B.G 13.25 and 26
dhyānenātmani paśyanti kecidātmānamātmanā। anye sāṅkhyena yogena karmayogena cāpare ॥25॥
Some perceive the Ātman within the ātman through meditation, others through Sāṅkhya philosophy, Yoga, and yet others through Karma Yoga.
anye tvevamajānantaḥ śrutvā'nyebhya upāsate। te'pi cātitarantyeva mṛtyuṃ śrutiparāyaṇāḥ ॥26॥
Others, who do not know this, worship after hearing from others. They too certainly transcend death, being devoted to the hearing of scriptures.
Gīta Bhāshya 13.25 and 26
It is the same lord and the ultimate reality that gets perceived as the end result by followers of all paths - Sankhya, Karma, Listening from others, and the weak.
sāṅkhye vedoktabhagavatsvarūpajñānena। karmaṇāmapi śrutvā jñātvā dhyātvā dṛṣṭiḥ। śrāvakāṇāṃ ca jñātvā dhyātvā। sāṅkhyānāṃ ca dhyātvā। tathā ca gaupavanaśrutiḥ -
Followers of Sāṅkhya philosophy (sāṅkhyena yogena), through the knowledge of the divine form as described in the Vedas. Even those engaged in the Yoga of action (karmayogena), upon hearing, knowing, and meditating, gain insight. For those who listen from others (śrutvā'nyebhya), too, upon knowing and meditating. For the followers of Sāṅkhya, upon meditating. Same is stated in the Gaupavana Vedic testimonial:
"karmakṛccāpi tat śrutvā jñātvā dhyātvā'nupaśyati। śrāvako'pi tathā jñātvā dhyātvā jñānyapi paśyati॥ anyathā tasya dṛṣṭirhi kathañcin nopajāyate।"
"The one who performs actions (Yoga of action), upon hearing, knowing, and meditating, perceives the truth. Likewise, a listener, by knowing and meditating, also sees as does a wise person (who is a Jnana/Sankhya Yogi). Otherwise, his perception does not develop in any way."
iti।
- stated thus.
"anye" - ityaśaktānāmapi upāyadarśanārtham ॥25, 26॥
The word 'Others' is used to address the concerns of the weak, to show the means.
Gīta Tātparya 13.25 and 26
Because of the eternal differences in the qualifications of individuals, the means to perceive is not inherently perceivable; however, through the grace of Viṣṇu, one can indeed attain the Vaiṣṇava form.
anādiyogyatābhedāt puṁsāṁ darśanasādhanam। nānaiva tatra viṣṇostu prasādād vaiṣṇavaṁ vapuḥ॥
Because of the eternal differences in the qualifications of individuals, the means to perceive is not inherently perceivable; however, through the grace of Viṣṇu, one can indeed attain the Vaiṣṇava form.
svayaṃ vijñāyate kiñcit śrūyate kiñcidanyataḥ। tathā jñātvā hariṃ dhyātvā svāntaḥ paśyanti kecana॥
One knows something; something is heard from elsewhere. Thus, having known and meditated on Hari, some see within themselves.
ṛṣayaḥ kecid ruṣayo nāradādyāḥ bahis tv api। devā viṣṇuprasādena labdhasatpratibhābalāt॥
Some sages like Nārada, and even gods, by the grace of Viṣṇu, obtained true insight and strength.
sarvaṁ krameṇa vijñāya pratibhāspaṣṭatākramāt। paśyanti bahirantaśca viṣṇuṁ dhyānamṛtepi tu। yeṣāṁ dhyānamṛte dṛṣṭiḥ teṣāṁ dhyānepi darśanam॥
Understanding everything in order from the sequence of clear manifestation, they perceive Viṣṇu both externally and internally, even without meditation. However, for those who perceive without meditation, even in meditation perceive the Lord.
syādeva sāṅkhyayogāste devā brahmādhiko'tra ca। kecittu kṣatriyavarā aśvamedhādikarmabhiḥ। yajanto bhaktimantaśca yajña bhāgārthamāgatam॥
Indeed, the paths of Sankhya and Yoga are superior here, and some of the best Kshatriyas, through their devotion and performance of horse sacrifices and other rites, have arrived to partake in the sacrificial offerings.
śravaṇapratibhābhyāṃ ca smarantaḥ puruṣottamam। paśyantyanye tathānyebhyaḥ sarvaṃ śrutvā'numatya ca॥ upāsyaiva tu paśyanti nānyathā tu kathaṃcana॥
By hearing and inspiration, remembering the Supreme Person, some see Him thus from others, having heard and agreed. However, it is only through worship that they truly see Him, and not in any other way.
ṛṣīn rājñaḥ tathārabhya pratibhā'bhyadhikā kramāt। yāvad brahmā brahmaṇastu prāyo nāpratibhāsitam॥
The Sagely Kings, starting with superior intellect, gradually reached up to Brahma, but mostly remained unmanifested.
viṣṇoḥ prītyarthamevāsya śrotavyaṃ prāyaśo hareḥ। anyeṣāṃ śravaṇāt jñānaṃ kramaśo mānuṣottaram। atyalpapratibhānatvāt mānuṣāḥ śrutavedinaḥ। sarve te darśanāt tasmāt svayogyānmuktigāminaḥ॥"
To please Vishnu, one should primarily listen to the stories of Hari. Hearing about others leads to knowledge that only gradually transcends human understanding. Due to limited intelligence, humans should listen to others. All of them, by seeing (the Lord), move towards liberation according to their own capacity."
iti ca।
- stated thus as well.
anyeṣāmapi kiñcit śravaṇe vidyamāne'pi mānuṣāṇāmatyalpapratibhānatvāt śrutvā'nyebhyaḥ iti viśeṣaṇam। manuṣyāṇāṃ pratibhā mūlapramāṇāpekṣā prāyo na samyagutpadyate alpā ca iti "śrutiparāyaṇāḥ" iti।
While others have some ability to hear, due to the very limited intelligence of humans, they are specially qualified to be heard by others. Human intelligence generally does not arise properly when dependent on primary evidence and remains limited. Thus, they are referred to as "devoted to hearing."
"aśrutapratibhā yasya śrutismṛtivirodhinī। viśrutā nṛṣu jātaṃ ca taṃ vidyāt devasattamam। yaśca svamukhamānena navādhodehavān pumān।
"A person who, though has not heard the Vedas, is not opposed to the Vedas and Smritis and is famous among men for its knowledge, should be known as the best among gods, who have taken voluntarily the low birth of a human body.
aṣṭamānavatī strī ca ṣaṇṇavaty-aṅgulau punaḥ। daśatālau saptapādau vidyāt tau ca surottamau। yāvat pañcāṅgulonaṃ taddevamānaṃ kramāt param॥
The measure of a woman is described as eight human-like forms, and that of men with nine measure; those who are ninety-six hand-span measure, ten spans measure, and seven feet measure, known them as the best among gods. It is five measures less for others than the divine measure, in order beyond.
pāde tvaṅgulamātronaṃ tadūnaṃ caturaṅgulam। yāvaddevopadevānāṃ pāde conāṅgulaṃ punaḥ। tāvanmanuṣyamānaṃ syāt tato'dhastvāsuraṃ smṛtam।
In the foot, if it is one finger less than four fingers, it is considered the measure of gods and demigods. If it is less than that, it is remembered as demonic.
dvicatvāryadhikaṃ tasmāt ṣaṇṇavaty aṅgulād adhaḥ। jñeyam aṅgulamānaṃ tad upadevādiṣu sphuṭam। deveṣv avaravad jñeyam ṛṣīṇāṃ cakravartinām।
The measurement, which is two and four more than ninety-six fingers, is to be clearly understood among demigods and others. Among the gods, it is considered inferior, and it is known among sages and emperors.
yāvad yāvat priyo viṣṇoḥ tāvat strīpuṃsvarūpiṇaḥ। hareḥ sāḍṛśyam asya syād anādikramasusthiram॥
As long as Viṣṇu is beloved, the resemblance of this male and female form to Hari remains eternally constant."
iti ca॥
- stated thus as well.
Note: I feel the last comment on measures is not part of the original, and a later addition. It is uncharacteristic of the Acharya to touch on such trivial matters, which are not philosophical in nature.
