Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 13 · Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 13.1 प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव क्षेत्रं क्षेत्रज्ञमेव
श्लोक 13.1
अर्जुन उवाच ।
प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव क्षेत्रं क्षेत्रज्ञमेव च ।
एतद्वेदितुमिच्छामि ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं च केशव ॥
arjuna uvāca |
prakṛtiṃ puruṣaṃ caiva kṣetraṃ kṣetrajñameva ca |
etadveditumicchāmi jñānaṃ jñeyaṃ ca keśava ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
अर्जुन ने कहा: हे केशव (श्रीकृष्ण), मैं प्रकृति और पुरुष, क्षेत्र और क्षेत्रज्ञ, तथा ज्ञान और ज्ञेय (जानने योग्य तत्त्व) के विषय में जानना चाहता हूँ।
Meaning in English
Arjuna said: O Keshava (Krishna), I wish to understand Prakriti (nature) and Purusha (spirit), the field and the knower of the field, and also knowledge and that which is to be known.
Bhagavad Gita 13.1 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| प्रकृतिम् | prakṛtim | nature, matter |
| पुरुषम् | puruṣam | the conscious spirit |
| च एव | ca eva | and also |
| क्षेत्रम् | kṣetram | the field |
| क्षेत्रज्ञम् | kṣetrajñam | the knower of the field |
| एव च | eva ca | and also |
| एतत् | etat | this |
| वेदितुम् | veditum | to know |
| इच्छामि | icchāmi | I wish |
| ज्ञानम् | jñānam | knowledge |
| ज्ञेयम् | jñeyam | that which is to be known |
| च | ca | and |
| केशव | keśava | O Keshava |
Explanation
Arjuna asks Krishna to explain six things: prakriti (nature) and purusha (spirit), the field and the knower of the field, and knowledge and the object of knowledge. These pairs set the agenda for the whole chapter, which separates what we observe from the one who observes.
This verse is missing from many manuscripts, and Shankara's commentary begins with the next verse, so many printed editions count chapter 13 as 34 verses. Others, including this site, keep Arjuna's question and number the chapter 1 to 35. Whichever count is used, the questions it raises are exactly the topics Krishna goes on to explain: the body as field, the self as knower, the qualities that make up true knowledge, and Brahman as the final object of knowledge.
भावार्थ
अर्जुन ने कहा — हे केशव! मैं प्रकृति और पुरुष, क्षेत्र और क्षेत्रज्ञ, तथा ज्ञान और ज्ञेय — इन सबको जानना चाहता हूँ। ये ही छह विषय इस पूरे अध्याय में क्रम से समझाए गए हैं।
Living it today
Before chasing answers, get your questions clear. Arjuna's precise list shows that asking well is half of learning.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 13.1?
Arjuna asks Krishna to explain six things: prakriti (nature) and purusha (spirit), the field and the knower of the field, and knowledge and the object of knowledge. These pairs set the agenda for the whole chapter, which separates what we observe from the one who observes.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 13.1?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 13 (Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 13.1 in daily life?
Before chasing answers, get your questions clear. Arjuna's precise list shows that asking well is half of learning.
Reflected on verse 13.1?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.