In Bhagavad Gita 13.12, Krishna concludes: constancy in knowledge of the Self and insight into the goal of true knowledge; this is called knowledge, and what is contrary to it is ignorance.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अध्यात्मज्ञाननित्यत्वं
तत्त्वज्ञानार्थदर्शनम्
एतज्ज्ञानमिति प्रोक्तम्
अज्ञानं यदतोऽन्यथा ॥ १३-१२ ॥
adhyātmajñānanityatvaṃ
tattvajñānārthadarśanam
etajjñānamiti proktam
ajñānaṃ yadato’nyathā
English transliteration adhyaatmajnaananityatvam
tattvajnaanaarthadarshanam
etajjnaanamiti proktam
ajnaanam yadato’nyathaa ॥ 13.12 ॥
Translation / Meaning
constancy in the knowledge of the Self, and insight into the purpose of the knowledge of truth: this is declared to be knowledge. What is contrary to it is ignorance.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अध्यात्मज्ञाननित्यत्वम् adhyātmajñānanityatvam | constancy in knowledge of the Self adhyātma (the Self) + jñāna (knowledge) + nityatvam (constancy) |
| तत्त्वज्ञानार्थदर्शनम् tattvajñānārthadarśanam | insight into the purpose of the knowledge of truth tattva (truth) + jñāna (knowledge) + artha (purpose) + darśanam (insight) |
| एतत् etat | this |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| इति iti | thus |
| प्रोक्तम् proktam | declared |
| अज्ञानम् ajñānam | ignorance |
| यत् yat | what |
| अतः ataḥ | to this |
| अन्यथा anyathā | contrary |
Word-wise Chanting
- adh–yāt–ma–jñā–na–nit–yat–vaṃ 8 syllables adh-yaat-ma-jnaa-na-nit-yat-vam
- tat–tva–jñā–nār–tha–dar–śa–nam | 8 syllables tat-tva-jnaa-naar-tha-dar-sha-nam
- e–taj–jñā–na–mi–ti prok–tam– 8 syllables e-taj-jnaa-na-mi-ti prok-tam-
- a–jñā–naṃ ya–da–to–‘nya–thā || 13-12 8 syllables a-jnaa-nam ya-da-to-‘nya-thaa
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 13 Verse 12
Context
Krishna concludes the list of qualities of knowledge (13.8–13.12).
Meaning
The list ends with steady dwelling in adhyātma-jñāna, knowledge of the Self, and keeping in view the goal of all true knowledge, liberation. These twenty qualities together are called jñāna. Whatever is contrary to them is ajñāna, ignorance, however learned it may seem.
This redefines education. A person may know much but, lacking these qualities, remain ignorant. A person of simple learning but with these qualities is wise.
In Practice
Review the qualities in 13.8–13.12 and choose one to grow in this month.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 13: Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga (The Field and the Knower of the Field). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.