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Chapter 13 · Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness · 35 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Bhakti & surrenderChapter 13 · Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness
13.2513.27

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 13.26

Routes to realization and devotional hearing

Īśvara · God

अन्ये त्वेवमजानन्त: श्रुत्वान्येभ्य उपासते ।

तेऽपि चातितरन्त्येव मृत्युं श्रुतिपरायणा: ॥ २६ ॥

anye tv evam ajānantaḥ

śrutvānyebhya upāsate

te ’pi cātitaranty eva

mṛtyuṁ śruti-parāyaṇāḥ

Translation

Again there are those who, although not conversant in spiritual knowledge, begin to worship the Supreme Person upon hearing about Him from others. Because of their tendency to hear from authorities, they also transcend the path of birth and death.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Spiritual Progress Through Hearing

  1. 1

    Even without spiritual knowledge, those who hear from authorities and begin worshiping the Supreme Person can go beyond birth and death.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that faithful hearing from realized souls leads to devotion and helps one return home, back to Godhead.

  3. 3

    Hear about the Supreme Lord from a pure devotee, follow his guidance, and listen to the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.

Key points from the purport

Bhakti is the easiest and the best path to understand this science

This verse talks about those who, although not conversant with spiritual knowledge:

They begin to worship the Supreme Person upon hearing about him from others

Because of tendency to hear, they also transcend the path of birth and death

Conclusion: Hearing with faith from authorities has great potency

a

This verse especially applies to modern society

Because in modern society – There is practically no education in spiritual matters

Some people appear atheistic, agnostic or philosophical, but actually they have no knowledge of philosophy

b

Qualification — Any common man, if a good soul – has a chance of advancing by hearing

c

Lord Caitanya stresses “hearing” as important process

Simply hear from authority and especially hearing Hare Krishna Maha-mantra

He also recommends as per SB. 10.14.3 that there is no need to change your position but

Only give up the endeavor to know Absolute Truth by speculative reasonings, and

Learn to become servant of those in knowledge of the Supreme Lord

d

Benediction

If one takes advantage of hearing from realized souls, he gradually understands everything

Automatically leads to Supreme Lord’s worship

e

Conclusive advice

By good fortune, take shelter of pure devotee

Hear from him and follow his footsteps

Thus gradual elevation to pure devotion

Connected verses · 1

Texts 13.25 & 13.26

Can one advance if he cannot meditate, pursue sankhya or practice niskama-karma-yoga.

Further reading

Krishna Explains Prakrti, Purusa And Their Union

(Krishna addresses the 1st and 2nd questions)

Prakrti, Purusa (the “jiva” or ksetra-jna) and their union (13.20-13.22):

Material nature causes all material changes and effects, and

Living entity meets with good and bad according to the qualities he has acquired due to his association with material nature

Paramatma Purusa (ksetra-jna) (13.23): The Supersoul exists within all bodies as the overseer, the permitter, and the supreme proprietor.

Result: One who understands the prakrti, purusa and their interactions attains liberation from birth in material world

Other methods of obtaining liberation are jnana, astanga and karma (13.25 – 13.26)

Chapter 13, section IV: Krishna Explains Prakrti, Purusa And Their Union
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. anyeothers
  2. tubut
  3. evamthus
  4. ajānantaḥwithout spiritual knowledge
  5. śrutvāby hearing
  6. anyebhyaḥfrom others
  7. upāsatebegin to worship
  8. tethey
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 13.26 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 13.25Routes to realization and devotional hearingBG 13.27Routes to realization and devotional hearingBG 3.30Offer every action to KrishnaBG 6.47The highest yogi is devoted
Live this todayKnow the Two KnowersA practice from BG 13.3, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
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