Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 7 Jnana Vijnana Yogah

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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बीजं मां सर्वभूतानां विद्धि पार्थ सनातनम् |
बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् ||10||

Know Me as the eternal seed of all beings. I am the intelligence of the intelligent and the splendor of the splendid.

Sanatanam: Eternal or ancient.
Buddhimatam: Of the intelligent.
Tejasvinam: Of the brilliant or radiant.

Krishna positions Himself as the eternal seed of existence, emphasizing His role as the source of all intelligence and splendor. This connects divine attributes to the qualities revered in human and natural realms.

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