Chapter 13 Verse 7
Kṣhetra Kṣhetrajña Vibhāg Yog
इच्छा द्वेषः सुखं दुःखं सङ्घातश्चेतनाधृतिः।एतत्क्षेत्रं समासेन सविकारमुदाहृतम्।।13.7।।
ichchhā dveṣhaḥ sukhaṁ duḥkhaṁ saṅghātaśh chetanā dhṛitiḥ etat kṣhetraṁ samāsena sa-vikāram udāhṛitam
Word Meanings
| ichchhā | desire |
| dveṣhaḥ | aversion |
| sukham | happiness |
| duḥkham | misery |
| saṅghātaḥ | the aggregate |
| chetanā | the consciousness |
| dhṛitiḥ | the will |
| etat | all these |
| kṣhetram | the field of activities |
| samāsena | comprise of |
| sa-vikāram | with modifications |
| udāhṛitam | are said |
Translation
Desire, hatred, pleasure, pain, the aggregate (body), intelligence, and fortitude—the field has thus been briefly described with its modifications.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse lists the moving parts of the "field" — the body-mind where life happens: desire, aversion, pleasure, pain, the body, the thinking mind, and inner strength. These are described as changes or modifications of that field.
Philosophically, the verse points out that these experiences belong to the field, not to the unchanging witness or true self. They come and go; they are not the permanent center of who you are.
Recognizing them as temporary helps you step back from reactive behavior. When you see desires, dislikes, joys, or sorrows as parts of the field, you can choose actions from steady intelligence rather than from impulse.
Life Application
- Pause and name what you feel (desire, dislike, pleasure, pain) before you act; naming reduces automatic reaction.
- Strengthen steadiness with simple practices: a few deep breaths, a mindful pause, or one calm decision each morning.
- Use clear thinking to check consequences before following strong impulses; let intelligence guide action, not just emotion.
Reflection Question
Which of these — desire, aversion, pleasure, or pain — most often drives my choices, and how would I act differently if I saw it as only part of the field?