The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 7 : Wisdom and Realization |

अथ सप्तमो‌உध्यायः ।

श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

मय्यासक्तमनाः पार्थ योगं युञ्जन्मदाश्रयः ।

असंशयं समग्रं मां यथा ज्ञास्यसि तच्छृणु ॥ 1 ॥

ज्ञानं ते‌உहं सविज्ञानमिदं वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः ।

यज्ज्ञात्वा नेह भूयो‌உन्यज्ज्ञातव्यमवशिष्यते ॥ 2 ॥

मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिद्यतति सिद्धये ।

यततामपि सिद्धानां कश्चिन्मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः ॥ 3 ॥

भूमिरापो‌உनलो वायुः खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च ।

अहङ्कार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिरष्टधा ॥ 4 ॥

अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम् ।

जीवभूतां महाबाहो ययेदं धार्यते जगत् ॥ 5 ॥

एतद्योनीनि भूतानि सर्वाणीत्युपधारय ।

अहं कृत्स्नस्य जगतः प्रभवः प्रलयस्तथा ॥ 6 ॥

मत्तः परतरं नान्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय ।

मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव ॥ 7 ॥

रसो‌உहमप्सु कौन्तेय प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययोः ।

प्रणवः सर्ववेदेषु शब्दः खे पौरुषं नृषु ॥ 8 ॥

पुण्यो गन्धः पृथिव्यां च तेजश्चास्मि विभावसौ ।

जीवनं सर्वभूतेषु तपश्चास्मि तपस्विषु ॥ 9 ॥

बीजं मां सर्वभूतानां विद्धि पार्थ सनातनम् ।

बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् ॥ 10 ॥

बलं बलवतां चाहं कामरागविवर्जितम् ।

धर्माविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामो‌உस्मि भरतर्षभ ॥ 11 ॥

ये चैव सात्त्विका भावा राजसास्तामसाश्च ये ।

मत्त एवेति तान्विद्धि न त्वहं तेषु ते मयि ॥ 12 ॥

त्रिभिर्गुणमयैर्भावैरेभिः सर्वमिदं जगत् ।

मोहितं नाभिजानाति मामेभ्यः परमव्ययम् ॥ 13 ॥

दैवी ह्येषा गुणमयी मम माया दुरत्यया ।

मामेव ये प्रपद्यन्ते मायामेतां तरन्ति ते ॥ 14 ॥

न मां दुष्कृतिनो मूढाः प्रपद्यन्ते नराधमाः ।

माययापहृतज्ञाना आसुरं भावमाश्रिताः ॥ 15 ॥

चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जनाः सुकृतिनो‌உर्जुन ।

आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ ॥ 16 ॥

तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते ।

प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनो‌உत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रियः ॥ 17 ॥

उदाराः सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम् ।

आस्थितः स हि युक्तात्मा मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम् ॥ 18 ॥

बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते ।

वासुदेवः सर्वमिति स महात्मा सुदुर्लभः ॥ 19 ॥

कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः प्रपद्यन्ते‌உन्यदेवताः ।

तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया ॥ 20 ॥

यो यो यां यां तनुं भक्तः श्रद्धयार्चितुमिच्छति ।

तस्य तस्याचलां श्रद्धां तामेव विदधाम्यहम् ॥ 21 ॥

स तया श्रद्धया युक्तस्तस्याराधनमीहते ।

लभते च ततः कामान्मयैव विहितान्हि तान् ॥ 22 ॥

अन्तवत्तु फलं तेषां तद्भवत्यल्पमेधसाम् ।

देवान्देवयजो यान्ति मद्भक्ता यान्ति मामपि ॥ 23 ॥

अव्यक्तं व्यक्तिमापन्नं मन्यन्ते मामबुद्धयः ।

परं भावमजानन्तो ममाव्ययमनुत्तमम् ॥ 24 ॥

नाहं प्रकाशः सर्वस्य योगमायासमावृतः ।

मूढो‌உयं नाभिजानाति लोको मामजमव्ययम् ॥ 25 ॥

वेदाहं समतीतानि वर्तमानानि चार्जुन ।

भविष्याणि च भूतानि मां तु वेद न कश्चन ॥ 26 ॥

इच्छाद्वेषसमुत्थेन द्वन्द्वमोहेन भारत ।

सर्वभूतानि संमोहं सर्गे यान्ति परन्तप ॥ 27 ॥

येषां त्वन्तगतं पापं जनानां पुण्यकर्मणाम् ।

ते द्वन्द्वमोहनिर्मुक्ता भजन्ते मां दृढव्रताः ॥ 28 ॥

जरामरणमोक्षाय मामाश्रित्य यतन्ति ये ।

ते ब्रह्म तद्विदुः कृत्स्नमध्यात्मं कर्म चाखिलम् ॥ 29 ॥

साधिभूताधिदैवं मां साधियज्ञं च ये विदुः ।

प्रयाणकाले‌உपि च मां ते विदुर्युक्तचेतसः ॥ 30 ॥

ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे

ज्ञानविज्ञानयोगो नाम सप्तमो‌உध्यायः ॥7 ॥

Krishna tells Arjuna he will explain how one can know him (God) by practicing nonattachment. Krishna focuses now on imparting to Arjuna that he (God) is the fundamental essence of the universe and that his current form is just an earthly incarnation. Most people, Krishna explains, cannot understand that he is the essence in all things. Ignorant people are caught up in Krishna's power, in all he has created that they can perceive. Others, however, can see beyond the three gunas and recognize God as the eternal essence of all. Krishna divides those who worship him into four types: the person in distress, the power-seeker, the wisdom-seeker, and the sage. The sage is the type that already has achieved serenity of mind through yoga and meditation and understands the nature of God and Self. People who understand the nature of God also "know absolute freedom, / and the Self, and the nature of action.

Analysis

Krishna's dialogue takes a decidedly devotional, or bhakti, turn in this chapter. His focus is now on the understanding of God instead of the paths to achieve understanding or liberation. Krishna explains he is the essence not only of all existence but also of the perceivable world. Just as he is incarnated in a body, he is both the essence of the universe and its material. What he is trying to convey to Arjuna is that people are often misled by the parts of him or the world they experience with their senses, failing to understand his nature as the essence of being beyond what can be perceived. Krishna also states that people may still find him (God) by worshipping other deities in addition to Krishna because he is all gods. This idea can be—and has been—interpreted to mean both that Krishna is the supreme God and all others representations of him and that Krishna and all other deities are each manifestations of the God that is also the Self.

Chapter 7 of the Bhagavad Gita, focusing on wisdom and realization, offers insights that can positively impact human affairs in day-to-day life:

1. Understanding the Essence of God: Krishna's explanation about being the fundamental essence of the universe encourages individuals to see beyond superficial appearances. In daily life, this understanding can foster tolerance, empathy, and a recognition of the interconnectedness of all beings.

2. Nonattachment and Serenity of Mind: The emphasis on practicing nonattachment to know God highlights the importance of maintaining equanimity in the face of life's challenges. Applying this principle can help individuals navigate daily ups and downs with greater resilience and emotional balance.

3. Recognition of God in All Aspects of Life: Krishna's teaching that he is the essence in all things encourages people to recognize the divine in every aspect of life. This perspective can lead to a greater sense of gratitude, reverence for life, and a holistic approach to daily activities.

4. Diverse Paths to God: Krishna's acknowledgment that people can find God by worshiping various deities suggests inclusivity in spiritual practices. This can promote tolerance and respect for diverse beliefs, contributing to harmony in communities.

5. Four Types of Worshipers:understanding the four types of worshipers, including the sage who has achieved serenity through yoga and meditation, provides a roadmap for personal and spiritual development. Individuals can assess their own spiritual journey and strive for a deeper understanding of God and the Self.

6. Absolute Freedom and Self-Knowledge: The assertion that those who understand the nature of God also know absolute freedom, the Self, and the nature of action underscores the transformative power of spiritual wisdom. Integrating this knowledge into daily life can lead to more conscious decision-making and a sense of inner freedom.

7. Devotional Turn (Bhakti): The chapter's devotional focus encourages individuals to develop a personal relationship with the divine. This can bring solace, inspiration, and a sense of purpose to daily life, influencing ethical conduct and fostering a compassionate attitude toward others.

In summary, Chapter 7 provides a foundation for individuals to cultivate a deeper understanding of the divine, navigate life's challenges with grace, and contribute to a more harmonious and inclusive human existence. The teachings promote spiritual growth, ethical living, and a holistic perspective that extends beyond the superficial aspects of daily affairs.

 कृष्णम् वन्दे जगद्गुरुम् 🙏