In Bhagavad Gita 13.13, Krishna promises to describe what is to be known, knowing which one attains immortality: the beginningless supreme Brahman, called neither being nor non-being.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
ज्ञेयं यत्तत्प्रवक्ष्यामि
यज्ज्ञात्वामृतमश्नुते
अनादिमत्परं ब्रह्म
न सत्तन्नासदुच्यते ॥ १३-१३ ॥
jñeyaṃ yattatpravakṣyāmi
yajjñātvāmṛtamaśnute
anādimatparaṃ brahma
na sattannāsaducyate
English transliteration jneyam yattatpravakshyaami
yajjnaatvaamritamashnute
anaadimatparam brahma
na sattannaasaduchyate ॥ 13.13 ॥
Translation / Meaning
I shall describe that which is to be known, knowing which one attains immortality. It is the beginningless supreme Brahman, which is said to be neither being nor non-being.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ज्ञेयम् jñeyam | that which is to be known |
| यत् yat | which |
| तत् tat | that |
| प्रवक्ष्यामि pravakṣyāmi | I shall describe |
| यत् yat | which |
| ज्ञात्वा jñātvā | knowing |
| अमृतम् amṛtam | immortality |
| अश्नुते aśnute | attains |
| अनादिमत् anādimat | beginningless |
| परम् param | supreme |
| ब्रह्म brahma | Brahman |
| न na | not |
| सत् sat | being |
| तत् tat | that |
| न na | not |
| असत् asat | non-being |
| उच्यते ucyate | is said |
Word-wise Chanting
- jñe–yaṃ yat–tat–pra–vakṣ–yā–mi 8 syllables jne-yam yat-tat-pra-vaksh-yaa-mi
- yaj–jñāt–vā–mṛ–ta–maś–nu–te | 8 syllables yaj-jnaat-vaa-mri-ta-mash-nu-te
- a–nā–di–mat–pa–raṃ brah–ma 8 syllables a-naa-di-mat-pa-ram brah-ma
- na sat–tan–nā–sa–duc–ya–te || 13-13 8 syllables na sat-tan-naa-sa-duch-ya-te
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 13
Context
Krishna turns to the jñeya, that which is to be known (13.13–13.18).
Meaning
The supreme object of knowledge is Brahman, anādimat, without beginning. Knowing it brings amṛta, immortality. It cannot be described as sat, an existing object, nor as asat, non-existent. It is beyond all categories of thought.
Brahman is not one more thing among things. It is the ground of all things, beyond the ordinary concepts of existence and non-existence.
In Practice
Sit quietly and let go of all ideas, even the idea of existence, resting in pure awareness.
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.