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