The thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is called 𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖 𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙣𝙖 𝙑𝙞𝙗𝙝𝙖𝙜 𝙔𝙤𝙜 (Yoga through the distinction between the field and the Knower of the field). The chapter starts with Arjun's question, “I wish to understand what are 𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙠𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞 (nature or matter) and 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙝 (spirit or living entity); and what are 𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖 (field) and 𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙣𝙖 (knower of the field). I also wish to know what is knowledge and that which ought to be known" (13.1). Krishna replies, "This body is termed as 𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖 and the one who knows this is called 𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙣𝙖 " (13.2). 𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖 or field is a scientific word and in that sense, this chapter presents a scientific perspective too.

In verses 12.13 to 12.20, Krishna talked about various attributes which are dear to Him. These include dropping hatred, agitation, desires, expectations, jealousy, fear and anxiety; attaining 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙫𝙖 (equanimity) by treating praise and insult; honour and dishonour; 𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙝 (pleasure) and 𝙙𝙪𝙠𝙝 (suffering) as the same; being alike to friend and foe; being content, not attached to anything, 𝙨𝙝𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙖𝙣 (one with  𝙨𝙝𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙝𝙖 or trust), free of 𝙖𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙖𝙖𝙧 and forgiving.

The natural questions are -how to shed negative attributes and how to attain equanimity. Scientifically, all of them exist in the 𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖 which is our physical body or mind.  𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙣𝙖 is the one who experiences them. In other words, 𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙣𝙖 brings life to 𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖 which carries the attributes, feelings and emotions.

The solution is to drop identification with these attributes by attaining 𝙨𝙖𝙖𝙠𝙨𝙝𝙞 𝙗𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙫 or being witness to them when they pass through our physical body or 𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖 . Temporary numbing through alcohol and other substances brings a similar effect but it is about bringing the separation through awareness at the existential level. It is realising that 𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖 and 𝙆𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙣𝙖 are separate and the realisation about the separation strengthens 𝙨𝙖𝙖𝙠𝙨𝙝𝙞 𝙗𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙫.