Bhagvad-Gita: Treatise of Self-help - Page 40/50

Chapter 13 - Field and Farmer

This chapter of 35slokas, known askshetra kshetragjnya vibhaaga yoga, Field and Farmer, deals with body and spirit in the first half, and for the rest aboutPrakruti(Nature) andPurusha(Supreme Spirit). It may be noted that customarily the first verse that is carried here is either omitted altogether or retained unnumbered for reasons none explained. Thereby to avoid confusion in comparison, the same is numbered 0 in this text. One might notice that s10, advocating asceticism to which Lord Krishna is opposed, doesn't jell with the rest, either contextually or philosophically, and thus should be seen as an interpolation.

S22, which states that the Supreme Soul, lay in beings as a sustainer, consenter, enjoyer and overseer, contravenes its very nature expostulated in s16-s18, ch.15. Besides, as can be seen, it affects the continuity between s21 and s23 of this chapter. S30, akin to s15 is an irrelevant interpolation too.

0

Thus spoke Arjuna:

What is nature ’n its role,

What is spirit ’n its nature,

What is frame ’n who lords it

What makes feeling ’n sixth sense?

1

Thus spoke the Lord:

Sees who body his as field

Sees he all there is to see.

2

Knows who Spirit One dwells in all

Knows he all that’s there to know.

3

Lend thy ear, as I reveal

Nature of thy frame, as well

Spirit that tenants as farmer

Besides Him and His prowess.

4

In chants validate what Vedas

Aspects that well Brahmanas delve

Reasoned wise in varied ways.

5

Subject to reason, ego as well

Steeped is frame in elements five,

Earth, water, fire, ether and air

Organs those ten, as well mind.

6

Desire, derision, pleasure ’n pain

Pitch their tents in frames human.

7

Knowing is being -

Amiable and humble, simple ’n honest

Patient ’n decent, clean and clear

Not to speak of fair and firm –

8

Void of desires, egotism devoid

Passion none for life and times –

9

With no craving for possessions

Fondness none for things of life

None the averse, all the same.

11

Naive though fail to follow suit

Tend all wise to probe nature

And strive to see the Spirit in Me.

12

Let Me tell thee what’s needed

To let thee grasp the State Brahman

Which if done would bring in bliss.

13

All-Reaching, He’s All-Seeing

All Hearing, He pervades all.

14

Organs in His likeness made

Unlinked though to their senses,

He that sustains all three worlds

Unattached though to goings on.

15

In beings all ’n objects too

Within He lies, without as well,

If one comes to grasp this well