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Chapter 13 • Verse 17
The Yoga of the Field and the Knower of the Field
MEANING & CONTEXT
Krishna continues describing the Supreme's paradoxical nature. 'Avibhaktaṁ ca bhūteṣu vibhaktaṁ iva ca sthitam'—it is undivided, yet it exists as if divided in all beings. The Supreme is one, yet it appears as many individual consciousnesses. 'Bhūta-bhartṛ'—the sustainer of beings. The Supreme sustains all. 'Grasiṣṇu'—the destroyer. The Supreme dissolves the field. 'Prabhaviṣṇu'—the creator. The Supreme creates the field. This verse emphasizes that the Supreme is the source—it creates, sustains, and dissolves the field. The field comes from the Supreme, exists in the Supreme, and returns to the Supreme. When you understand this, you recognize the Supreme as the source of everything—the field, the knower, all. The Supreme is undivided (one), yet appears divided (many individual consciousnesses). It's the source of creation, sustenance, and dissolution.
Explore Human Experiences
How this ancient wisdom applies to your daily life
Key Takeaway
Krishna continues describing the Supreme. The Supreme is undivided, yet it exists as if divided in all beings. It is the sustainer, destroyer, and creator of all beings—the source of creation, sustenance, and dissolution. Most people see only separation—different people, different consciousnesses, different beings. They think: 'We're all separate. Everyone is different.' But they're seeing only the appearance. The Supreme is undivided (one), yet appears divided (many individual consciousnesses). The appearance is divided, but the reality is one. Most people think creation, sustenance, and destruction are separate processes. They think: 'Life creates, sustains, destroys. These are different things.' But they're not recognizing the source. The Supreme is the creator, sustainer, and destroyer—the source of all processes. The field comes from the Supreme, exists in the Supreme, and returns to the Supreme. When you understand this, you recognize the Supreme as the source of everything—the field, the knower, all. The field appears divided, but the knower is one. The field has processes, but the Supreme is the source of the processes. The field is temporary, but the Supreme is eternal. This distinction becomes clear when you understand the Supreme as the source.
Personal Reflection
Do you see only separation, or do you recognize the unity behind it? Do you see only processes, or do you recognize the source? What would change if you understood the Supreme as the source—creator, sustainer, destroyer of all?
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