Gita 9.13
महात्मानस्तु मां पार्थ दैवीं प्रकृतिमाश्रिताः।
भजन्त्यनन्यमनसो ज्ञात्वा भूतादिमव्ययम्।।
mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ bhajantyananya-manaso jñātvā bhūtādim avyayam
"But great souls, O Arjuna, who have taken shelter of the divine nature, worship Me with undivided mind, knowing Me as the imperishable origin of all beings."
What This Means:
Contrast with the previous verse: great souls (mahatmas) worship with undivided attention because they KNOW Krishna as the eternal source. Their nature is divine (daivi prakriti), not demonic.
Going Deeper:
The difference between verse 12 and 13 is knowledge—jnatva. The mahatma KNOWS the truth. Knowledge transforms nature. The same world looks completely different to one who sees its source.
How To Apply This:
Aspire to be a mahatma—not through external greatness but through knowing the source and worshipping with undivided heart. Greatness of soul comes from recognizing what's truly great.
Key Sanskrit Terms:
Mahātmā= Great soulDaivī prakṛti= Divine natureAnanya-manasa= With undivided mind