Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, Verse 26 (BG 13.26) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

13.26 अन्ये others? तु indeed? एवम् thus? अजानन्तः not knowing? श्रुत्वा having heard? अन्येभ्यः from others? उपासते worship? ते they? अपि also? च and? अतितरन्ति cross beyond? एव even? मृत्युम् death? श्रुतिपरायणाः regarding what they have heard as the Supreme refuge.Commentary The three paths? viz.? the Yoga of meditation? the Yoga of knowledge? and the Yoga of action to attain the knowledge of the Self were described in the previous verse. In this verse the Yoga of worship is described.Some who are ignorant of the methods described in the previous verse listen to the teachings of the spiritual preceptors regarding this great Truth or the Self with intense and unshakable faith? solely depending upon the authority of others instructions? and through constant remembrance and contemplation of them attain immortality. They are devoted to their preceptor. Some study the books written by realised seers? stick with great faith to the teachings contained therein and live according to them. They also overcome death. Whichever path one follows? one eventually attains the knowledge of the Self and final liberation from birth and death? -- salvation (Moksha). There are several paths to suit aspirants of different temperaments and eipments.Freeing oneself from ignorance with its effects through the knowledge of the Self? is crossing the Samsara or attaining immortality or overcoming death or obtaining release or salvation.

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

After expounding the paths suited to those of superior and middling capacity, the Teacher of the Gita now reveals a means for those of slower intellect. There are indeed some souls who lack the capacity to engage in any one of the three—meditation, the path of knowledge, or the yoga of action. For their spiritual unfoldment, the sole remedy is this: they should hear from a Teacher concerning worship and devotion, and then worship the Divine according to such instruction. Even these shall transcend death. It is observed in this world that those of slower intellect are abundantly endowed with faith. Therefore, if such seekers of slower intellect engage in worship with reverence, according to the teachings received, they too can cross beyond this transient, death-bound world and realize the eternal truth. One should not understand death merely as the dissolution of the body. This word is employed here in its broader sense. Through identification with the impermanent and non-self conditions, we remain subject to their transformations. This painful experience of constant change is what is called death. To know the eternal, unchanging atman, distinct from these, is to transcend death—that is, to remain unmoved and unaffected amidst all transformations. Sri Shankara declares: If even those lacking discrimination attain liberation merely through hearing the teachings of others, what need be said of those possessed of independent discernment who engage in verified inquiry? Surely they attain liberation. Through all these means, what is the ultimate goal to be accomplished? This is now explained.