kṣetraṁ kṣetrī ca eva evaṁ kṛtsnaṁ jagat udīritam

evaṁ kṣetraṁ ca kṣetrī ca kṛtsnaṁ jagat udīritam (thus, the field and the knower of the field and the whole universe are described)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya interprets the term 'kṣetra' to denote the body and the senses, while 'kṣetrī' refers to the Self, or pure consciousness. This verse, kṣetraṁ kṣetrī caivaivam kṛtsnaṁ jagat udīritam, is seen as an affirmation of the non-dual nature of reality, where the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond the distinctions of the field and the knower of the field. Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning, as seen in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, emphasizes that the knowledge of the kṣetra and kṣetrī leads to the understanding of the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self is ultimately one with the universal Self. This understanding is crucial for realizing the non-dual nature of reality, freeing the individual from the cycles of birth and death.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, the Śrībhāṣya, views this verse as emphasizing the distinction between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). The 'kṣetra' represents the world and the body, while 'kṣetrī' is the jīva, which is dependent on Īśvara. This relationship between the jīva and Īśvara is central to Rāmānuja's Vishishtadvaita philosophy, which posits a qualified non-dualism. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, interprets this verse in the context of his Dvaita philosophy, emphasizing the clear distinction between the individual souls and God, with the field and the knower of the field representing different levels of reality, all under the dominion of the Supreme Lord. Both Rāmānuja and Madhva stress the importance of understanding this verse in the context of the devotional relationship between the individual and the divine.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical and universal application of Vedāntic principles. For this verse, he would likely highlight the idea that understanding the 'kṣetra' and 'kṣetrī' is not merely an intellectual exercise but a call to realize one's true nature beyond the limitations of the body and the external world. He might argue, as in his speech 'The Real Nature of Man', that recognizing the distinction and ultimate unity between the field (the world of phenomena) and the knower of the field (the individual consciousness) is crucial for achieving self-realization and contributing to the betterment of society. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, also explores this theme, suggesting that the kṣetra-kṣetrī concept has implications for how we live our lives and interact with the world, encouraging a holistic view that integrates the individual, the world, and the ultimate reality.

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