Bhagavad Gita 9.13 — Great Souls, Sheltered in the Divine Nature, Worship the Supreme with Undivided Minds
महात्मानस्तु मां पार्थ दैवीं प्रकृतिमाश्रिताः ।
भजन्त्यनन्यमनसो ज्ञात्वा भूतादिमव्ययम् ॥ ९.१३ ॥
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But the great souls, O Arjuna, who take shelter in the divine nature, worship Me with a mind fixed on nothing else, knowing Me as the imperishable origin of all beings.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| mahā-ātmānaḥ | great souls |
| tu | but |
| mām | Me |
| pārtha | O Arjuna, son of Pritha |
| daivīm | divine |
| prakṛitim | nature, disposition |
| āśhritāḥ | having taken shelter in |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| bhajanti | worship |
| ananya-manasaḥ | with a mind fixed on nothing else |
| jñātvā | having known |
| bhūta-ādim | the origin of all beings |
| avyayam | imperishable |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| mahā-ātmānaḥ | great souls | bhajanti | worship |
| tu | but | ananya-manasaḥ | with a mind fixed on nothing else |
| mām | Me | jñātvā | having known |
| pārtha | O Arjuna, son of Pritha | bhūta-ādim | the origin of all beings |
| daivīm | divine | avyayam | imperishable |
| prakṛitim | nature, disposition | ||
| āśhritāḥ | having taken shelter in | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
After describing those who are deluded by a demonic nature, Lord Krishna now presents the contrasting picture of the mahātmās, the great souls. In this verse, He explains that those who take shelter of the divine nature recognize Him as the imperishable origin of all beings and worship Him with a mind that is fixed on Him alone.
Essence
The Great Souls and Their Undivided Devotion
The previous verses described a mind clouded by delusion. Here Lord Krishna shows what a mind illumined by the divine nature looks like. The contrast teaches that every person stands at a crossroads between two inner tendencies, the deluding and the divine.
Mahātmānaḥ (the great souls): Greatness here is not measured by wealth, rank or reputation but by the expansion of the heart. A mahātmā is one whose consciousness has grown beyond narrow selfishness and who lives for something higher than personal gain.
Daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ (taking refuge in the divine nature): The daivī prakṛti consists of qualities such as fearlessness, purity, compassion, humility, self-control and truthfulness. These are not external decorations but the inner soil in which devotion grows. Where the demonic nature hardens the heart, the divine nature softens and opens it.
Ananya-manasaḥ (with a mind fixed on nothing else): The word ananya means undivided. The devotee's mind is not pulled in many directions, constantly searching for satisfaction in different objects. It rests in the Lord as its one supreme goal. This single-pointedness brings stability and peace.
Jñātvā bhūtādim avyayam (knowing Him as the origin of all beings and imperishable): Their devotion is rooted in understanding. They know that the Lord is the source from which all beings arise, and that He alone is never destroyed. Worship based on such knowledge is steady and cannot be shaken by changing circumstances.
Message for Everyday Life (Cultivating Inner Qualities)
True greatness is built within: We often chase success measured by external standards, yet the Gita points to inner qualities as the real foundation of a worthwhile life.
Practical approach: Choose one divine quality, such as patience, honesty or compassion, and practice it consciously for a month. Support it with a daily moment of prayer or remembrance. Over time, these qualities shift the character from restless self-interest to steady, wholehearted devotion.
The Great Souls and Their Undivided Devotion
The previous verses described a mind clouded by delusion. Here Lord Krishna shows what a mind illumined by the divine nature looks like. The contrast teaches that every person stands at a crossroads between two inner tendencies, the deluding and the divine.
Mahātmānaḥ (the great souls): Greatness here is not measured by wealth, rank or reputation but by the expansion of the heart. A mahātmā is one whose consciousness has grown beyond narrow selfishness and who lives for something higher than personal gain.
Daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ (taking refuge in the divine nature): The daivī prakṛti consists of qualities such as fearlessness, purity, compassion, humility, self-control and truthfulness. These are not external decorations but the inner soil in which devotion grows. Where the demonic nature hardens the heart, the divine nature softens and opens it.
Ananya-manasaḥ (with a mind fixed on nothing else): The word ananya means undivided. The devotee's mind is not pulled in many directions, constantly searching for satisfaction in different objects. It rests in the Lord as its one supreme goal. This single-pointedness brings stability and peace.
Jñātvā bhūtādim avyayam (knowing Him as the origin of all beings and imperishable): Their devotion is rooted in understanding. They know that the Lord is the source from which all beings arise, and that He alone is never destroyed. Worship based on such knowledge is steady and cannot be shaken by changing circumstances.
Message for Everyday Life (Cultivating Inner Qualities)
True greatness is built within: We often chase success measured by external standards, yet the Gita points to inner qualities as the real foundation of a worthwhile life.
Practical approach: Choose one divine quality, such as patience, honesty or compassion, and practice it consciously for a month. Support it with a daily moment of prayer or remembrance. Over time, these qualities shift the character from restless self-interest to steady, wholehearted devotion.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has described the great souls who worship Him with undivided minds, knowing Him as the imperishable source of all. How exactly do such devotees express this devotion in their daily lives? In the next verse, He gives a beautiful description of their conduct.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Greatness is measured by the heart's shelter.
One mind, one love, one Lord.
Cultivate virtue; it is shelter in a storm.
To know the source is to love it.
Devotion is knowledge that has become love.
The great soul is quiet and steady.
Choose your shelter wisely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the 'mahā-ātmānaḥ' (great souls)?
What does 'daivīm prakṛitim' (divine nature) mean?
What does 'ananya-manasaḥ' (with a mind fixed on nothing else) mean?
What does 'bhūta-ādim avyayam' (the imperishable origin of beings) tell us?
What is the practical message of this verse?
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