Verse 13.25
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
ध्यानेनात्मनि पश्यन्ति केचिदात्मानमात्मना | अन्ये साङ्ख्येन योगेन कर्मयोगेन चापरे ||२५||
Transliteration (IAST)
dhyānenātmani paśyanti kecid ātmānam ātmanā | anye sāṅkhyena yogena karma-yogena cāpare ||25||
Word-by-Word Meanings
dhyānena-by meditation
ātmani-in the Self
paśyanti-perceive/see
kecit-some
ātmānam-the Self
ātmanā-by the self (mind)
sāṅkhyena yogena-by the yoga of knowledge (Sankhya)
karma-yogena-by the yoga of action
Translation
Some perceive the Self in the self through meditation; others through the yoga of knowledge (Sankhya); and still others through the yoga of action.
Commentary
Krishna acknowledges multiple valid paths to Self-realization: dhyāna (meditation), sāṅkhya (analytical discrimination), and karma-yoga (selfless action). This verse demonstrates the Gita's inclusive approach - different temperaments require different methods. Madhva notes that all paths ultimately converge on the same truth, though they suit different capacities.
Themes
yogajnanakarma