their divine purpose. This knowledge is the key to breaking free from the cycles of birth and rebirth and ultimately attaining the supreme goal of liberation.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Bhagavad Gita Simplified [English]- 28th September 2024
