In Bhagavad Gita 13.26, Krishna says others, not knowing these paths, worship having heard from others; they too, devoted to what they hear, cross beyond death.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अन्ये त्वेवमजानन्तः
श्रुत्वान्येभ्य उपासते
तेऽपि चातितरन्त्येव
मृत्युं श्रुतिपरायणाः ॥ १३-२६ ॥
anye tvevamajānantaḥ
śrutvānyebhya upāsate
te’pi cātitarantyeva
mṛtyuṃ śrutiparāyaṇāḥ
English transliteration anye tvevamajaanantah
shrutvaanyebhya upaasate
te’pi chaatitarantyeva
mrityum shrutiparaayanaah ॥ 13.26 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Yet others, not knowing this, worship having heard it from others. They too, devoted to what they have heard, cross beyond death.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अन्ये anye | others |
| तु tu | yet |
| एवम् evam | this |
| अजानन्तः ajānantaḥ | not knowing |
| श्रुत्वा śrutvā | having heard |
| अन्येभ्यः anyebhyaḥ | from others |
| उपासते upāsate | worship |
| ते te | they |
| अपि api | too |
| च ca | and |
| अतितरन्ति atitaranti | cross beyond |
| एव eva | indeed |
| मृत्युम् mṛtyum | death |
| श्रुतिपरायणाः śrutiparāyaṇāḥ | devoted to what they have heard śruti (what is heard) + parāyaṇāḥ (devoted) |
Word-wise Chanting
- an–ye tve–va–ma–jā–nan–taḥ 8 syllables an-ye tve-va-ma-jaa-nan-tah
- śrut–vān–yebh–ya u–pā–sa–te | 8 syllables shrut-vaan-yebh-ya u-paa-sa-te
- te–‘pi cā–ti–ta–ran–tye–va 8 syllables te-‘pi chaa-ti-ta-ran-tye-va
- mṛt–yuṃ śru–ti–pa–rā–ya–ṇāḥ || 13-26 8 syllables mrit-yum shru-ti-pa-raa-ya-naah
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 26
Context
Krishna includes those who follow by faith (13.25–13.26).
Meaning
Not everyone can practise meditation, philosophy or disciplined action. Some simply hear the truth from teachers and worship with faith. Being śruti-parāyaṇa, devoted to what they have heard, they too cross beyond death.
This verse honours simple faith. A sincere heart that trusts and follows the teachings of the wise also reaches the goal.
In Practice
Value the teachings you have received from others, and put one into practice today with simple faith.
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.