bhagavad-gitagitakrishnakshetra-kshetrajna-vibhaga-yoga

Bhagavad Gita 13.2 — Idam Shariram Kaunteya (Kshetra-Kshetrajna)

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १३.२ — इदं शरीरं कौन्तेय

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Morning meditation, or during self-inquiry and contemplative study·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, Verse 2

Also known as: idam shariram kaunteya · kshetra kshetrajna · kshetrajnam chapi mam viddhi · bhagavad gita 13.2 · gita 13 2 · the body is the field gita verse

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

This verse opens the thirteenth chapter with one of the Gita's most important distinctions: the body and all that is experienced is the 'field' (kshetra), while the conscious self that knows the body is the 'knower of the field' (kshetrajna). By teaching the seeker to discriminate between the ever-changing field and the witnessing knower within, Krishna lays the foundation of self-knowledge — the realization that we are not the body but the awareness that knows it.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, Verse 2 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

The thirteenth chapter, the Yoga of the Distinction between the Field and its Knower (Kshetra-Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga), turns from action and devotion to pure knowledge. In its opening teaching, Krishna defines the body as the 'field' and the conscious self as its 'knower', laying the groundwork for the discriminative wisdom by which the soul is realized as distinct from the body.

✦ As told in scripture

Teachers of Vedanta have long used this single distinction — field and knower — as the doorway to liberation; many seekers recount that simply holding to the truth 'I am the knower, not the field' dissolved long-standing fear of death and revealed an unshakeable inner peace.

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The Mantra

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श्रीभगवानुवाच इदं शरीरं कौन्तेय क्षेत्रमित्यभिधीयते। एतद्यो वेत्ति तं प्राहुः क्षेत्रज्ञ इति तद्विदः॥

śhrī-bhagavān uvācha idaṁ śharīraṁ kaunteya kṣhetram ity abhidhīyate etad yo vetti taṁ prāhuḥ kṣhetra-jña iti tad-vidaḥ

Meaning:The Blessed Lord said: O Arjuna, this body is called the field (kshetra); and one who knows this is called the knower of the field (kshetrajna) by those who understand the truth.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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श्रीभगवानुवाच🔊śhrī-bhagavān uvāchathe Supreme Divine Lord said

इदम्🔊idamthis

शरीरम्🔊śharīrambody

कौन्तेय🔊kaunteyaO son of Kunti (Arjuna)

क्षेत्रम्🔊kṣhetramthe field (of activities)

इति🔊itithus

अभिधीयते🔊abhidhīyateis termed, is called

एतत्🔊etatthis

यः🔊yaḥone who

वेत्ति🔊vettiknows

तम्🔊tamthat person

प्राहुः🔊prāhuḥis called, they say

क्षेत्रज्ञः🔊kṣhetra-jñaḥthe knower of the field

इति🔊itithus

तद्विदः🔊tat-vidaḥthose who discern the truth, the knowers

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 13.2 — Idam Shariram Kaunteya (Kshetra-Kshetrajna)

✦

Establishes the foundational discrimination between body (field) and Self (knower)

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Awakens self-knowledge — the realization that we are the witnessing consciousness

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Brings detachment and peace by loosening identification with the changing body

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Provides a clear framework for meditation and inner inquiry

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Reduces fear and grief by revealing the deathless knower behind the perishable field

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Guides the seeker toward the wisdom that liberates (kshetra-kshetrajna jnana)

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 13.2 — Idam Shariram Kaunteya (Kshetra-Kshetrajna)

Repetitions11times

Best TimeMorning meditation, or during self-inquiry and contemplative study

Chant this verse as the opening of a contemplation on 'Who am I?' As you recite 'kshetram' (the field) and 'kshetrajna' (the knower), let the mind distinguish between the body and experiences on one side, and the silent awareness that knows them on the other. Use it before meditation to settle into your identity as the witnessing knower, abiding peacefully behind all that is seen and felt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Krishna introduces the key distinction of the thirteenth chapter: the body is the 'field' (kshetra), and the conscious self who knows the body is the 'knower of the field' (kshetrajna). The verse begins the teaching of self-knowledge by separating the experienced from the experiencer.

The kshetra is the body along with the mind, senses and all that is perceived — the arena of experience. The kshetrajna is the conscious self, the witness who is aware of the field. The wisdom of discriminating between the two is the heart of this chapter.

Because liberation begins when we stop identifying with the perishable body and recognize ourselves as the deathless knower. This discrimination dissolves fear, grief and attachment, and forms the basis of meditation, self-inquiry and the knowledge that leads to freedom.

Throughout the day, gently notice the difference between what you experience (sensations, thoughts, the body — the field) and the awareness that knows them (the knower). Chanting this verse strengthens that discrimination, bringing detachment, steadiness and inner peace.