1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 13 · Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness · 35 verses

1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Krishna’s natureChapter 13 · Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness
13.1813.20

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 13.19

The supreme knower and all-pervading Supersoul

Īśvara · God

इति क्षेत्रं तथा ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं चोक्तं समासत: ।

मद्भ‍क्त एतद्विज्ञाय मद्भ‍ावायोपपद्यते ॥ १९ ॥

iti kṣetraṁ tathā jñānaṁ

jñeyaṁ coktaṁ samāsataḥ

mad-bhakta etad vijñāya

mad-bhāvāyopapadyate

Translation

Thus the field of activities [the body], knowledge and the knowable have been summarily described by Me. Only My devotees can understand this thoroughly and thus attain to My nature.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Understanding Through Devotion

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa summarizes the body, knowledge and the knowable. Only His devotees can fully understand them and attain His nature.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that pure devotees gain real knowledge by understanding themselves in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  3. 3

    Turn your attention from material concerns to Kṛṣṇa’s activities, seeking to understand devotional service.

Key points from the purport

Science of Kshetra, Kshetra-jna, Jnana and Jneyam is most fully understood only by devotees (mad- bhakta)

a

Vijnana — Knower, knowable and process of knowing is called “Science of knowledge” or vijnana

b

Opinion of monists — At ultimate stage the above mentioned three items become one

But the devotees do not agree to this

c

Knowledge means understanding oneself in Krishna consciousness and realizing Krishna in everything

Knowledge is nothing but preliminary stage of understanding devotional service perfectly

d

Conclusion — Texts 13.13 – 13.18 explain the “Soul and Supersoul as the knowable”

Supersoul is the ultimate object to be known

Connected verses · 1

Texts 13.18 & 13.19

Krishna ends his explanation of the ‘knowable’ by describing to Arjuna the qualifications of one able to understand these topics.

Further reading

Krishna Explains The Object Of Knowledge

(Krishna addresses the 6th question)

The soul can know the Supersoul, the ultimate object of knowledge

Only devotees can understand - the field of activities (the body), process of knowledge and both the soul and Supersoul

Chapter 13, section III: Krishna Explains The Object Of Knowledge
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. kṣetramthe field of activities (the body)
  3. tathāalso
  4. jñānamknowledge
  5. jñeyamthe knowable
  6. caalso
  7. uktamdescribed
  8. samāsataḥin summary
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhagavān, vibhūti.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 13.19 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to krishna’s nature?

Practice

Notice something excellent and see it as His opulence.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 13.13The supreme knower and all-pervading SupersoulBG 13.14The supreme knower and all-pervading SupersoulBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 11.51Composure returns in Krishna’s personal presence
Live this todayKnow the Two KnowersA practice from BG 13.3, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction