Chapter 7 · Self-Knowledge and Enlightenment

7.1

श्रीभगवानुवाच | मय्यासक्तमनाः पार्थ योगं युञ्जन्मदाश्रयः | असंशयं समग्रं मां यथा ज्ञास्यसि तच्छृणु ||७-१||

śrībhagavānuvāca . mayyāsaktamanāḥ pārtha yogaṃ yuñjanmadāśrayaḥ . asaṃśayaṃ samagraṃ māṃ yathā jñāsyasi tacchṛṇu ||7-1||

Arjuna, focus your mind on me and practice yoga with me as your refuge, and I'll share with you how you can come to know me completely, without any doubt.

7.2

ज्ञानं तेऽहं सविज्ञानमिदं वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः | यज्ज्ञात्वा नेह भूयोऽन्यज्ज्ञातव्यमवशिष्यते ||७-२||

jñānaṃ te.ahaṃ savijñānamidaṃ vakṣyāmyaśeṣataḥ . yajjñātvā neha bhūyo.anyajjñātavyamavaśiṣyate ||7-2||

I'll share with you a complete understanding that includes direct experience, and once you have this, you won't need to know anything else, as it will be all-encompassing.

7.3

मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिद्यतति सिद्धये | यततामपि सिद्धानां कश्चिन्मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः ||७-३||

manuṣyāṇāṃ sahasreṣu kaścidyatati siddhaye . yatatāmapi siddhānāṃ kaścinmāṃ vetti tattvataḥ ||7-3||

Out of thousands of people, hardly anyone strives to reach their full potential, and even among those who do achieve spiritual success, very few truly understand me.

7.4

भूमिरापोऽनलो वायुः खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च | अहंकार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिरष्टधा ||७-४||

bhūmirāpo.analo vāyuḥ khaṃ mano buddhireva ca . ahaṃkāra itīyaṃ me bhinnā prakṛtiraṣṭadhā ||7-4||

My nature is made up of eight distinct elements: earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect, and ego, all of which are part of my being.

7.5

अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम् | जीवभूतां महाबाहो ययेदं धार्यते जगत् ||७-५||

apareyamitastvanyāṃ prakṛtiṃ viddhi me parām . jīvabhūtāṃ mahābāho yayedaṃ dhāryate jagat ||7-5||

Besides this earthly nature, Arjuna, I have a higher nature that is the essence of life, and it's this life force that sustains the entire universe. This is the vital energy that supports all of existence, and it's distinct from the material world. Through this higher nature, everything in the world is upheld.

7.6

एतद्योनीनि भूतानि सर्वाणीत्युपधारय | अहं कृत्स्नस्य जगतः प्रभवः प्रलयस्तथा ||७-६||

etadyonīni bhūtāni sarvāṇītyupadhāraya . ahaṃ kṛtsnasya jagataḥ prabhavaḥ pralayastathā ||7-6||

All living things originate from these two energies, and I am the ultimate source of the entire universe, as well as its final destination, the point of dissolution.

7.7

मत्तः परतरं नान्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय | मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव ||७-७||

mattaḥ parataraṃ nānyatkiñcidasti dhanañjaya . mayi sarvamidaṃ protaṃ sūtre maṇigaṇā iva ||7-7||

There's nothing greater than me, Arjuna, and everything in the universe is connected to me, like beads threaded on a string, forming an intricate whole.

7.8

रसोऽहमप्सु कौन्तेय प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययोः | प्रणवः सर्ववेदेषु शब्दः खे पौरुषं नृषु ||७-८||

raso.ahamapsu kaunteya prabhāsmi śaśisūryayoḥ . praṇavaḥ sarvavedeṣu śabdaḥ khe pauruṣaṃ nṛṣu ||7-8||

I am the essence that gives water its flavor, Arjuna, the radiance that shines in the moon and sun, the sacred sound Om that resonates through all the Vedas, the vibration that fills the air, and the vitality that makes men strong.

7.9

पुण्यो गन्धः पृथिव्यां च तेजश्चास्मि विभावसौ | जीवनं सर्वभूतेषु तपश्चास्मि तपस्विषु ||७-९||

puṇyo gandhaḥ pṛthivyāṃ ca tejaścāsmi vibhāvasau . jīvanaṃ sarvabhūteṣu tapaścāsmi tapasviṣu ||7-9||

I am the refreshing scent that fills the earth and the radiant energy of fire, the vital force that sustains all living beings, and the disciplined spirit that drives those who practice intense self-control.

7.10

बीजं मां सर्वभूतानां विद्धि पार्थ सनातनम् | बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् ||७-१०||

bījaṃ māṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ viddhi pārtha sanātanam . buddhirbuddhimatāmasmi tejastejasvināmaham ||7-10||

I am the eternal source of all living things, Arjuna, and the spark of intelligence in those who are wise. I shine brightest in those who radiate brilliance, and my presence illuminates their inner light. I am the essence that brings wisdom and brilliance to all who possess it.

7.11

बलं बलवतां चाहं कामरागविवर्जितम् | धर्माविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामोऽस्मि भरतर्षभ ||७-११||

balaṃ balavatāṃ cāhaṃ kāmarāgavivarjitam . dharmāviruddho bhūteṣu kāmo.asmi bharatarṣabha ||7-11||

I am the inner strength of those who are strong, yet free from desire and attachment, and in all living beings, I am the desire that aligns with what is right, Arjuna.

7.12

ये चैव सात्त्विका भावा राजसास्तामसाश्च ये | मत्त एवेति तान्विद्धि न त्वहं तेषु ते मयि ||७-१२||

ye caiva sāttvikā bhāvā rājasāstāmasāśca ye . matta eveti tānviddhi na tvahaṃ teṣu te mayi ||7-12||

Everything in existence, whether it's pure, energetic, or dull, originates from me, Krishna. These qualities are contained within me, but my true essence remains beyond them, untouched by their limitations. I am the source of all these beings and their characteristics, yet I remain transcendent, not bound by their nature.

7.13

त्रिभिर्गुणमयैर्भावैरेभिः सर्वमिदं जगत् | मोहितं नाभिजानाति मामेभ्यः परमव्ययम् ||७-१३||

tribhirguṇamayairbhāvairebhiḥ sarvamidaṃ jagat . mohitaṃ nābhijānāti māmebhyaḥ paramavyayam ||7-13||

Because people are clouded by the three material qualities, they see the whole world as just a blend of those modes and fail to recognize the unchanging, supreme reality that I am.

7.14

दैवी ह्येषा गुणमयी मम माया दुरत्यया | मामेव ये प्रपद्यन्ते मायामेतां तरन्ति ते ||७-१४||

daivī hyeṣā guṇamayī mama māyā duratyayā . māmeva ye prapadyante māyāmetāṃ taranti te ||7-14||

My divine power, made up of the qualities of nature, is hard to overcome, but those who surrender to me alone can transcend it, escaping its influence.

7.15

न मां दुष्कृतिनो मूढाः प्रपद्यन्ते नराधमाः | माययापहृतज्ञाना आसुरं भावमाश्रिताः ||७-१५||

na māṃ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ . māyayāpahṛtajñānā āsuraṃ bhāvamāśritāḥ ||7-15||

Those who are deeply misguided and consumed by darkness don't turn to me, for their understanding is clouded by illusion, and they've embraced a path that's opposed to divine wisdom, following the ways of darkness instead.

7.16

चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जनाः सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन | आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ ||७-१६||

caturvidhā bhajante māṃ janāḥ sukṛtino.arjuna . ārto jijñāsurarthārthī jñānī ca bharatarṣabha ||7-16||

Four types of people with good hearts come to me, Arjuna: those who are struggling and seeking relief, those who are curious and want to learn, those who are looking for material success, and those who are wise and seeking a deeper understanding, O lord of the Bharatas.

7.17

तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते | प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रियः ||७-१७||

teṣāṃ jñānī nityayukta ekabhaktirviśiṣyate . priyo hi jñānino.atyarthamahaṃ sa ca mama priyaḥ ||7-17||

Among these devotees, the one who is truly wise and constantly devoted to me, with an exclusive love, stands out as exceptional, for I am especially fond of the wise, and they are especially dear to me.

7.18

उदाराः सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम् | आस्थितः स हि युक्तात्मा मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम् ||७-१८||

udārāḥ sarva evaite jñānī tvātmaiva me matam . āsthitaḥ sa hi yuktātmā māmevānuttamāṃ gatim ||7-18||

All these individuals are truly noble, but to me, the one who is wise is like my very own self, for they remain steadfast, united with me as their ultimate destination.

7.19

बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते | वासुदेवः सर्वमिति स महात्मा सुदुर्लभः ||७-१९||

bahūnāṃ janmanāmante jñānavānmāṃ prapadyate . vāsudevaḥ sarvamiti sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ ||7-19||

After many lifetimes, a person who has gained wisdom finally comes to understand that I, Krishna, am the essence of everything, and such a deeply enlightened being is truly rare to find. This is the culmination of a long journey of spiritual growth, where one recognizes that Vasudeva is the ultimate reality. A great soul like this is extremely hard to come by.

7.20

कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः | तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया ||७-२०||

kāmaistaistairhṛtajñānāḥ prapadyante.anyadevatāḥ . taṃ taṃ niyamamāsthāya prakṛtyā niyatāḥ svayā ||7-20||

People whose understanding is clouded by their desires turn to other deities, following various rituals that are shaped by their own inherent nature. They're driven by their natural tendencies, leading them to adopt specific practices and worship other gods.

7.21

यो यो यां यां तनुं भक्तः श्रद्धयार्चितुमिच्छति | तस्य तस्याचलां श्रद्धां तामेव विदधाम्यहम् ||७-२१||

yo yo yāṃ yāṃ tanuṃ bhaktaḥ śraddhayārcitumicchati . tasya tasyācalāṃ śraddhāṃ tāmeva vidadhāmyaham ||7-21||

When a devotee wants to worship a particular form with faith, I make their faith in that form unwavering and strong, so it remains steady and unshakeable.

7.22

स तया श्रद्धया युक्तस्तस्याराधनमीहते | लभते च ततः कामान्मयैव विहितान्हि तान् ||७-२२||

sa tayā śraddhayā yuktastasyārādhanamīhate . labhate ca tataḥ kāmānmayaivavihitānhi tān ||7-22||

With faith like that, a person devotes themselves to the worship of their chosen form, and from it, they attain their desires, which I have already ordained to be fulfilled in this way.

7.23

अन्तवत्तु फलं तेषां तद्भवत्यल्पमेधसाम् | देवान्देवयजो यान्ति मद्भक्ता यान्ति मामपि ||७-२३||

antavattu phalaṃ teṣāṃ tadbhavatyalpamedhasām . devāndevayajo yānti madbhaktā yānti māmapi ||7-23||

The outcome for those with limited understanding is fleeting. People who worship lesser deities will reach those deities, but those who are devoted to me will come directly to me, Krishna. This is the fundamental difference in the ultimate results of their devotion.

7.24

अव्यक्तं व्यक्तिमापन्नं मन्यन्ते मामबुद्धयः | परं भावमजानन्तो ममाव्ययमनुत्तमम् ||७-२४||

avyaktaṃ vyaktimāpannaṃ manyante māmabuddhayaḥ . paraṃ bhāvamajānanto mamāvyayamanuttamam ||7-24||

Those who don't understand think of me as something that can be seen and grasped, but they're missing the point - my true nature is beyond human form, unchanging, and supreme. I am more than what they can perceive. My essence is immutable and unparalleled.

7.25

नाहं प्रकाशः सर्वस्य योगमायासमावृतः | मूढोऽयं नाभिजानाति लोको मामजमव्ययम् ||७-२५||

nāhaṃ prakāśaḥ sarvasya yogamāyāsamāvṛtaḥ . mūḍho.ayaṃ nābhijānāti loko māmajamavyayam ||7-25||

I remain hidden from everyone because my true nature is veiled by my own divine power. The world is misled and doesn't recognize me as the eternal and unchanging one, beyond birth and decay.

7.26

वेदाहं समतीतानि वर्तमानानि चार्जुन | भविष्याणि च भूतानि मां तु वेद न कश्चन ||७-२६||

vedāhaṃ samatītāni vartamānāni cārjuna . bhaviṣyāṇi ca bhūtāni māṃ tu veda na kaścana ||7-26||

I'm aware of all beings, past, present, and future, Arjuna, but none of them truly understand me.

7.27

इच्छाद्वेषसमुत्थेन द्वन्द्वमोहेन भारत | सर्वभूतानि सम्मोहं सर्गे यान्ति परन्तप ||७-२७||

icchādveṣasamutthena dvandvamohena bhārata . sarvabhūtāni sammohaṃ sarge yānti parantapa ||7-27||

Driven by desires and aversions, all living beings are deluded from birth, caught in a web of conflicting attractions and repulsions, Bharata. This fundamental confusion arises from the push-and-pull of opposing forces, leaving everyone bewildered, Parantapa.

7.28

येषां त्वन्तगतं पापं जनानां पुण्यकर्मणाम् | ते द्वन्द्वमोहनिर्मुक्ता भजन्ते मां दृढव्रताः ||७-२८||

yeṣāṃ tvantagataṃ pāpaṃ janānāṃ puṇyakarmaṇām . te dvandvamohanirmuktā bhajante māṃ dṛḍhavratāḥ ||7-28||

Those who have overcome their past mistakes and risen above the confusion caused by life's dualities, with unwavering commitment, devote themselves to me, their actions guided by a strong sense of purpose and righteousness.

7.29

जरामरणमोक्षाय मामाश्रित्य यतन्ति ये | ते ब्रह्म तद्विदुः कृत्स्नमध्यात्मं कर्म चाखिलम् ||७-२९||

jarāmaraṇamokṣāya māmāśritya yatanti ye . te brahma tadviduḥ kṛtsnamadhyātmaṃ karma cākhilam ||7-29||

Those who seek freedom from the cycle of aging and death, and take shelter in me, come to fully understand the ultimate reality, knowing their true self and the purpose of all actions. They realize that everything is connected and that all their efforts find fulfillment in me.

7.30

साधिभूताधिदैवं मां साधियज्ञं च ये विदुः | प्रयाणकालेऽपि च मां ते विदुर्युक्तचेतसः ||७-३०||

sādhibhūtādhidaivaṃ māṃ sādhiyajñaṃ ca ye viduḥ . prayāṇakāle.api ca māṃ te viduryuktacetasaḥ ||7-30||

Those who understand me as the essence of the physical world, the divine, and the sacrificial spirit, remain connected to me even in their final moments, with a focused and steadfast mind. They recognize me as the underlying reality of all existence, and this awareness stays with them at the time of death. With their hearts and minds anchored in this knowledge, they are one with me, even as they leave this life behind.