Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 13 · Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 13.16 बहिरन्तश्च भूतानामचरं चरमेव च
श्लोक 13.16
बहिरन्तश्च भूतानामचरं चरमेव च ।
सूक्ष्मत्वात्तदविज्ञेयं दूरस्थं चान्तिके च तत् ॥
bahirantaśca bhūtānāmacaraṃ carameva ca |
sūkṣmatvāttadavijñeyaṃ dūrasthaṃ cāntike ca tat ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
वह सब प्राणियों के बाहर भी है और भीतर भी; अचल भी है और चल भी। सूक्ष्म होने के कारण वह जाना नहीं जा सकता; वह दूर भी है और पास भी।
Meaning in English
It is outside and inside all beings; it is unmoving and also moving. Being so subtle, it cannot be grasped; it is far away, and yet very near.
Bhagavad Gita 13.16 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| बहिः | bahiḥ | outside |
| अन्तः च | antaḥ ca | and inside |
| भूतानाम् | bhūtānām | of all beings |
| अचरम् | acaram | the unmoving |
| चरम् एव च | caram eva ca | and also the moving |
| सूक्ष्मत्वात् | sūkṣmatvāt | because of its subtlety |
| तत् | tat | that |
| अविज्ञेयम् | avijñeyam | cannot be grasped |
| दूरस्थम् | dūrastham | far away |
| च अन्तिके च | ca antike ca | and also near |
| तत् | tat | that |
Explanation
It is outside and inside all beings, both the unmoving and the moving. Because it is so subtle it cannot be grasped, and it is both far away and very near. It is far from those who look outside, and closest of all to those who look within.
The language recalls the Isha Upanishad, which says that it is far and it is near, within all and outside all. Shankara explains that Brahman is far for the ignorant, who cannot find it after ages of searching, and near for the wise, being their very self. Its subtlety means it is not an object the senses or mind can seize. Many teachers note the gentle irony: what we seek far away is closest of all.
भावार्थ
वह सब प्राणियों के बाहर और भीतर है, चर और अचर भी वही है। सूक्ष्म होने से वह जानने में नहीं आता; वह दूर भी है और समीप भी। बाहर खोजने वालों से दूर, भीतर देखने वालों के पास।
Living it today
What you are searching for may be nearer than you think. Sometimes looking within is the shortest road.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 13.16?
It is outside and inside all beings, both the unmoving and the moving. Because it is so subtle it cannot be grasped, and it is both far away and very near. It is far from those who look outside, and closest of all to those who look within.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 13.16?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 13 (Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 13.16 in daily life?
What you are searching for may be nearer than you think. Sometimes looking within is the shortest road.
Reflected on verse 13.16?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.