Field and the Knower of the Field - 13 - 01

The Shloka

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अर्जुन उवाच।

प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव क्षेत्रं क्षेत्रज्ञमेव च ।

एतद्वेदितुमिच्छामि ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं च केशव ॥

———

arjuna uvāca ।

prakṛtiṁ puruṣaṁ caiva kṣetraṁ kṣetrajñameva ca ।

etadveditunicchāmi jñānaṁ jñeyaṁ ca keśava ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka marks the beginning of the thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, which delves into the nature of reality, the relationship between the body, the soul, and the Supreme Being. Arjuna’s questions set the stage for Krishna’s profound teachings on these essential topics, providing a framework for understanding the nature of existence and the path to liberation.

Arjuna said: O Keshava, I wish to learn about Prakriti (nature), Purusha (the enjoyer), the field (Kshetra), the knower of the field (Kshetrajna), knowledge (Jnana), and the object of knowledge (Jneya).

Arjuna asks Krishna to explain the nature of Prakriti (matter), Purusha (spirit), Kshetra (the field/body), Kshetrajna (the knower of the field/soul), Jnana (knowledge) and Jneya (the object of knowledge).

Arjuna, addressing Krishna as Keshava, expresses his desire to understand several fundamental concepts. He wants to learn about Prakriti, which refers to the material energy or nature. He also seeks knowledge about Purusha, the conscious enjoyer or the self. Furthermore, he is interested in understanding Kshetra, which represents the field of activity (the body), and Kshetrajna, the knower of the field (the soul). Finally, he wishes to comprehend Jnana, which is knowledge itself, and Jneya, the object of knowledge – that which is to be known.

Sentence - 1

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अर्जुन उवाच।

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Meaning

Arjuna said.

Meaning of Words

अर्जुन	arjunaḥ
Arjuna, the son of Kunti, and one of the main characters of the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita, is known for his bravery, righteousness, and devotion to Krishna.
उवाच	uvāca	said

Sentence - 2

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प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव क्षेत्रं क्षेत्रज्ञमेव च ।

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Meaning

And (I wish to know) about Prakriti (nature), Purusha (the enjoyer), the field (Kshetra), and the knower of the field (Kshetrajna).

Meaning of Words

प्रकृतिं	prakṛtiṁ
Nature, matter Prakriti refers to the primordial substance or material energy from which the physical world is manifested. It includes the three modes of nature: goodness (sattva), passion (rajas), and ignorance (tamas).
पुरुषं	puruṣaṁ
The enjoyer, the self Purusha refers to the conscious entity, the soul or self, which is distinct from Prakriti. It is the enjoyer of the experiences provided by Prakriti. In some contexts, it can refer to the Supreme Being (God).
च	ca	and
एव	eva	also, indeed
क्षेत्रं	kṣetraṁ
The field Kshetra refers to the field of activity, which is the physical body. It encompasses the physical and mental aspects of our existence.
क्षेत्रज्ञमेव	kṣetrajñameva
The knower of the field Kshetrajna refers to the one who knows the field, which is the soul (atman) that resides within the body and is aware of its experiences. It is the conscious observer of the activities within the Kshetra.

Sentence - 3

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एतद्वेदितुमिच्छामि ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं च केशव ॥

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Meaning

O Keshava, I wish to learn about these, (namely) knowledge (Jnana) and the object of knowledge (Jneya).

Meaning of Words

एतद्	etat	This
वेत्तुम्	vedituṁ	to know
इच्छामि	icchāmi	I wish
ज्ञानं	jñānaṁ
Jnana refers to knowledge itself, both theoretical and practical, leading to a deeper understanding of reality.
ज्ञेयं	jñeyaṁ
Jneya refers to the object of knowledge, that which is to be known or understood. It can refer to the ultimate reality or the Supreme Being.
केशव	keśava
O Keshava Keshava is one of the names of Lord Krishna. It has multiple meanings. One is ‘one with beautiful hair’ (keśa). Another common interpretation is derived from the roots ‘Ka’ (Brahma), ‘A’ (Vishnu), and ‘Isha’ (Shiva), implying Krishna is the Lord of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, embodying the divine trinity. The reason Arjuna uses this name is likely to invoke Krishna’s divine wisdom and authority in answering his questions.

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