Topic

Philosophy

2 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on philosophy. Explore teachings across 2 chapters.

All Verses

Chapter 13 • Verse 11 →The Yoga of the Field and the Knower of the Field
Adhyatma-jnana-nityatvam tattva-jnanartha-darshanam, etaj jnanam iti proktam ajnanam yad ato 'nyatha

Constancy in self-knowledge, and philosophical pursuit of the Absolute Truth — all this is declared to be knowledge, and whatever is contrary to this is ignorance. True knowledge is the sustained inner quest for ultimate reality.

  • •Knowledge is defined by its orientation toward the Absolute
  • •Anything detracting from self-realization is ignorance
  • •Philosophical inquiry and self-study are inseparable from knowledge
self-knowledgeabsolute truthignorancerealization
Chapter 18 • Verse 13 →The Yoga of Liberation and Renunciation
pancaitani maha-baho karanani nibodha me sankhye krtante proktani siddhaye sarva-karmanam

Krishna asks Arjuna to learn from the Sankhya system the five causes for the accomplishment of all actions. This teaching draws on the analytical tradition of Sankhya to explain the metaphysical structure underlying all activity.

  • •All actions have five underlying causes according to Sankhya philosophy
  • •Understanding these causes leads to true wisdom about agency
  • •Krishna integrates Sankhya analysis into his practical teaching
sankhyacausationactionfive-causes