Chapter 13Verse 25 of 34

Bhagavad Gita 13.25

अन्ये त्वेवमजानन्तः श्रुत्वान्येभ्य उपासते। तेऽपि चातितरन्त्येव मृत्युं श्रुतिपरायणाः॥

anye tv evam ajānantaḥ śrutvānyebhya upāsate te 'pi cātitaranty eva mṛtyuṁ śruti-parāyaṇāḥ

Translation

Yet others, not knowing thus, worship having heard from others. They also cross over death, being devoted to what they have heard.

A fourth path opens, almost as a concession but really a gift. Not everyone will work out the metaphysics. Most will not have time. Many will not have the temperament. The verse names a quieter route: hearing from others, and worshiping on that basis. Shruti-parayanah, those whose mainstay is what has been heard. Even they cross over death. The bar of access is low. You do not have to be a yogi, a philosopher, or a renunciate. You can simply trust what a teacher said, sit with it, return to it. The chapter is being radically inclusive here. The point is to not let intellectual incapacity become a reason to give up the inquiry.

Reflection

Pick one teaching you heard from someone you trusted. Sit with it briefly today.

Read this verse in its chapter: Chapter Thirteen

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