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Bhakti Sastri - Unit 3 - Bhagavad-Gita

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Session 1 - 18th September 2025

HG Akincana Krsna Das

Unit 3 - Chapters 13 to 18

Unit 1 -

In the first six chapters of Bhagavad-gītā the knower of the body (the living entity) and the position by which he can understand the Supreme Lord are described. In the middle six chapters of the Bhagavad-gītā the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the relationship between the individual soul and the Supersoul in regard to devotional service are described.

Chapter 13

In the first six chapters of Bhagavad-gétä, Kåñëa discussed how karma-yoga, action on the platform of knowledge, leads to bhakti. In the second six chapters, Kåñëa spoke directly of Himself and the glories of devotional service. In the third six chapters, Kåñëa discusses how jïäna leads to bhakti. Starting with the Thirteenth Chapter, how the living entity comes into contact with material nature and how he is delivered by the Supreme Lord through the different methods of fruitive activities, cultivation of knowledge, and devotional service are explained.

We start talking about Jnana yoga.

KSETRA AND KSETRAJNÄ (1–7)

In Chapter 12, Verse 7, Kåñëa has promised to redeem His devotees. To that end, He will now declare the knowledge needed to elevate His devotees from the material world. Arjuna asks Kåñëa to explain six topics: prakåti, puruña, kñetra, kñetra-jïa, jïäna, and jïeya. Kåñëa explains knowledge of the field of activities and the knower of the field.

THE PROCESS OF KNOWLEDGE (8–12)

Having described knowledge of the field and knower of the field, Kåñëa now explains the process of knowledge beginning with humility and culminating in realization of the Absolute Truth (verses 8–12).

THE OBJECT OF KNOWLEDGE (13–19)

In verses 13-19 the object of knowledge (jïeyam), or the soul and Supersoul is discussed. Previously, Kåñëa explained the soul and Supersoul as kñetra-jïa, or knowers of the field. By understanding the difference between the body, the soul and the Supersoul and by following the process of knowledge, the soul can transcend dualities, realize his eternal subordination to Kåñëa and attain the supreme destination.

PRAKRATI, PURUSA AND THEIR UNION (20–26)

Having described jïeya as the self and the Supersoul, Kåñëa now explains the soul and Supersoul as puruña, in terms of their connection with material nature. One who understands prakåti, puruña and their interactions attains liberation from birth in this world. Other methods of understanding the Supersoul are jïäna and añöäìga-yoga.

JNANA-CAKSUSÄ: THE VISION OF KNOWLEDGE (27–35)

Those who see the distinction between the body, its owner and the Supersoul, and who recognize the process of liberation, can attain the supreme goal.

Therefore the body is called kṣetra, or the field of activity for the conditioned soul. Now, the person, who should not identify himself with the body, is called kṣetra-jña, the knower of the field.

2 - Knowers of the field/body (ksetrajna)
1. Fallible - subordinate
2. Infallible - superior

Similarities

Dissimlarities?

6 November 2025

SURRENDER TO KÅÑËA (56–66)

After explaining the importance of devotional service for understanding Him, Kåñëa describes how one can overcome all obstacles by depending on Him and working under His protection. He next explains more confidential knowledge of Supersoul, then the most confidential knowledge of surrender to Him by becoming His devotee.

ARJUNA AGREES TO FIGHT AND VICTORY IS ASSURED BY SAÏJAYA (67–78)

After hearing the instructions of Kåñëa, Arjuna is fixed in determination and ready to fight. Saïjaya, after narrating this conversation to Dhåtaräñöra, ecstatically thinks of the universal form of Kåñëa and predicts victory for Arjuna, the supreme archer, for he is surrendered to Kåñëa, the master of all mystics. This is his reply to Dhåtaräñöra’s oblique question, which opened the Bhagavad-gétä.

Sum and substance of all the scriptures

Sum and substance of BG

The process of surrender to Kṛṣṇa is described in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (11.676): ānukūlyasya saṅkalpaḥ
prātikūlyasya varjanam
rakṣiṣyatīti viśvāso
goptṛtve varaṇaṁ tathā
ātma-nikṣepa-kārpaṇye
ṣaḍ-vidhā śaraṇāgatiḥ