Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, Verse 4

English Translation

Hear from Me in brief about (all) that as to what that field is and how it is; what its changes are, and from what cause arises what effect; and who He is, and what His powers are.

Detailed Commentary

13.4. Commentary – Tat Kshetram (That Field) – The word 'Tat' (That) signifies both a subject previously mentioned and distance. What was referred to as 'Idam' (This) in the first verse of this chapter is here referred to as 'Tat'. The Kshetra is not omnipresent or eternal, and it is perishing every moment. This represents its distance (impermanence/separation from the eternal). Yat Cha (And what its nature is) – The true nature (Svarupa) of that Kshetra is described in the fifth verse of this very chapter. Yadrik Cha (And of what kind it is) – Its intrinsic nature (Svabhava) is described in the twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh verses of the chapter, where it is stated to be born and perishable. Yat Vikari (And what its modifications are) – Since it is a product of Prakriti, the twenty-three Tattvas mentioned in the fifth verse of this chapter are also called *vikaras* (modifications). However, here *ichchha* (desire), *dvesha* (aversion), etc., which are described in the sixth verse, are referred to as the *vikaras* of the Kshetra. Yatashcha Yat (And from what it arises) – That from which the Kshetra arises, i.e., the seven *vikaras* (modifications) and three *gunas* (qualities) arising from Prakriti, as described in the nineteenth verse. Sa Cha (And who He is) – The word 'Sah' (He) refers to the Kshetrajna (Knower of the Field) described in the first verse, and it is concerning Him that one is asked to listen. Yah (Who He is) – The true nature (Svarupa) of this Kshetrajna is described in the twentieth and twenty-second verses. Yat Prabhāvashcha (And what His influence is) – The influence (Prabhava) of the Kshetrajna is described from the thirty-first to the thirty-third verses. Tat Samasena Me Shrinu (Hear that from Me in brief) – Here, 'Tat' (that) should encompass both the Kshetra and the Kshetrajna. The import is that 'you should hear from Me in brief these four aspects of the Kshetra and two aspects of the Kshetrajna'. Although the Kshetra and Kshetrajna have been briefly described in the first two verses of this chapter, the clear distinction between the Kshetra and Kshetrajna begins to be expounded from the third verse. Therefore, the Lord commands one to listen to this attentively. In this verse, the Lord has commanded hearing about four aspects of the Kshetra and two aspects of the Kshetrajna. It is possible that one might inquire about the influence of the Kshetra and the nature of the Kshetrajna, but the Kshetra has no independent influence. The true nature (Svarupa) of the Kshetrajna is devoid of origin and destruction; therefore, its intrinsic nature (Svabhava) is also the same. Hence, the Lord has not described its intrinsic nature separately. Connection – What was commanded to be heard in brief in the previous verse is described in detail in the following verses.