Bhagavad Gita 13.33 (BG 13.33) | Kṣetra-kṣetrajña-vibhāga-yoga: Distinction between object Field and its Knower
Bhagavad Gita 13.33 The Self Compared to All-Pervading Space
यथा सर्वगतं सौक्ष्म्यादाकाशं नोपलिप्यते।
सर्वत्रावस्थितो देहे तथात्मा नोपलिप्यते ॥
English Transliteration
yathā sarvagataṃ saukṣmyād-
ākāśaṃ nopalipyate
sarvatrāvasthito dehe
tathātmā nopalipyate – 13.33
Bhagavad Gita 13.34 The Supreme Self Illuminates the Field Like the Sun
यथा प्रकाशयत्येक: कृत्स्नं लोकमिमं रवि:।
क्षेत्रं क्षेत्री तथा कृत्स्नं प्रकाशयति भारत ॥
English Transliteration
yathā prakāśayaty-eka:
kṛtsnaṃ lokam-imaṃ ravi:
kṣetraṃ kṣetrī tathā kṛtsnaṃ
prakāśayati bhārata – 13.34
Translation
Just as the all-pervading space, due to its subtlety, does not court any stain, the Soul, permeating throughout the body, is not tainted by anything (happening to the body).
As the one Sun illumines this whole world, so does the one Subject Consciousness (Kshetrī) reveal the entire object-world (kshetra), O Bhārata.
BG 13.33: Chanting Audio
Chapter 13: Kṣetra-kṣetrajña-vibhāga-yoga: – Distinction between Object Field and its Knower - Verse 33
Ma Gurupriya
BG 13.33: Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Krishna, in conclusion, gives two illustrations from the object world to explain how the Soul remains absolutely unaffected while bringing about the perception of the entire object-world.
Of the five elements, space is all-pervading due to its subtlety. Likewise, the Soul in our body is subtle and all-pervasive. The space, while hosting the tremendous activities of the Universe, never gets tainted by them. The Soul too, while allowing all the functions of the body-mind personality, never gets affected the least by them.
As the single Sun reveals the infinite variety of objects, the One Soul reveals all the forms and activities manifesting in Prakṛti. The Soul’s spiritual brilliance is what enables the mind and intelligence to comprehend the objects.
The Soul also reveals the subtle inner pulsations like thought, emotion, knowledge, etc. It wakes you up from sleep, revealing your own presence and that of the world around. At the end of the day, the same Soul wipes off all wakeful impressions and puts you to sleep, making all objects extinct.
Sun’s brilliance is external, visual. The Soul’s is an inner spiritual splendour, revealing everything inside. Even the external objects perceived by the senses, will have to be revealed by the Soul to be known by us.
This is in full answer to Arjuna’s enquiry and need: How to fight the grandfather and teachers? The very thought evoked untold emotional turbulence and ethical resistance, which are creations of his mind and intelligence.
Krishna’s appeasing and enlightening revelations are such that, if absorbed, they will comfort the mind and enlighten the intelligence of one and all.
