Chapter 13, Verse 7
इच्छा द्वेष: सुखं दु:खं सङ्घातश्चेतना धृति: |
एतत्क्षेत्रं समासेन सविकारमुदाहृतम् ॥7॥
icchā dveṣaḥ sukhaṃ duḥkhaṃ saṅghātaś cetanā dhṛtiḥ |
etat kṣetraṃ samāsena sa-vikāram udāhṛtam
"Desire, repulsion, happiness, sorrow, the aggregate (the physical body), sentience, and fortitude—this, in brief, is the field (kṣhetra) together with its modifications."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 13.7 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 13.7 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
In this verse, Lord Krishna defines the 'Kshetra' (the Field) not just as the physical body, but as the entire psychological and biological apparatus. He includes emotional states (desire, hatred), hedonic states (pleasure, pain), the biological structure (the aggregate of organs), and even the reflected consciousness and the will. By categorizing these as part of the 'Field,' Krishna teaches that our internal experiences are objects of perception, distinct from the 'Knower' (the Soul). This classification helps the seeker detach from fleeting emotions and mental states by recognizing them as mere 'modifications' of the material energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 13.7?
Desire, repulsion, happiness, sorrow, the aggregate (the physical body), sentience, and fortitude—this, in brief, is the field (kṣhetra) together with its modifications.