अन्ये त्वेवमजानन्तः श्रुत्वाऽन्येभ्य उपासते ।
तेऽपि चातितरन्त्येव मृत्युं श्रुतिपरायणाः ।। १३.२५ ।।

anye tv-evam-ajānantaḥ śrutvānyebhya upāsate |
te’pi cātitaranty-eva mṛtyuṁ śruti-parāyaṇāḥ || 13.25 ||

Sadhana through listening (sravana)

Krishna adds that even listening to the Scriptural texts would be a full pursuit by itself:

There are yet others who, not having enough knowledge, take to their sadhana after listening to others’ exposition. Such seekers, given assiduously to listening, too transcend mortality.

It may appear to be a unique addition. But on reflection, you will find that listening has a very important role in spiritual life. In fact, the entire Vedanta rests upon sravana, manana and nididhyasana. The first in these is attentive hearing or listening.

The seeker has to go to the Knower and get exposed to the Truth attentively. Only when he does this first part, which needs the presence of a Wise Teacher, the other two, manana and nididhyasana, can follow. Even reflection and meditation thus succeed hearing alone.

Hearing is so inspiring, enlightening and forceful that it has come to be a great culture in this land. Discourses on Ramayana, Mahabharata, árimad Bhagavatam and similar Texts have played an important role in the religious as well as spiritual life of our people for ages. In recent years Bhagavadgita also has become a fond subject for regular discourses. How is it that so many come to listen to Bhagavadgita exposition? Most of the listeners may not take up further links of spiritual pursuit. But they will not like to miss their listening, whenever there is an opportunity.

Bhagavata Saptahas have come in vogue like this. To listen to Srimad Bhagavatam there is a regular crowd. For hours together, they listen to the rendering of the Text and its stories. The session lasts for 7 days. How can so many men and women piously listen to the narration? Most of them cannot read the Sanskrit text themselves and understand. Yet they love to listen to the narration.

Krishna says, even that kind of listening is good, effective and fulfilling. Such devout listeners will in due time, by their sheer intimacy and intensity, be able to transcend worldliness. After years of listening, they become oriented towards sadhana and that bestows purity and sublimation.