Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, Verse 5 (BG 13.5) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

13.5 ऋषिभिः by Rishis? बहुधा in many ways? गीतम् sung? छन्दोभिः in chants? विविधैः various? पृथक् distinctive? ब्रह्मसूत्रपदैः in the suggestive words indicative of Brahman? च and? एव even? हेतुमद्भिः full of reasoning? विनिश्चितैः decisive.Commentary Many sages (such as Vasishtha) have talked about it (the true nature of the field and its knower) since ancient times. The ancient hymns? such as the Rig Veda? have explained this in various ways.The word Brahma Sutras refers to the Vedanta Sutras written by Vyasa or Badarayanacharya in order to reconcile the mutually contradictory passages in the Upanishads. A study of the Brahma Sutras is very necessary in order to comprehend the esoteric significance of the Upanishads. The Braham Sutras are also known by the name Sariraka Sutras because fifteen Sutras in the third Pada of the second chapter deal with the Sarira or Kshetra (body).The true nature of the field and its knower has also been taught in the Brahma Sutras which deal with Brahman such as Atmanyevopasita (only as the Self? let a man meditate on It.) (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad? I.4.7).They are full of reasoning? convincing and decisive. There is no doubt in the words or passages that treat of Brahman.

The discussion being presented in this chapter is neither empty rhetoric nor merely a product of Sri Krishna's imagination. Here, the Blessed Lord Himself clearly states that He is merely re-proclaiming the truth that has been realized and expounded by the ancient sages and seers. In essence, this chapter is an exposition of the principle of Brahman—the ultimate reality—which is the very subject matter of the Upanishads. One might ask: why should we readily accept the teachings of the sages of the Upanishads? Only those who lack faith in the sages would pose such a question. Lord Sri Krishna says that even if we do not hold the sages in great reverence and honor, we must still accept the truth they have expounded. Why? Because their statements are the reasoned and logically coherent conclusions of the Upanishads. Their teachings are neither intellectual treatises imposed arbitrarily, nor divine commandments thrust upon the helpless masses by some celestial messenger claiming special divine authority. When a truth is established through evidence, reason, and direct experience, any intelligent person must accept it simply because it is logically sound and consistent. After awakening interest in Arjuna's mind, the Blessed Lord speaks thus: