Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 7 Jnana Vijnana Yogah

Jnana Vijnana Yogah - This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes, is difficult to overcome. But those who surrender to Me cross beyond it.

दैवी ह्येषा गुणमयी मम माया दुरत्यया |
मामेव ये प्रपद्यन्ते मायामेतां तरन्ति ते ||14||

This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes, is difficult to overcome. But those who surrender to Me cross beyond it.

Duratyaya: Difficult to overcome.
Prapadyante: Surrender to or approach.
Maya: Illusion or divine energy.

Krishna acknowledges the challenging nature of divine illusion (maya) while offering hope that surrendering to Him is the key to transcending it. This verse reinforces trust and devotion as transformative tools.

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न मां दुष्कृतिनो मूढा: प्रपद्यन्ते नराधमा: |
माययापहृतज्ञाना आसुरं भावमाश्रिता: ||15||

The miscreants, who are foolish and the lowest among men, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, do not surrender to Me.

Mudhah: Foolish or ignorant.
Naradhamah: Lowest among men.
Apahrita-jnana: Stolen knowledge.

By describing those who fail to recognize Him, Krishna contrasts their behavior with that of the virtuous, encouraging Arjuna to reflect on the qualities that align one with divinity.

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चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जना: सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन |
आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ ||16||

Four kinds of virtuous people worship Me, Arjuna—the distressed, the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of wealth, and the wise.

Jijnasur: Seeker of knowledge.
Artharthi: Seeker of wealth or material gains.
Bhajante: Worship or adore.

The diverse motives of devotees provide a nuanced understanding of how people approach divinity. Krishna’s inclusivity assures that all sincere seekers are on a valid path, irrespective of their initial intent.

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तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते |
प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रिय: ||17||

Of these, the wise, who is ever steadfast and devoted to the One, excels. I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me.

Ekabhaktir: Single-minded devotion.
Vishishyate: Excels or surpasses.
Priyo: Dear or beloved.

Krishna highlights the wisdom of single-minded devotion, connecting it to true understanding of the self and the divine. This commentary builds on earlier discussions of devotion as superior to other paths.

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उदारा: सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम् |
आस्थित: स हि युक्तात्मा मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम् ||18||

All these are indeed noble, but the wise one, who is absorbed in Me, is verily My own self. Such a devotee is supremely dear to Me.

Udarah: Noble or generous.
Yuktatma: Self-controlled or united with the soul.
Gatim: Path or ultimate goal.

Krishna acknowledges the nobility of all devotees while emphasizing the unparalleled connection between the wise and the divine. This verse deepens Arjuna’s understanding of spiritual relationships.

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बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते |
वासुदेव: सर्वमिति स महात्मा सुदुर्लभ: ||19||

After many births, the wise one surrenders to Me, knowing that I am all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.

Vasudevah: Supreme Lord or Krishna.
Mahatma: Great soul.
Sudarshanah: Rare to behold.

The rarity of realizing Krishna as the ultimate truth underscores the spiritual journey’s depth. This verse ties back to themes of striving, grace, and the culmination of wisdom over lifetimes.

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Jnana Vijnana Yogah - Driven by their desires, those whose knowledge has been stolen by illusion worship other deities, following their own natures.

कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञाना: प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवता: |
तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियता: स्वया ||20||

Driven by their desires, those whose knowledge has been stolen by illusion worship other deities, following their own natures.

Kamaih: By desires.
Anya-devatah: Other deities.
Niyatah: Regulated or bound by nature.

Krishna describes how material desires drive people to worship other deities, setting up a contrast between fleeting gains and the eternal benefits of devotion to the Supreme.

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