Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 Verse 4 Meaning

Hear from Me in brief what the field is, of what nature it is, what its modifications are, whence it is, who He is, and what His powers are.

BG 13.4

तत्क्षेत्रं यच्च यादृक् च यद्विकारि यतश्च यत्।स च यो यत्प्रभावश्च तत्समासेन मे श्रृणु

tat kṣhetraṁ yach cha yādṛik cha yad-vikāri yataśh cha yat sa cha yo yat-prabhāvaśh cha tat samāsena me śhṛiṇu

Meaning

Hear from Me in brief what the field is, of what nature it is, what its modifications are, whence it is, who He is, and what His powers are.

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What Does Bhagavad Gita 13.4 Mean?

The Gita addresses nature and spirit with characteristic directness here. Hear from Me in brief what the field is, of what nature it is, what its modifications are, whence it is, who He is, and what His powers are. Within the broader arc of Chapter 13, this verse builds on Krishna's systematic exposition of body and soul. Shankaracharya emphasizes that this teaching is not merely contextual but universal.

The principle of nature and spirit expressed here transcends its battlefield setting and speaks to the fundamental relationship between action, knowledge, and spiritual realization. In daily practice, this means bringing conscious awareness to moments where nature and spirit is tested — not as an impossible ideal but as a direction of growth. Each small alignment with this teaching strengthens the capacity for the next.

— Explained by the Nitya Team

What Is the Context of Bhagavad Gita 13.4?

Understanding the body (field) and the soul (knower of the field).

Key themes in this chapter include Body and soul, Knowledge, Nature.

How Can I Apply Bhagavad Gita 13.4 in Daily Life?

  • When you need steadiness while dealing with body and soul
  • When practicing knowledge amid uncertainty
  • When applying nature to real-life choices

Verse FAQs

What is the main idea of Bhagavad Gita 13.4?
The Gita addresses nature and spirit with characteristic directness here. Hear from Me in brief what the field is, of what nature it is, what its modifications are, whence it is, who He is, and what His powers are. Within the broader arc of Chapter 13, this verse builds on Krishna's systematic...
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 13.4 in daily life?
Apply this teaching when making choices or doing your duties. Focus on knowledge and keep your mind steady regardless of outcomes.

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← Back to Chapter 13: The Yoga of the Field and Knower

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