A core teaching · devotional in mood · a little context helps
“Devoted listening can carry a person beyond fear and mortality.”
Others do not know these paths, but they worship by hearing from others. Even they cross beyond death if they listen with devotion.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
Read literallyothers · but · thus · not knowing · having heard · from others · they worship · they · also · and · cross beyond · indeed · death · devoted to hearing
Some people do not understand these practices directly, but they listen to wise teachers and worship with trust. Even they can go beyond death through devoted listening.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga" (Field and Knower of the Field).
Verse 26 sits in Chapter 13 of the Bhagavad Gita — Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga, "Field and Knower of the Field". The chapter has 35 verses in total.
You sit in a hospital corridor, not knowing what to do next, while one steady voice explains the next step. In that moment, trust in the right guidance matters more than having every answer.
Did you like this verse?
It shifts the mind from self-reliant certainty to receptive trust in living guidance.
What this verse means
Some people do not understand these practices directly, but they listen to wise teachers and worship with trust. Even they can go beyond death through devoted listening.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna has already heard that the field and the knower of the field can be known in different ways. Krishna adds that even people who cannot follow the full teaching can still move toward freedom by listening to realised teachers with devotion.
Why this verse still matters
You sit in a hospital corridor, not knowing what to do next, while one steady voice explains the next step. In that moment, trust in the right guidance matters more than having every answer.
“You do not need perfect understanding before you begin. Honest listening itself can transform you.”
Explore related themes: moksha (34 verses), shraddha (34 verses)