Chapter 13: Kshetra-kshetrajna-vibhaga-yoga – Distinction between Object Field and its Knower / Verse 9

Explanation of verses 13.9 and 13.10 –

Krishna continues with the enumeration of virtues and disciplines that constitute spiritual knowledge.

Life is interactional, and interactions are always at the sensory level of the body. Senses interact with their respective objects, near and far. Eye interacts with colours and shapes, ear with sound, nose with smell, skin with touches and tongue with taste. All these transpire in the form of contacts, which means every interaction is sensed in one’s own body, not a millimetre away.

All attractions and repulsions are residing in the senses. Hence dispassion to sensory objects is indispensable for the seeker. Spiritual knowledge rests on dispassion.

Foster no ego. Have no doership, enjoyership or sufferership with regard to any act, its outcome or possession. Every time, these should be consciously dissuaded by the mind and intelligence. This is an attitudinal orientation one has to fervently imbibe and grow. The whole process works inwardly, in the mind and intelligence.

How to be free of doership, etc.? Everything is done by Nature, through its gunas, namely sattva, rajas and tamas (3.5). Nature, with its qualities, alone activates all organs in the body. This fact, nay truth, should guide the seeker every time. Interactions should not subdue or overpower this understanding. Let interactions continue, but sublimated by this understanding.

Repeated introspection over the ills of the world will help growing dispassion. Passion, though towards sense objects, grows verily in the mind. Treat it at the source level by intelligence, applying truthful introspection.

Foster no undue identity with family members. All are part of the world, like the five great elements. Let everything be, but none should subdue your clear vision any time. The enumeration of characteristics representing Knowledge continues.