Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 7
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 (Jnana Vijnana Yoga) in Hindi and English with meaning
Krishna now begins to speak about himself: how the whole world comes from his two natures, how he is present as the taste in water and the light of the sun and moon, why most people do not recognise him, and the four kinds of people who turn to him.
Listen: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga
A calm computer-voiced recitation over soft music, checked line by line against the text. It is an aid to reading along, not a replacement for a priest or a family elder.
What chapter 7 is about
Chapter 6 ended by saying that the best yogi is the one who worships Krishna with faith, the inner self resting in him. Chapter 7 begins the second part of the Gita, where Krishna speaks more about who he is. He promises Arjuna knowledge together with its living realisation (7.2), and warns that among thousands of people hardly one sets out on this search, and among those hardly one knows him as he truly is (7.3).
Krishna explains that he has two natures: a lower one made of earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect and the sense of “I” (7.4), and a higher one, the life that holds the world together (7.5). Everything rests on him “like pearls strung on a thread” (7.7). He then shows where to notice him: he is the taste in water, the light of the moon and sun, the syllable Om in the Vedas (7.8), the good fragrance of the earth and the strength of the strong that is free of greed.
Why, then, do people not see him? Because the world of the three gunas, his own divine maya, keeps them spellbound; it is hard to cross, but those who take refuge in him cross it (7.14). Four kinds of good people turn to him: the one in trouble, the one who wants to know, the one who seeks some gain, and the wise (7.16). All four are called noble, but the wise one, who after many births sees that “Vasudeva is everything” (7.19), is dearest. The chapter ends by naming terms (adhibhuta, adhidaiva, adhiyajna) that Arjuna asks about at the start of chapter 8. Reading it with the meanings takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
Verses 7.1–7.7: the two natures of Krishna
Krishna promises full knowledge, describes his lower and higher nature, and says all things are strung on him.
Verse 7.1
श्रीभगवानुवाच
मय्यासक्तमनाः पार्थ योगं युञ्जन्मदाश्रयः।
असंशयं समग्रं मां यथा ज्ञास्यसि तच्छृणु॥
Shri Bhagavan uvacha
mayy asakta-manah partha yogam yunjan mad-ashrayah,
asamshayam samagram mam yatha jnasyasi tach chhrinu.
अर्थ: श्रीभगवान ने कहा: हे पार्थ, मन मुझमें लगाकर, मेरा आश्रय लेकर और योग का अभ्यास करते हुए तुम मुझे बिना किसी संदेह के, पूरी तरह कैसे जानोगे, वह सुनो।
Meaning: The Lord said: Partha, with your mind fixed on me, taking refuge in me and practising yoga, hear how you will come to know me fully and without any doubt.
Verse 7.2
ज्ञानं तेऽहं सविज्ञानमिदं वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः।
यज्ज्ञात्वा नेह भूयोऽन्यज्ज्ञातव्यमवशिष्यते॥
Jnanam te 'ham sa-vijnanam idam vakshyamy asheshatah,
yaj jnatva neha bhuyo 'nyaj jnatavyam avashishyate.
अर्थ: मैं तुम्हें यह ज्ञान उसके अनुभव (विज्ञान) के साथ पूरा-पूरा बताऊँगा, जिसे जान लेने पर यहाँ जानने के लिए और कुछ बाकी नहीं रहता। (कुछ टीकाकार “विज्ञान” को अनुभव से जाना गया ज्ञान मानते हैं, कुछ भगवान के प्रकट रूपों का ज्ञान।)
Meaning: I will tell you this knowledge in full, together with its realisation (vijnana); once you know it, nothing more remains to be known here. (Some commentators take vijnana as knowledge made one’s own by experience, others as knowledge of the Lord’s manifest forms.)
Verse 7.3
मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिद्यतति सिद्धये।
यततामपि सिद्धानां कश्चिन्मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः॥
Manushyanam sahasreshu kashchid yatati siddhaye,
yatatam api siddhanam kashchin mam vetti tattvatah.
अर्थ: हज़ारों मनुष्यों में कोई एक ही सिद्धि (पूर्णता) के लिए प्रयत्न करता है, और प्रयत्न करने वाले उन सिद्धों में भी कोई एक ही मुझे सच में, तत्त्व से जानता है।
Meaning: Among thousands of people, hardly one strives for perfection; and even among those who strive and succeed, hardly one knows me as I truly am.
Verse 7.4
भूमिरापोऽनलो वायुः खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च।
अहंकार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिरष्टधा॥
Bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva cha,
ahankara itiyam me bhinna prakritir ashtadha.
अर्थ: पृथ्वी, जल, अग्नि, वायु, आकाश, मन, बुद्धि और अहंकार (“मैं” का भाव): यह मेरी आठ भागों में बँटी प्रकृति है।
Meaning: Earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect and the sense of “I”: this is my nature, divided eightfold.
Verse 7.5
अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम्।
जीवभूतां महाबाहो ययेदं धार्यते जगत्॥
Apareyam itas tv anyam prakritim viddhi me param,
jiva-bhutam mahabaho yayedam dharyate jagat.
अर्थ: यह मेरी अपरा (निचली) प्रकृति है। हे महाबाहो, इससे अलग मेरी परा (ऊँची) प्रकृति को जानो, जो जीव रूप है और जिससे यह सारा जगत थमा हुआ है।
Meaning: This is my lower nature. But know my other, higher nature, Arjuna: it is the life in all beings, by which this whole world is held up.
Verse 7.6
एतद्योनीनि भूतानि सर्वाणीत्युपधारय।
अहं कृत्स्नस्य जगतः प्रभवः प्रलयस्तथा॥
Etad-yonini bhutani sarvanity upadharaya,
aham kritsnasya jagatah prabhavah pralayas tatha.
अर्थ: समझ लो कि सब प्राणी इन्हीं दो प्रकृतियों से जन्म लेते हैं। मैं पूरे जगत का आरंभ हूँ और उसका अंत (लय) भी मैं ही हूँ।
Meaning: Understand that all beings are born from these two natures. I am the origin of the whole world, and its dissolution too.
Verse 7.7
मत्तः परतरं नान्यत्किंचिदस्ति धनंजय।
मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव॥
Mattah parataram nanyat kinchid asti dhananjaya,
mayi sarvam idam protam sutre mani-gana iva.
अर्थ: हे धनंजय, मुझसे परे और कुछ भी नहीं है। यह सब कुछ मुझमें वैसे ही पिरोया हुआ है जैसे धागे में मोतियों के दाने।
Meaning: There is nothing at all higher than me, Arjuna. All this is strung on me like pearls on a thread.
Verses 7.8–7.12: the divine in everything
The taste of water, the light of sun and moon, the strength of the strong: where Krishna can be recognised.
Verse 7.8
रसोऽहमप्सु कौन्तेय प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययोः।
प्रणवः सर्ववेदेषु शब्दः खे पौरुषं नृषु॥
Raso 'ham apsu kaunteya prabhasmi shashi-suryayoh,
pranavah sarva-vedeshu shabdah khe paurusham nrishu.
अर्थ: हे कौन्तेय, मैं जल में रस (स्वाद) हूँ, चंद्रमा और सूर्य में प्रकाश हूँ, सब वेदों में ॐकार हूँ, आकाश में शब्द हूँ और मनुष्यों में पुरुषार्थ (सामर्थ्य) हूँ।
Meaning: I am the taste in water, Arjuna, the light in the moon and the sun, the syllable Om in all the Vedas, the sound in space and the strength of spirit in human beings.
Verse 7.9
पुण्यो गन्धः पृथिव्यां च तेजश्चास्मि विभावसौ।
जीवनं सर्वभूतेषु तपश्चास्मि तपस्विषु॥
Punyo gandhah prithivyam cha tejash chasmi vibhavasau,
jivanam sarva-bhuteshu tapash chasmi tapasvishu.
अर्थ: मैं पृथ्वी में पवित्र गंध हूँ, अग्नि में तेज हूँ, सब प्राणियों में जीवन हूँ और तपस्वियों में तप हूँ।
Meaning: I am the pure fragrance of the earth and the brilliance in fire. I am the life in all beings and the self-discipline of those who practise austerity.
Verse 7.10
बीजं मां सर्वभूतानां विद्धि पार्थ सनातनम्।
बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम्॥
Bijam mam sarva-bhutanam viddhi partha sanatanam,
buddhir buddhimatam asmi tejas tejasvinam aham.
अर्थ: हे पार्थ, मुझे सब प्राणियों का सनातन (सदा रहने वाला) बीज जानो। मैं बुद्धिमानों की बुद्धि हूँ और तेजस्वियों का तेज हूँ।
Meaning: Know me, Partha, as the eternal seed of all beings. I am the intelligence of the intelligent and the radiance of the radiant.
Verse 7.11
बलं बलवतां चाहं कामरागविवर्जितम्।
धर्माविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामोऽस्मि भरतर्षभ॥
Balam balavatam chaham kama-raga-vivarjitam,
dharmaviruddho bhuteshu kamo 'smi bharatarshabha.
अर्थ: हे भरतश्रेष्ठ, मैं बलवानों का वह बल हूँ जिसमें कामना और आसक्ति नहीं है, और प्राणियों में वह इच्छा हूँ जो धर्म के विरुद्ध नहीं है।
Meaning: I am the strength of the strong that is free from craving and attachment, and in all beings I am the desire that does not go against dharma.
Verse 7.12
ये चैव सात्त्विका भावा राजसास्तामसाश्च ये।
मत्त एवेति तान्विद्धि न त्वहं तेषु ते मयि॥
Ye chaiva sattvika bhava rajasas tamasash cha ye,
matta eveti tan viddhi na tv aham teshu te mayi.
अर्थ: जो भी सात्त्विक, राजसिक और तामसिक भाव (अवस्थाएँ) हैं, उन्हें मुझसे ही उत्पन्न जानो। पर मैं उनमें नहीं हूँ, वे मुझमें हैं।
Meaning: Whatever states of being there are, whether of goodness (sattva), passion (rajas) or dullness (tamas), know that they come from me alone. Yet I am not in them; they are in me.
Verses 7.13–7.19: maya and the four kinds of devotees
Why the world does not recognise him, how maya is crossed, and the four kinds of people who turn to him.
Verse 7.13
त्रिभिर्गुणमयैर्भावैरेभिः सर्वमिदं जगत्।
मोहितं नाभिजानाति मामेभ्यः परमव्ययम्॥
Tribhir guna-mayair bhavair ebhih sarvam idam jagat,
mohitam nabhijanati mam ebhyah param avyayam.
अर्थ: इन तीन गुणों से बने भावों से मोहित होकर यह सारा जगत मुझे नहीं पहचानता, जो इन गुणों से परे और अविनाशी हूँ।
Meaning: Spellbound by these states made of the three gunas, the whole world does not recognise me, who am beyond them and unchanging.
Verse 7.14
दैवी ह्येषा गुणमयी मम माया दुरत्यया।
मामेव ये प्रपद्यन्ते मायामेतां तरन्ति ते॥
Daivi hy esha guna-mayi mama maya duratyaya,
mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te.
अर्थ: मेरी यह गुणों से बनी दिव्य माया पार करने में बहुत कठिन है। पर जो केवल मेरी शरण में आते हैं, वे इस माया को पार कर जाते हैं।
Meaning: This divine maya of mine, made of the gunas, is very hard to cross. But those who take refuge in me alone cross over this maya.
Verse 7.15
न मां दुष्कृतिनो मूढाः प्रपद्यन्ते नराधमाः।
माययापहृतज्ञाना आसुरं भावमाश्रिताः॥
Na mam dushkritino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah,
mayayapahrita-jnana asuram bhavam ashritah.
अर्थ: बुरे कर्म करने वाले, मूढ़ और नीच प्रवृत्ति वाले लोग मेरी शरण में नहीं आते; माया ने उनकी समझ छीन ली है और वे आसुरी (राक्षसी) स्वभाव में टिके हैं।
Meaning: Those who do wrong, the deluded and the lowest of people, do not take refuge in me; maya has robbed them of understanding and they cling to a demonic nature.
Verse 7.16
चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जनाः सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन।
आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ॥
Chatur-vidha bhajante mam janah sukritino 'rjuna,
arto jijnasur artharthi jnani cha bharatarshabha.
अर्थ: हे अर्जुन, हे भरतश्रेष्ठ, चार प्रकार के पुण्यात्मा लोग मुझे भजते हैं: दुखी (संकट में पड़ा), जिज्ञासु (जानना चाहने वाला), अर्थार्थी (कुछ पाना चाहने वाला) और ज्ञानी।
Meaning: Four kinds of good people worship me, Arjuna: the one in distress, the one who seeks to know, the one who seeks some gain, and the one who knows.
Verse 7.17
तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते।
प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रियः॥
Tesham jnani nitya-yukta eka-bhaktir vishishyate,
priyo hi jnanino 'tyartham aham sa cha mama priyah.
अर्थ: इनमें ज्ञानी, जो सदा मुझसे जुड़ा रहता है और जिसकी भक्ति केवल एक (मुझ) में है, सबसे श्रेष्ठ है। मैं ज्ञानी को बहुत प्रिय हूँ और वह मुझे प्रिय है।
Meaning: Of these, the wise one, always united with me and devoted to me alone, is the best. I am very dear to the wise, and the wise are dear to me.
Verse 7.18
उदाराः सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम्।
आस्थितः स हि युक्तात्मा मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम्॥
Udarah sarva evaite jnani tv atmaiva me matam,
asthitah sa hi yuktatma mam evanuttamam gatim.
अर्थ: ये सभी उदार (भले) हैं, पर ज्ञानी तो मेरी अपनी आत्मा ही है, ऐसा मेरा मत है; क्योंकि वह मन को जोड़कर मुझमें ही, सबसे ऊँचे लक्ष्य में, टिका रहता है।
Meaning: All of these are noble, but the wise one I hold to be my very self; for with a steady mind such a person rests in me alone, the highest goal.
Verse 7.19
बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते।
वासुदेवः सर्वमिति स महात्मा सुदुर्लभः॥
Bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate,
vasudevah sarvam iti sa mahatma sudurlabhah.
अर्थ: अनेक जन्मों के अंत में ज्ञानी यह जानकर मेरी शरण में आता है कि “वासुदेव ही सब कुछ है”। ऐसा महात्मा बहुत ही दुर्लभ है।
Meaning: At the end of many births the wise one comes to me, knowing “Vasudeva is everything”. Such a great soul is very rare.
Verses 7.20–7.30: other gods, the hidden Lord, and full knowledge
Worship of other gods, why Krishna stays veiled, and those who come to know him fully.
Verse 7.20
कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः।
तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया॥
Kamais tais tair hrita-jnanah prapadyante 'nya-devatah,
tam tam niyamam asthaya prakritya niyatah svaya.
अर्थ: तरह-तरह की कामनाओं ने जिनकी समझ हर ली है, वे अपने स्वभाव के वश में होकर, अलग-अलग नियमों का पालन करते हुए दूसरे देवताओं की शरण लेते हैं।
Meaning: Those whose understanding has been carried off by this or that desire turn to other gods, following various rules, led by their own nature.
Verse 7.21
यो यो यां यां तनुं भक्तः श्रद्धयार्चितुमिच्छति।
तस्य तस्याचलां श्रद्धां तामेव विदधाम्यहम्॥
Yo yo yam yam tanum bhaktah shraddhayarchitum ichchhati,
tasya tasyachalam shraddham tam eva vidadhamy aham.
अर्थ: जो-जो भक्त जिस-जिस रूप (देवता) को श्रद्धा से पूजना चाहता है, उस-उस भक्त की उसी श्रद्धा को मैं अटल कर देता हूँ।
Meaning: Whatever form a devotee wishes to worship with faith, I make that very faith of theirs firm.
Verse 7.22
स तया श्रद्धया युक्तस्तस्याराधनमीहते।
लभते च ततः कामान्मयैव विहितान्हि तान्॥
Sa taya shraddhaya yuktas tasyaradhanam ihate,
labhate cha tatah kaman mayaiva vihitan hi tan.
अर्थ: उस श्रद्धा से युक्त होकर वह उस देवता की आराधना करता है, और उससे अपनी कामनाएँ पाता है; पर वे फल वास्तव में मेरे ही दिए होते हैं।
Meaning: Joined to that faith, the person worships that form and from it gains what they desire; but those things are in truth given by me alone.
Verse 7.23
अन्तवत्तु फलं तेषां तद्भवत्यल्पमेधसाम्।
देवान्देवयजो यान्ति मद्भक्ता यान्ति मामपि॥
Antavat tu phalam tesham tad bhavaty alpa-medhasam,
devan deva-yajo yanti mad-bhakta yanti mam api.
अर्थ: पर कम समझ वाले उन लोगों को मिलने वाला फल नाशवान (सीमित) होता है। देवताओं को पूजने वाले देवताओं को पाते हैं, और मेरे भक्त मुझे ही पाते हैं।
Meaning: But the fruit gained by those of small understanding comes to an end. Those who worship the gods go to the gods; my devotees come to me.
Verse 7.24
अव्यक्तं व्यक्तिमापन्नं मन्यन्ते मामबुद्धयः।
परं भावमजानन्तो ममाव्ययमनुत्तमम्॥
Avyaktam vyaktim apannam manyante mam abuddhayah,
param bhavam ajananto mamavyayam anuttamam.
अर्थ: नासमझ लोग मेरे सबसे ऊँचे, अविनाशी और सर्वश्रेष्ठ स्वरूप को न जानकर मुझे, जो अव्यक्त (अप्रकट) हूँ, केवल एक प्रकट हुआ (साधारण देहधारी) मान लेते हैं।
Meaning: The unwise, not knowing my highest nature, unchanging and supreme, think that I, the unmanifest, have merely taken on a visible form like anyone else.
Verse 7.25
नाहं प्रकाशः सर्वस्य योगमायासमावृतः।
मूढोऽयं नाभिजानाति लोको मामजमव्ययम्॥
Naham prakashah sarvasya yoga-maya-samavritah,
mudho 'yam nabhijanati loko mam ajam avyayam.
अर्थ: अपनी योगमाया से ढका होने के कारण मैं सबके सामने प्रकट नहीं होता। यह मोह में पड़ा संसार मुझ अजन्मा और अविनाशी को नहीं पहचानता।
Meaning: Veiled by my yoga-maya, I am not revealed to everyone. This deluded world does not recognise me, the unborn and unchanging.
Verse 7.26
वेदाहं समतीतानि वर्तमानानि चार्जुन।
भविष्याणि च भूतानि मां तु वेद न कश्चन॥
Vedaham samatitani vartamanani charjuna,
bhavishyani cha bhutani mam tu veda na kashchana.
अर्थ: हे अर्जुन, मैं बीत चुके, अभी के और आने वाले सब प्राणियों को जानता हूँ, पर मुझे कोई नहीं जानता।
Meaning: I know all beings, Arjuna, those of the past, those of the present and those still to come; but no one knows me.
Verse 7.27
इच्छाद्वेषसमुत्थेन द्वन्द्वमोहेन भारत।
सर्वभूतानि संमोहं सर्गे यान्ति परन्तप॥
Ichchha-dvesha-samutthena dvandva-mohena bharata,
sarva-bhutani sammoham sarge yanti parantapa.
अर्थ: हे भारत, हे परंतप, इच्छा और द्वेष से उठने वाले द्वंद्वों (सुख-दुख जैसे जोड़ों) के मोह के कारण सब प्राणी जन्म के समय से ही भ्रम में पड़ जाते हैं।
Meaning: Arjuna, through the delusion of the pairs of opposites that rise from liking and disliking, all beings fall into confusion from the moment they are born.
Verse 7.28
येषां त्वन्तगतं पापं जनानां पुण्यकर्मणाम्।
ते द्वन्द्वमोहनिर्मुक्ता भजन्ते मां दृढव्रताः॥
Yesham tv anta-gatam papam jananam punya-karmanam,
te dvandva-moha-nirmukta bhajante mam dridha-vratah.
अर्थ: पर जिन पुण्य कर्म करने वाले लोगों का पाप समाप्त हो गया है, वे द्वंद्वों के मोह से छूटकर, दृढ़ संकल्प के साथ मुझे भजते हैं।
Meaning: But those who do good and whose wrongdoing has come to an end are freed from the delusion of opposites, and they worship me with firm resolve.
Verse 7.29
जरामरणमोक्षाय मामाश्रित्य यतन्ति ये।
ते ब्रह्म तद्विदुः कृत्स्नमध्यात्मं कर्म चाखिलम्॥
Jara-marana-mokshaya mam ashritya yatanti ye,
te brahma tad viduh kritsnam adhyatmam karma chakhilam.
अर्थ: जो लोग बुढ़ापे और मृत्यु से छुटकारे के लिए मेरा आश्रय लेकर प्रयत्न करते हैं, वे उस ब्रह्म को, पूरे अध्यात्म को और सारे कर्म को जान लेते हैं।
Meaning: Those who take refuge in me and strive to be free from old age and death come to know Brahman, the whole of the inner self, and all of action.
Verse 7.30
साधिभूताधिदैवं मां साधियज्ञं च ये विदुः।
प्रयाणकालेऽपि च मां ते विदुर्युक्तचेतसः॥
Sadhibhutadhidaivam mam sadhiyajnam cha ye viduh,
prayana-kale 'pi cha mam te vidur yukta-chetasah.
अर्थ: जो मुझे अधिभूत, अधिदैव और अधियज्ञ के साथ जानते हैं, वे जुड़े हुए मन वाले लोग मृत्यु के समय भी मुझे जानते हैं। (इन शब्दों का अर्थ अध्याय 8 की शुरुआत में बताया गया है।)
Meaning: Those who know me together with the adhibhuta, the adhidaiva and the adhiyajna, their minds united with me, know me even at the time of death. (These terms are explained at the start of chapter 8.)
Chapter colophon
ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे
श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे ज्ञानविज्ञानयोगो नाम सप्तमोऽध्यायः॥
Om tat sad iti shrimad-bhagavad-gitasu upanishatsu brahma-vidyayam yoga-shastre
shri-krishnarjuna-samvade jnana-vijnana-yogo nama saptamo 'dhyayah.
अर्थ: ॐ तत् सत्। इस प्रकार उपनिषद रूपी श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता में, जो ब्रह्मविद्या और योगशास्त्र है, श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुन के संवाद में “ज्ञानविज्ञानयोग” नाम का सातवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ।
Meaning: Om tat sat. Thus ends the seventh chapter, called “the yoga of knowledge and realisation”, in the Bhagavad Gita, an Upanishad, the knowledge of Brahman and a scripture of yoga, in the dialogue between Shri Krishna and Arjuna.
Questions
What does “like pearls on a thread” in Gita 7.7 mean?
In a necklace you see the pearls, not the thread, yet the thread is what holds them together. Krishna says the world is like that: all the many things we see are held together by him, though he himself stays out of sight.
Who are the four kinds of devotees in Gita 7.16?
The person in distress (arta), the person who wants to know (jijnasu), the person who seeks some gain (artharthi), and the wise (jnani). Verse 7.18 calls all four noble, so turning to God in trouble or for a need is not looked down on; but the wise one, who loves God for God’s own sake, is called the dearest.
What is maya in Gita 7.14?
Here maya is Krishna’s own divine power, working through the three gunas (goodness, passion and dullness), that keeps people absorbed in the changing world so that they do not notice what lies beyond it. Krishna admits it is hard to cross by one’s own effort, but says those who take refuge in him do cross it.
Does chapter 7 say worshipping other gods is wrong?
Not exactly. Verses 7.21 and 7.22 say Krishna himself makes each person’s faith firm and gives the fruits they receive from any form they worship. The point of 7.23 is that worship done only to gain limited things brings limited results, while devotion to the Supreme leads to the Supreme.
Text and sources
The Sanskrit text is public domain. We checked all 30 verses and the colophon one by one against the chapter on Sanskrit Wikisource (“Bhagavadgita/Jnanavijnanayogah”) and the Srimad Bhagavad Gita text of IIT Kanpur’s Gita Supersite (heritage.iitk.ac.in), whose text the open “gita/gita” dataset also reproduces (we used only its Sanskrit), comparing them by program after normalising punctuation and spelling conventions. The two sources agree on every word of this chapter; the only differences were in how some letters are typed (for example “ahankara” written with an anusvara in Wikisource and a nasal letter in IIT Kanpur), which do not change the reading. Where a choice was needed we follow the Gita Press reading. The transliteration and meanings are our own.
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