Chapter 13, Verse 2 (Bhagavad Gita 13.2)
Sanskrit Shloka
श्री भगवानुवाचइदं शरीरं कौन्तेय क्षेत्रमित्यभिधीयते।एतद्यो वेत्ति तं प्राहुः क्षेत्रज्ञ इति तद्विदः
Transliteration
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha idaṁ śharīraṁ kaunteya kṣhetram ity abhidhīyate etad yo vetti taṁ prāhuḥ kṣhetra-jña iti tad-vidaḥ
Word Meanings
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha—the Supreme Divine Lord said; idam—this; śharīram—body; kaunteya—Arjun, the son of Kunti; kṣhetram—the field of activities; iti—thus; abhidhīyate—is termed as; etat—this; yaḥ—one who; vetti—knows; tam—that person; prāhuḥ—is called; kṣhetra-jñaḥ—the knower of the field; iti—thus; tat-vidaḥ—those who discern the truth
Translation
Shri Krishna said: O Arjuna, this body is known as the field, and those who know it are called the knower of the field by the sages who understand the truth.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound revelation, Bhagwan Shri Krishna distinguishes between the material body, which acts as the field of action and karma, and the conscious soul, which is the knower of that field. By categorizing the body as a field, Yogeshwar Krishna invites the seeker to detach from their physical identity and recognize themselves as the witness, the eternal observer residing within. This shift in perspective is the foundation of liberation, as it allows the soul to transcend the limitations of the material world. When one realizes their true identity as the 'Kshetrajna,' they move closer to the divine consciousness of Shri Krishna. Ultimately, this wisdom serves as the key to navigating the battlefield of life with equanimity and devotion, leading the soul toward the ultimate destination of Moksha.