Bhagavad Gita 13.16

Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga · English Translation

Without and within (all) beings the unmoving and also the moving; because of Its subtlety, unknowable; and near and far away is That.

Sanskrit

बहिरन्तश्च भूतानामचरं चरमेव च | सूक्ष्मत्वात्तदविज्ञेयं दूरस्थं चान्तिके च तत् ||१३-१६||

Transliteration

bahirantaśca bhūtānāmacaraṃ carameva ca . sūkṣmatvāttadavijñeyaṃ dūrasthaṃ cāntike ca tat ||13-16||

What Does This Verse Mean?

Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna that the Supreme Soul exists both outside and inside every living being, whether moving or still. Because this presence is incredibly subtle, it cannot be fully grasped by ordinary senses or logic alone. Yet, paradoxically, while It seems distant in its greatness, It is also intimately close, residing within our very hearts right now.

The Teaching Behind It

This teaching is central to Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge) and Sankhya philosophy within the Gita, focusing on distinguishing between the field (matter/body) and the Knower of the Field (consciousness). It develops the concept of Brahman as non-dual consciousness that transcends spatial limitations like distance or proximity while remaining immanent in all creation.

Word by Word

बहिः without, अन्तः within, च and, भूतानाम् of (all) beings, अचरम् the unmoving, चरम् the moving, एव also, च and, सूक्ष्मत्वात् because of Its subtlety, तत् That, अविज्ञेयम् unknowable, दूरस्थम् is far, च and, अन्तिके near, च and, तत् That

Classical Commentary

Brahman is subtle like the ether. It is incomprehensible to the unillumined on account of Its extreme subtlety. It is unknowable to the man who is not endowed with the four means of salvation. Brahman is known or realised by the wise. It is realised by the first class aspirant who is eipped with these means. It is near to the wise man or the illumined because It is his very Self. It is very far to the ignorant man who is drowned in worldliness or sensual pleasures. It is not attainable by the ignorant or unenlightened even in millions of years. Near and far away This expression is found in the Isavasya Upanishad (5) and the Mundaka Upanishad (3.17).

Where This Happens

This verse occurs during the Bhagavad Gita's discourse on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where Lord Krishna is guiding his friend and warrior Arjuna through a crisis of duty. After describing the physical field (the body) in previous verses, Krishna now shifts to the Knower of the Field (the Soul/Supreme). At this moment, Arjuna is paralyzed by grief over fighting his kin; Krishna's teaching aims to lift him out of sorrow by revealing that the divine consciousness pervades all existence without being limited by space or form.

Living It Out Today

When you feel overwhelmed by a difficult decision at work or family conflict, remember that your true self is not just the stressed mind reacting to the situation. The same unchanging presence described in this verse exists within you and even within the people challenging you, regardless of their actions or status. By recognizing this subtle unity beyond the visible chaos, you can approach problems with greater calmness and detachment from the immediate emotional turbulence.

Explained for Children

Imagine the wind: you can't see it, but you know it's there because trees move and your hair blows! The divine presence works like that invisible wind. It surrounds us everywhere (outside), hides inside every leaf and animal (inside), moves with living things (moving) and stays still in stones (unmoving). Even though we can't touch or see this special energy, it is always right here next to you, closer than your own thoughts.

Daily Reflection

You often search for God in distant temples or far-off lands, yet today remember That which dwells within and around you right now. The Divine does not hide because it is small; rather, It remains unseen to our limited senses precisely because Its presence is too subtle to be grasped by the eye or mind alone. When you feel a sense of peace that cannot be explained, know that this is your own Self touching That which is near yet far, moving and unmoving all at once.

A Practice for Today

Close your eyes and gently expand your awareness to feel the presence of the Divine both within every beat of your heart and surrounding you from all directions. Sit with this paradox: that the One who is too subtle for the mind to grasp simultaneously resides in the deepest core of your being while embracing the vast universe outside.

Key Teachings

The Omnipresence Beyond Duality
This verse dissolves the illusion of separation by declaring that the Divine exists both outside in the cosmos and inside every living creature. Whether an entity is moving or stationary, conscious or seemingly inert, it is permeated by a presence that transcends spatial boundaries.
The Paradox of Subtlety
Because the Supreme Spirit is infinitely subtle (sūkṣmatva), It cannot be captured by ordinary perception or intellectual analysis. This unknowability is not a lack but a sign of Its infinite nature, which defies the limited categories of human understanding.
The Nearness and Farthest Reach
Paradoxically, the Divine is described as both distant (dūrastha) and immediate (antike), teaching that spiritual distance exists only in our perception. While It appears far to those who look outward without inner realization, it remains closer than one's own breath to those who turn inward.

Themes

divine immanencethe selfsupreme consciousnesstranscendence and immanencesubtlety of spiritknowledge yoga

Related Verses

2.47 3.30 6.5 9.18 18.66

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the verse say the Divine is both 'unmoving and moving'?

This highlights that the Supreme Consciousness pervades all matter. It remains unchanging (unmoving) in its essence while simultaneously being present within every living creature's activity (moving), supporting life without itself acting or changing.

If God is everywhere, why can't we see Him?

The verse explains that the Divine is 'subtle' (sūkṣma) and therefore unknowable to ordinary senses. Just as you cannot see air or smell a flower from miles away without tools, the spiritual reality requires inner purification and wisdom, not physical eyesight, to be perceived.

How does this verse resolve the feeling of being distant from God?

Krishna directly addresses this by stating that while the Divine may seem far due to Its vastness, It is actually 'near' (antike) and resides within everyone's heart. This teaching shifts the seeker's focus outward searching for a distant deity to inward realization of the presence already there.

What is the significance of knowing both what is inside and outside beings?

Understanding that the Divine permeates all existence, regardless of location or state (inside/outside), helps dissolve the illusion of separation between self and other. It fosters a sense of universal unity where every being is recognized as an expression of the same ultimate reality.

In Other Languages: Bhagavad Gita 13.16 →