Bhagavad Gita BG 13.26
Chapter 13, Verse 26 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
अन्ये त्वेवमजानन्तः श्रुत्वान्येभ्य उपासते । तेऽपि चातितरन्त्येव मृत्युं श्रुतिपरायणाः ॥
anye tv evam ajanantah shrutvanyebhya upasate te 'pi catitraranty eva mrtyum shruti-parayanah
Meaning
Others, not knowing this (by their own realization), hear from others and worship accordingly — even they cross over death, devoted to what they have heard.
Understanding
A fourth path — perhaps the most compassionate verse in this section: anye tv evam ajanantah (others, not knowing in this direct way — without direct realization through dhyana, Sankhya, or karma yoga). Shrutvanyebhya upasate (having heard from others, they worship/practice accordingly — faith-based practice following the teaching of a teacher or scripture). Te 'pi ca atitraranty eva (EVEN THEY cross over death). Shruti-parayanah (devoted to what they have heard — committed to the teaching they received by ear). Krishna's generosity here is remarkable: even those who cannot meditate deeply, cannot practice Sankhya discrimination, cannot do karma yoga — but who sincerely follow what they have heard from a teacher — these too are freed. Sraddha (faith) is itself a valid vehicle.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अजानन्तः | ajanantah | not knowing (by direct experience), without direct realization |
| श्रुत्वा | shrutva | having heard, after hearing (from a teacher) |
| उपासते | upasate | they worship, they practice, they follow |
| अतितरन्ति | atitraranty | they cross over, they transcend |
| श्रुतिपरायणाः | shruti-parayanah | devoted to what is heard, devoted to the teaching received |
| अन्ये | anye tu | but others |
| एवम् | evam | thus |
| अजानन्तः | ajānantaḥ | not knowing |
| श्रुत्वा | śrutvā | having heard |
| अन्येभ्यः | anyebhyaḥ | from others |
| उपासते | upāsate | they worship, they follow |
| ते | te api | they also |
| एव | eva | indeed |
| मृत्युम् | mṛtyum | death |
| श्रुति-परायणाः | śruti-parāyaṇāḥ | devoted to listening |
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