Bhagavad Gita 13.14

Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga · English Translation

With hands and feet everywhere, with eyes, heads and mouths everywhere, with ears everywhere, He exists in the worlds enveloping all.

Sanskrit

सर्वतः पाणिपादं तत्सर्वतोऽक्षिशिरोमुखम् | सर्वतः श्रुतिमल्लोके सर्वमावृत्य तिष्ठति ||१३-१४||

Transliteration

sarvataḥ pāṇipādaṃ tatsarvato.akṣiśiromukham . sarvataḥ śrutimalloke sarvamāvṛtya tiṣṭhati ||13-14||

What Does This Verse Mean?

In this verse, Lord Krishna describes the Supreme Consciousness as being present everywhere simultaneously with all its senses active at once. He is speaking to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra to help him understand that the divine reality pervades every corner of existence. The key teaching is that God is not distant or limited by a single body, but rather exists within and beyond everything as an all-encompassing presence.

The Teaching Behind It

This verse is central to Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge) and Sankhya philosophy within the Gita's framework. It develops the concept of Vishvarupa or Universal Form, illustrating that Brahman (Ultimate Reality) transcends all dualities of space and time while simultaneously pervading every atom.

Word by Word

सर्वतः everywhere, पाणिपादम् with hands and feet, तत् that, सर्वतः everywhere, अक्षिशिरोमुखम् with eyes, heads and mouths, सर्वतः everywhere, श्रुतिमत् with ears, लोके in the world, सर्वम् all, आवृत्य having enveloped, तिष्ठति exists

Classical Commentary

He (the knower of the field or Para Brahman) pervades everything in this world. He fills and surrounds this world with Himself. He abides in the universe enveloping everything. In the previous verse it is said that the Brahman Which is to be known is neither being nor nonbeing. One may think that It is nonentity or void or nothing. In order to remove this misapprehension, the Lord says in this verse that the knowable has hands and feet everywhere, etc. It directs the mind and the senses to do their proper functions. This is only the manifest aspect of Saguna Brahman (Brahman with attributes).Just as the enginedriver drives the engine, so also the knowable or the knower of the field drieves the bodyengine. It is the Inner Ruler. It is the innermost Self. It is the support, substratum or basis for this world, body, mind, lifeforce and the senses. The existence of Brahman is determined or ascertained or indicated by the existence of the limiting adjuncts, viz., body, mind and senses, because there must be selfconsciousness behind their activities. How can you call It nonexistence thenJust as the rope is not affected by the alities or the defects of the illusory superimposed snake, so also Para Brahman (the knower of the field) is not affected by the superimposed world, body, senses, mind and the lifeforce. There is only one common consciousness is eternal, selfluminous and allpervading. That common consciousness is Para Brahman. The body, mind, senses and the lifeforce are by nature insentient. But they are moved by Brahman to action. They act on account of the mere presence of Brahman or the knower of the field. (The limiting adjuncts are illusory.) Hence they put on the semblance of consciousness, just as the iron piece puts on the semblance of a magnet when it is in the presence of a magnet. The whole world is superimposed on Brahman like the snake on the rope. This is called Adhyaropa. It is sublated by the method (Yukti) of Apavada (negation or denial).This verse is taken from the Svetasvataropanishad 3.16.

Where This Happens

This verse occurs during the dialogue on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where Krishna is guiding Arjuna through his crisis of duty and despair. It follows a detailed description of the physical body as the 'field' (kshetra) and precedes an explanation of the divine knower within it. As Arjuna struggles to distinguish between the temporary material world and the eternal spiritual reality, this verse expands his vision from the finite human form to the infinite cosmic presence.

Living It Out Today

When you feel overwhelmed by a difficult decision at work or family tension that seems unresolvable, remember that your perspective is limited while a greater wisdom surrounds every situation. Instead of trying to solve everything alone with just one set of eyes and ears, pause to trust in the interconnectedness of all things happening around you right now. This realization can reduce anxiety by shifting your focus from being trapped in a single problem to seeing yourself as part of a larger, supportive whole.

Explained for Children

Imagine if you could be in your bedroom, at school, and playing soccer with friends all at the exact same time! This verse teaches us about something even bigger: God is like that super-powerful light that fills every single room of a huge house. Just as sunlight touches everything without getting tired or moving from place to place, this divine presence holds hands in everyone's lives while being everywhere else too.

Daily Reflection

You may feel small amidst the chaos of daily life, but this verse reminds you that the same infinite presence is active within every hand and foot around you. When you look closely, you will see that there are no separate workers; it is all One playing a multitude of roles through your own eyes and ears. This realization transforms how you interact with others, as you begin to treat every encounter as an interaction with the very fabric of existence.

A Practice for Today

Close your eyes and imagine that every hand you see moving today belongs to the Divine, just as your own hands do. Visualize a single consciousness watching through countless eyes while remaining one silent witness in all places at once.

Key Teachings

Omnipresence in Action
The Divine is not distant but actively manifesting through the biological functions and movements of all beings. Every hand that works, every foot that steps, and every eye that sees is a direct expression of this singular reality.
Non-Dual Perception
While appearing as many with different senses and roles, the underlying consciousness remains one undivided entity. The verse dissolves the illusion of separation by showing that all sensory experiences are facets of a single awareness.
The All-Encompassing Witness
God exists as the silent observer who envelops every world and moment without being affected or diminished. This teaching invites us to shift from identifying with our limited body-mind complex to recognizing ourselves as that all-pervading witness.

Themes

Divine OmnipresenceThe Nature of RealitySankhya PhilosophyUniversal FormSpiritual VisionDetachment from Ego

Related Verses

2.47 3.30 6.5 18.66

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this verse mean God has a physical body with real hands?

No, it does not refer to a literal human anatomy. It uses metaphorical language to express that the Divine Consciousness possesses all senses and powers simultaneously without being limited by any single form or location.

Why is this verse important for someone practicing meditation?

It helps practitioners realize they are not just their individual ego but part of a universal consciousness that surrounds them. This shift in perspective reduces attachment to the physical body and fosters a deeper sense of connection during deep contemplation.

How does this verse relate to the concept of Brahman?

It describes an attribute of Brahman as being all-pervading, meaning it exists everywhere within every living being and object. It teaches that the ultimate reality is not separate from creation but rather envelops and sustains the entire universe.

What should I do if I feel alone or isolated in my struggles?

Reflect on this verse to remember that a divine presence with all senses active is witnessing your life and supporting you from within. Recognizing that you are never truly separate from the universal whole can transform feelings of isolation into a sense of shared existence.

In Other Languages: Bhagavad Gita 13.14 →