The story · Karṇa learns that he is Kuntī’s child though raised by Adhiratha and Rādhā.
Background only: the Gītā verses below mention the people involved, but don't tell this story themselves.
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Chapter13
Kṣetra-kṣetrajña-vibhāga-yoga · 35 verses
Nature, the Enjoyer, and Consciousness
Knowing the difference between the body, the soul, and the Supersoul.
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Verse notes
Every verse in simple words, from Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Tap a verse to study it in depth.
BG 13.1The Body and Its Knower
Study this verse- Arjuna asks Kṛṣṇa about nature, the enjoyer, the field and its knower, knowledge, and the object of knowledge.
- Prabhupāda explains that the body is the soul’s field of activity, and the soul, its knower, is different from it.
- Consider how your body changes as you grow, while you remain the same person. This helps you understand that you are not the body.
BG 13.2The Body and Its Knower
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa says the body is the field, and the one who knows it is the knower of the field.
- Prabhupāda explains that the body is the conditioned soul’s field of activity. The soul is different from the body and is always subordinate to the Supreme Lord.
- Reflect on how your body has changed since childhood while you remain the same person. This helps you understand that you are different from your body.
BG 13.3The Knower in All Bodies
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa says He knows all bodies. Understanding the body and its knower is knowledge.
- Prabhupāda explains that the individual soul knows its own body, while Kṛṣṇa as the Supersoul knows and controls all bodies.
- Study the body, the individual soul, and the Supersoul as distinct. Recognize Kṛṣṇa as the supreme controller of both the body and the soul.
BG 13.4The Field and Its Knower
Study this verse- The Lord asks us to hear about the field of activity, its makeup, changes and origin, and its knower and his influences.
- Prabhupāda explains that we must understand the body and distinguish the individual soul from the Supersoul, whose powers differ.
- Learn directly from the Lord’s description in Bhagavad-gītā, without treating the individual soul as equal to the Supreme Lord.
BG 13.5Knowledge from Vedic Authorities
Study this verse- Sages explain the field of activities and its knower in Vedic writings, especially Vedānta-sūtra, with reasoning about cause and effect.
- Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme Lord is the supreme knower of the field, while the individual soul is a subordinate knower.
- Seek to enjoy in harmony with the Supreme Lord, who is full of joy. Prabhupāda says this brings the living being to perfection.
BG 13.6The Field of Activities
Study this verse- The verse lists the elements, senses, mind, feelings and other factors that make up the field of activities and its interactions.
- Prabhupāda explains that the body represents this temporary material field, while the knower of the field is different from it.
- Study the twenty-four elements and their interactions to better understand the field of activities.
BG 13.7The Field of Activities
Study this verse- The verse lists the elements, senses, mind, feelings and other factors that make up the field of activities and its interactions.
- Prabhupāda explains that the body is this temporary material field, while the knower of the field is different from it.
- Study the twenty-four elements and their interactions to better understand the field of activities.
BG 13.8The Path of True Knowledge
Study this verse- Knowledge includes humility, freedom from pride, nonviolence, tolerance, simplicity, accepting a genuine spiritual master, cleanliness, steadiness, and self-control.
- Prabhupāda explains that this process leads to pure devotional service to Kṛṣṇa, through which all these good qualities develop.
- Approach a genuine spiritual master humbly and serve him. His guidance is essential for spiritual progress.
BG 13.9Knowledge Beyond Bodily Life
Study this verse- Knowledge includes giving up sense gratification and false ego, and recognizing the suffering of birth, death, old age and disease.
- Prabhupāda explains that this process frees the soul from bodily entanglement and leads to pure devotional service to Kṛṣṇa.
- Avoid unnecessary demands of the senses; meet the body’s needs so you can make spiritual progress.
BG 13.10Detachment and a Steady Mind
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa calls detachment from family and home, and a steady mind in pleasant and unpleasant events, part of knowledge.
- Prabhupāda explains that this process of knowledge leads to pure devotional service to the Lord.
- Practice keeping your mind steady when pleasant or unpleasant things happen.
BG 13.11Pure Devotion and Knowledge
Study this verse- The verse calls for constant, pure devotion to Kṛṣṇa, seeking solitude, and detachment from the general crowd.
- Prabhupāda explains that knowledge leads to pure devotional service, through which all the other good qualities develop.
- Practice remembering Kṛṣṇa and chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa to cleanse the mind.
BG 13.12The Path of Knowledge
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa declares these qualities, self-realization, and the search for the Absolute Truth to be knowledge. Whatever lies outside this is ignorance.
- Prabhupāda explains that this process leads to pure devotional service to Kṛṣṇa. Through full devotion, the other qualities of knowledge develop naturally.
- Approach a genuine spiritual master with humility and offer service. His guidance is essential for spiritual progress.
BG 13.13Knowing the Eternal Soul
Study this verse- Knowing Brahman lets one taste the eternal. This spirit is beginningless, subordinate to the Lord, and beyond material cause and effect.
- Prabhupāda explains that Brahman here means the individual soul, who is never born, never dies, and eternally serves the Supreme Lord.
- Study the soul and the Supersoul to understand eternal life and your relationship of service to the Lord.
BG 13.14The Supersoul Is Everywhere
Study this verse- The Supersoul pervades everything, with hands, legs, eyes, heads, faces and ears everywhere.
- Prabhupāda explains that all living beings exist in the Supersoul. Unlike Him, the individual soul is not all-pervading.
- Offer the Lord a flower, fruit or a little water, knowing that He can accept it even from His faraway abode.
BG 13.15The Lord’s Spiritual Senses
Study this verse- The Supersoul is the source of all senses, yet is without senses. He maintains everyone without attachment and rules material nature while remaining beyond it.
- Prabhupāda explains that the Lord has spiritual senses, not material ones. He is a person with an eternal spiritual form, untouched by material nature.
- Remember that the Lord lives in your heart and knows your actions in the past, present and future.
BG 13.16The Supreme Is Always Near
Study this verse- The Supreme Truth is inside and outside all beings, moving and nonmoving. He is beyond material senses, far away yet near to all.
- Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme Person can be seen and understood only through devotional service, not through material senses.
- Practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness through devotional service to purify your mind and senses and develop love for Him.
BG 13.17One Supersoul in All
Study this verse- The Supersoul appears divided among all beings but remains one. He maintains, devours, and develops all.
- Prabhupāda explains that the Lord is in every heart without dividing Himself, just as one sun appears in many places.
- Everything comes from the Lord, rests in His power, and returns to rest in Him after annihilation.
BG 13.18The Lord in Every Heart
Study this verse- The Lord gives light to all shining things and is beyond material darkness. He is knowledge, its object and its goal, and lives in everyone’s heart.
- Prabhupāda explains that the Supersoul is the supreme controller and shelter of all beings. He is always different from the individual soul.
- Surrender to the Supreme Lord for liberation. Only by knowing Him can one go beyond birth and death.
BG 13.19Understanding Through Devotion
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa summarizes the body, knowledge and the knowable. Only His devotees can fully understand them and attain His nature.
- Prabhupāda explains that pure devotees gain real knowledge by understanding themselves in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- Turn your attention from material concerns to Kṛṣṇa’s activities, seeking to understand devotional service.
BG 13.20Nature and the Living Entity
Study this verse- Material nature and living entities have no beginning. Transformations and the modes of matter come from material nature.
- Prabhupāda explains that each living entity is a spiritual part of the Supreme Lord. Bodily changes do not change the soul.
- Use this chance in the material world to serve the Supreme Lord and prepare to enter the spiritual world.
BG 13.21Nature and the Living Entity
Study this verse- Material nature causes material causes and effects; the living entity causes its own suffering and enjoyment.
- Prabhupāda explains that nature gives the soul a body according to its past desires and actions. Bodily happiness and distress are not the soul’s original state.
- The Supreme Lord is so kind that He always stays with the individual soul as the Supersoul, in every circumstance.
BG 13.22Rising Above Material Nature
Study this verse- Through association with material nature’s three modes, the living being experiences good and evil in different species.
- Prabhupāda explains that material attachment leads to repeated changes of body. Only Kṛṣṇa consciousness frees one from this cycle.
- Hear from authoritative sources to gradually reduce the desire to control material nature and experience spiritual happiness.
BG 13.23The Supersoul Within
Study this verse- The Supersoul is the Lord within the body, the supreme owner and enjoyer who oversees and permits activities.
- Prabhupāda explains that the Supersoul is different from the individual soul and stays with each soul as a friend and maintainer.
- Place your faith in the Supreme Lord and follow His instructions in Bhagavad-gītā to advance toward a joyful, eternal life of knowledge.
BG 13.24Knowledge That Leads to Liberation
Study this verse- One who understands material nature, the living being and the modes of nature will be liberated and not take birth here again, whatever their present position.
- Prabhupāda explains that understanding nature, the Supersoul, the individual soul and their relationship leads to eternal, blissful life in the spiritual world.
- Study Bhagavad-gītā with guidance from saintly persons and a spiritual master to understand your position and return to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
BG 13.25Perceiving the Supersoul
Study this verse- Some perceive the Supersoul within through meditation, knowledge, or work without desire for rewards.
- Prabhupāda explains that devotees have the best spiritual understanding: the Supreme Lord is present in everyone as the Supersoul.
- Work without seeking rewards, using this chance to advance toward devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
BG 13.26Spiritual Progress Through Hearing
Study this verse- Even without spiritual knowledge, those who hear from authorities and begin worshiping the Supreme Person can go beyond birth and death.
- Prabhupāda explains that faithful hearing from realized souls leads to devotion and helps one return home, back to Godhead.
- Hear about the Supreme Lord from a pure devotee, follow his guidance, and listen to the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.
BG 13.27Nature and the Living Entity
Study this verse- Everything moving or nonmoving is a combination of the field of activities and the knower of the field.
- Prabhupāda explains that these are material nature and the living entity. Without the living entity, nothing can grow.
- Recognize that the Supreme Lord brings these two natures together and controls them both.
BG 13.28Seeing Beyond the Body
Study this verse- One who truly sees knows that the Supersoul accompanies the soul in every body, and neither is ever destroyed.
- Prabhupāda explains that good spiritual association helps us understand the body, the soul who owns it, and the Supersoul, the soul’s friend.
- Seek the company of someone who truly knows spiritual subjects to understand that life does not end when the body is destroyed.
BG 13.29Seeing the Supersoul Everywhere
Study this verse- One who sees the Supersoul equally in every living being does not degrade himself by his mind and approaches the spiritual destination.
- Prabhupāda explains that seeing the Supreme Lord in every living thing prevents a destructive mentality and leads gradually to the spiritual world.
- Turn your mind from sense gratification to the Supersoul to grow in spiritual understanding.
BG 13.30Seeing Beyond Bodily Activities
Study this verse- One who truly sees understands that the body, made of material nature, performs all activities, while the self does nothing.
- Prabhupāda explains that the body is a machine designed by the Supreme Lord and given according to one’s past desires.
- Practice seeing the self as separate from bodily activities, including bodily happiness and distress.
BG 13.31Seeing Beyond Material Bodies
Study this verse- One reaches the Brahman conception by seeing living beings everywhere without judging their identities by their different bodies.
- Prabhupāda explains that different bodies arise from the soul’s desires and contact with material nature. These bodies do not truly belong to the soul.
- Learn to see beyond bodily labels. This spiritual vision purifies consciousness and helps one develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness in one’s spiritual identity.
BG 13.32The Soul Is Eternal
Study this verse- Those with eternal vision see that the soul is beyond nature’s modes and neither acts nor becomes entangled in the body.
- Prabhupāda explains that only the body is born. The soul is unborn, cannot be destroyed, and is naturally full of bliss.
- Remember that the soul’s eternal nature does not change through contact with a material body.
BG 13.33The Soul Remains Apart
Study this verse- Like the sky, the soul in Brahman vision does not mix with the body, though living within it.
- Prabhupāda explains that the soul remains separate from different bodies because of its subtle nature.
- Material eyes cannot see how the soul contacts the body or leaves it after the body is destroyed.
BG 13.34The Soul and Consciousness
Study this verse- As one sun lights the universe, the soul lights the whole body with consciousness.
- Prabhupāda explains that consciousness proves the soul’s presence; it is not produced by matter.
- The individual soul is conscious of one body, but the Supersoul, the soul’s friend, is conscious of all bodies.
BG 13.35Knowledge That Leads to Liberation
Study this verse- Those who understand the difference between the body and its knower, and the way to freedom from material bondage, reach the supreme goal.
- Prabhupāda explains that the body, the soul, and the Supersoul are distinct. Understanding them makes one eligible to enter the spiritual world.
- Hear about God in good association, and study this chapter with a spiritual master's guidance.
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Stories
The Mahābhārata background, and stories Prabhupāda tells in his purports. Tap one to read it.