BHAGAVAD-GITA 13:26

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BHAGAVAD-GITA 13:26

 

anye tv evam ajanantah

srutvanyebhya upasate

te 'pi catitaranty eva

mrtyum sruti-parayanah

 

WORD FOR WORD

 

anye--others; tu--but; evam--thus; ajanantah--without spiritual

knowledge; srutva--by hearing; anyebhyah--from others; upasate--begin

to worship; te--they; api--also; ca--and; atitaranti--transcend;

eva--certainly; mrtyum--the path of death; sruti-parayanah--inclined

to the process of hearing.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Again there are those who, although not conversant in spiritual

knowledge, begin to worship the Supreme Person upon hearing about Him

from others. Because of their tendency to hear from authorities, they

also transcend the path of birth and death.

 

PURPORT

 

This verse is particularly applicable to modern society because in

modern society there is practically no education in spiritual matters.

Some of the people may appear to be atheistic or agnostic or

philosophical, but actually there is no knowledge of philosophy. As

for the common man, if he is a good soul, then there is a chance for

advancement by hearing. This hearing process is very important. Lord

Caitanya, who preached Krsna consciousness in the modern world, gave

great stress to hearing because if the common man simply hears from

authoritative sources he can progress, especially, according to Lord

Caitanya, if he hears the transcendental vibration Hare Krsna, Hare

Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare

Hare. It is stated, therefore, that all men should take advantage of

hearing from realized souls and gradually become able to understand

everything. The worship of the Supreme Lord will then undoubtedly take

place. Lord Caitanya has said that in this age no one needs to change

his position, but one should give up the endeavor to understand the

Absolute Truth by speculative reasoning. One should learn to become

the servant of those who are in knowledge of the Supreme Lord. If one

is fortunate enough to take shelter of a pure devotee, hear from him

about self-realization and follow in his footsteps, one will be

gradually elevated to the position of a pure devotee. In this verse

particularly, the process of hearing is strongly recommended, and this

is very appropriate. Although the common man is often not as capable

as so-called philosophers, faithful hearing from an authoritative

person will help one transcend this material existence and go back to

Godhead, back to home.

 

Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with

permission.