bhagavad-gitagitakrishnakshetra-kshetrajna-vibhaga-yoga

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

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १३.२ — इदं शरीरं कौन्तेय in English · English

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

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 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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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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śhrī-bhagavān uvācha🔊the Supreme Divine Lord said

idam🔊this

śharīram🔊body

kaunteya🔊O son of Kunti (Arjuna)

kṣhetram🔊the field (of activities)

iti🔊thus

abhidhīyate🔊is termed, is called

etat🔊this

yaḥ🔊one who

vetti🔊knows

tam🔊that person

prāhuḥ🔊is called, they say

kṣhetra-jñaḥ🔊the knower of the field

iti🔊thus

tat-vidaḥ🔊those who discern the truth, the knowers

Benefits of Chanting श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १३.२ — इदं शरीरं कौन्तेय

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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 श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १३.२ — इदं शरीरं कौन्तेय

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

This page shows the complete श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १३.२ — इदं शरीरं कौन्तेय written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

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.