Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 7 Jnana Vijnana Yogah

मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिद्यतति सिद्धये |
यततामपि सिद्धानां कश्चिन्मां वेत्ति तत्त्वत: ||3||

Among thousands of men, hardly one strives for perfection, and among those who strive, hardly one knows Me in truth.

Sahasreshu: Among thousands.
Siddhaye: For perfection or success.
Tattvatah: In essence or truth.

Highlighting human striving for perfection, Krishna acknowledges the rarity of individuals who truly understand the essence of divinity. This sets the tone for appreciating the extraordinary effort and grace needed to comprehend higher spiritual truths.

Bookmark removed

भूमिरापोऽनलो वायु: खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च |
अहङ्कार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिरष्टधा ||4||

Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect, and ego—these are My eightfold separated energies.

Prakriti: Nature or material energy.
Ashtadha: Eightfold or in eight parts.
Bhinna: Separated or distinct.

Krishna introduces the concept of material energy as distinct aspects of His creation. These eightfold energies provide a framework for understanding the diversity of creation while hinting at the deeper spiritual reality beyond matter.

Bookmark removed

अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम् |
जीवभूतां महाबाहो ययेदं धार्यते जगत् ||5||

Besides this, know that My other nature, the life principle, sustains the universe.

Param: Supreme or higher.
Jivabhutam: Living entities or life force.
Jagat: The universe or world.

By introducing a superior spiritual energy, Krishna explains how life itself emanates from the divine. This contrasts with the prior verse, which describes material energy, indicating a layered understanding of existence.

Bookmark removed

एतद्योनीनि भूतानि सर्वाणीत्युपधारय |
अहं कृत्स्नस्य जगत: प्रभव: प्रलयस्तथा ||6||

Understand that all living beings have their origin in these two natures. I am the source of creation and its dissolution.

Yonini: Sources or origins.
Jagat: The universe or creation.
Pralayah: Dissolution or destruction.

Here, Krishna explains the interplay of the material and spiritual energies in sustaining the universe, positioning Himself as the source of creation and dissolution, subtly reminding Arjuna of His divine omnipotence.

Bookmark removed

मत्त: परतरं नान्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय |
मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव ||7||

There is no truth beyond Me, Arjuna. Everything rests upon Me like pearls strung on a thread.

Sutre: Thread or string.
Manigana: Cluster of gems.
Protam: Interwoven or pervaded.

Krishna uses the metaphor of pearls on a thread to illustrate His omnipresence. This vivid imagery connects the unseen support of the divine to the tangible aspects of life, a theme that strengthens Arjuna’s understanding of interconnectedness.

Bookmark removed

रसोऽहमप्सु कौन्तेय प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययो: |
प्रणव: सर्ववेदेषु शब्द: खे पौरुषं नृषु ||8||

I am the taste in water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable Om in the Vedas, and the sound in ether.

Raso: Essence or taste.
Pranavah: Sacred syllable Om.
Khe: In the sky or ether.

Through examples of sensory and natural phenomena, Krishna asserts His presence in every element of creation. This reinforces the idea of divinity manifesting in ways that are perceivable to the human experience.

Bookmark removed

पुण्यो गन्ध: पृथिव्यां च तेजश्चास्मि विभावसौ |
जीवनं सर्वभूतेषु तपश्चास्मि तपस्विषु ||9||

I am the fragrance in the earth and the brilliance in fire. I am life in all beings and austerity in ascetics.

Punyah: Pure or auspicious.
Vibhavasau: In fire or brilliance.
Tapasvishu: In ascetics or those practicing austerities.

Expanding on His omnipresence, Krishna links divine essence to qualities like fragrance, brilliance, and vitality, encouraging Arjuna to see sacredness in everyday life and in the elements around him.

Bookmark removed