Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga
Knowledge and Wisdom
Krishna describes His lower nature — the eightfold prakriti of earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect and ego — and His higher nature, the living consciousness that sustains the universe. He is the taste in water, the light in moon and sun, the sound in ether, the fragrance in earth. He names four kinds of people who turn to Him: the distressed, the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of gain, and the wise — and speaks of maya, the veil that makes the world seem to be only what it appears.
All 30 verses of Chapter 7
Verse 7.1
श्रीभगवानुवाच । मय्यासक्तमनाः पार्थ योगं युञ्जन्मदाश्रयः । असंशयं समग्रं मां यथा ज्ञास्यसि तच्छृणु ॥
śrī bhagavān uvāca. mayy āsaktamanāḥ pārtha yogaṁ yuñjan madāśrayaḥ, asaṁśayaṁ samagraṁ māṁ yathā jñāsyasi tac chṛṇu.
The Supreme Lord said: O Partha, hear now how, with the mind attached to Me and practicing Yoga while taking refuge in Me, you shall know Me completely, without any doubt.
Life lesson: Start today by simply turning your attention toward what you hold sacred, before trying to understand it fully.
Read verse 7.1 in full →Verse 7.2
ज्ञानं तेऽहं सविज्ञानमिदं वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः । यज्ज्ञात्वा नेह भूयोऽन्यज्ज्ञातव्यमवशिष्यते ॥
jñānaṁ te'haṁ savijñānam idaṁ vakṣyāmy aśeṣataḥ, yaj jñātvā neha bhūyo'nyaj jñātavyam avaśiṣyate.
I shall now declare to you in full this knowledge together with realization, knowing which nothing further remains to be known in this world.
Life lesson: Trust that the deepest questions in your life do have real answers—stay open to receiving them.
Read verse 7.2 in full →Verse 7.3
मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिद्यतति सिद्धये । यततामपि सिद्धानां कश्चिन्मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः ॥
manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati siddhaye yatatām api siddhānāṁ kaścin māṁ vetti tattvataḥ
Among thousands of people, hardly one strives for perfection; and among those who strive and succeed, hardly one truly knows Me.
Life lesson: If you're even asking deeper questions about life today, recognize that alone as something rare and worth honoring.
Read verse 7.3 in full →Verse 7.4
भूमिरापोऽनलो वायुः खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च । अहङ्कार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिरष्टधा ॥
bhūmir āpo 'nalo vāyuḥ khaṁ mano buddhir eva ca ahaṅkāra itīyaṁ me bhinnā prakṛtir aṣṭadhā
Earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect, and ego — this is My eightfold divided material nature.
Life lesson: When your ego reacts strongly to something today, remember it's just one part of a larger nature, not the deepest truth of who you are.
Read verse 7.4 in full →Verse 7.5
अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम् । जीवभूतां महाबाहो ययेदं धार्यते जगत् ॥
apareyam itas tv anyāṁ prakṛtiṁ viddhi me parām jīva-bhūtāṁ mahā-bāho yayedaṁ dhāryate jagat
This is My lower nature; but know My other, higher nature, O mighty-armed one — the living being, by which this world is sustained.
Life lesson: Beneath today's material concerns, remember there's a living, sustaining force in you that's worth more attention than the surface details.
Read verse 7.5 in full →Verse 7.6
एतद्योनीनि भूतानि सर्वाणीत्युपधारय । अहं कृत्स्नस्य जगतः प्रभवः प्रलयस्तथा ॥
etadyonīni bhūtāni sarvāṇīty upadhāraya, ahaṁ kṛtsnasya jagataḥ prabhavaḥ pralayas tathā.
Understand that all beings have these two natures as their source; I am the origin of the entire universe, and also its dissolution.
Life lesson: When something ends today, remember endings and beginnings both come from the same larger flow of life.
Read verse 7.6 in full →Verse 7.7
मत्तः परतरं नान्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय । मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव ॥
mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya mayi sarvam idaṁ protaṁ sūtre maṇi-gaṇā iva
There is nothing higher than Me, O Dhananjaya. Everything is strung on Me, like pearls on a thread.
Life lesson: When life feels scattered today, trust that there's a thread holding it all together, even if you can't see the whole pattern yet.
Read verse 7.7 in full →Verse 7.8
रसोऽहमप्सु कौन्तेय प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययोः । प्रणवः सर्ववेदेषु शब्दः खे पौरुषं नृषु ॥
raso 'ham apsu kaunteya prabhāsmi śaśi-sūryayoḥ praṇavaḥ sarva-vedeṣu śabdaḥ khe pauruṣaṁ nṛṣu
I am the taste in water, O Kaunteya, and the light in the sun and moon. I am the syllable Om in all the Vedas, the sound in ether, and ability in humans.
Life lesson: Notice one ordinary thing today — a taste, a sound, a bit of effort — and see if you can sense something sacred in it.
Read verse 7.8 in full →Verse 7.9
पुण्यो गन्धः पृथिव्यां च तेजश्चास्मि विभावसौ । जीवनं सर्वभूतेषु तपश्चास्मि तपस्विषु ॥
puṇyo gandhaḥ pṛthivyāṁ ca tejaś cāsmi vibhāvasau, jīvanaṁ sarvabhūteṣu tapaś cāsmi tapasviṣu.
I am the pure fragrance of the earth and the brilliance of fire; I am the life in all beings, and the austerity of the ascetics.
Life lesson: Notice the divine hiding in ordinary things today—a scent, a breath, a moment of quiet discipline.
Read verse 7.9 in full →Verse 7.10
बीजं मां सर्वभूतानां विद्धि पार्थ सनातनम् । बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् ॥
bījaṁ māṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ viddhi pārtha sanātanam, buddhir buddhimatām asmi tejas tejasvinām aham.
Know Me, O Partha, to be the eternal seed of all beings; I am the intelligence of the intelligent, and the splendor of the splendid.
Life lesson: Use your talents today with humility, remembering they flow from something greater than your own effort alone.
Read verse 7.10 in full →Verse 7.11
बलं बलवतां चाहं कामरागविवर्जितम् । धर्माविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामोऽस्मि भरतर्षभ ॥
balaṁ balavatāṁ cāhaṁ kāma-rāga-vivarjitam dharmāviruddho bhūteṣu kāmo 'smi bharatarṣabha
I am the strength of the strong, free from desire and attachment, and I am desire in beings that is not opposed to dharma, O best of the Bharatas.
Life lesson: If you feel strong or want something today, check that it stays free of ego and within what's right — that keeps it wholesome.
Read verse 7.11 in full →Verse 7.12
ये चैव सात्त्विका भावा राजसास्तामसाश्च ये । मत्त एवेति तान्विद्धि न त्वहं तेषु ते मयि ॥
ye caiva sāttvikā bhāvā rājasās tāmasāś ca ye, matta eveti tān viddhi na tv ahaṁ teṣu te mayi.
Know that whatever states of being arise—whether of goodness, passion, or ignorance—all come from Me alone; yet I am not in them, they are in Me.
Life lesson: When a difficult mood arises today, remember it's temporary and held within something larger and steadier than itself.
Read verse 7.12 in full →Verse 7.13
त्रिभिर्गुणमयैर्भावैरेभिः सर्वमिदं जगत् । मोहितं नाभिजानाति मामेभ्यः परमव्ययम् ॥
tribhir guṇamayair bhāvair ebhiḥ sarvam idaṁ jagat, mohitaṁ nābhijānāti mām ebhyaḥ param avyayam.
Deluded by these three states of being made of the gunas, the whole world fails to recognize Me, who am beyond them and imperishable.
Life lesson: When emotions pull at you today, try to notice the calm awareness watching them, not just the emotions themselves.
Read verse 7.13 in full →Verse 7.14
दैवी ह्येषा गुणमयी मम माया दुरत्यया । मामेव ये प्रपद्यन्ते मायामेतां तरन्ति ते ॥
daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te
This divine energy of Mine, made of the three modes of nature, is very difficult to overcome. But those who surrender unto Me alone cross beyond it.
Life lesson: If a habit or pattern feels too strong to break alone today, try surrendering it in trust rather than fighting it with sheer willpower.
Read verse 7.14 in full →Verse 7.15
न मां दुष्कृतिनो मूढाः प्रपद्यन्ते नराधमाः । माययापहृतज्ञाना आसुरं भावमाश्रिताः ॥
na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ, māyayāpahṛtajñānā āsuraṁ bhāvam āśritāḥ.
The doers of evil, the deluded, the lowest of humans, whose wisdom has been stolen by illusion, and who cling to a demonic nature, do not surrender to Me.
Life lesson: Notice today if small self-deceptions are pulling you away from what you know is right, and gently correct course.
Read verse 7.15 in full →Verse 7.16
चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जनाः सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन । आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ ॥
catur-vidhā bhajante māṁ janāḥ sukṛtino 'rjuna ārto jijñāsur arthārthī jñānī ca bharatarṣabha
Four kinds of virtuous people worship Me, O Arjuna — the distressed, the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of wealth, and the wise.
Life lesson: Whatever reason brought you to seek something deeper today — struggle, curiosity, or need — trust that it's a valid place to start.
Read verse 7.16 in full →Verse 7.17
तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते । प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रियः ॥
teṣāṁ jñānī nityayukta ekabhaktir viśiṣyate, priyo hi jñānino'tyartham ahaṁ sa ca mama priyaḥ.
Among these, the wise one, ever united in single-minded devotion, is the best; for I am exceedingly dear to the wise, and they are dear to Me.
Life lesson: Let today's devotion come with understanding, not just ritual—sincere knowing deepens genuine love.
Read verse 7.17 in full →Verse 7.18
उदाराः सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम् । आस्थितः स हि युक्तात्मा मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम् ॥
udārāḥ sarva evaite jñānī tv ātmaiva me matam āsthitaḥ sa hi yuktātmā mām evānuttamāṁ gatim
All of these are noble, but the wise one I consider as My very self, for such a person, steadfast in mind, is devoted to Me as the highest goal.
Life lesson: Wherever you are on your journey today, know that your sincere seeking already makes you valued — you don't need to have arrived.
Read verse 7.18 in full →Verse 7.19
बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते । वासुदेवः सर्वमिति स महात्मा सुदुर्लभः ॥
bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ
After many births, one who possesses true knowledge surrenders unto Me, realizing that everything is Vasudeva. Such a great soul is very rare to find.
Life lesson: If deep understanding feels slow to arrive today, be patient with yourself — some realizations are worth the long unfolding.
Read verse 7.19 in full →Verse 7.20
कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः । तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया ॥
kāmais tais tair hṛtajñānāḥ prapadyante'nyadevatāḥ, taṁ taṁ niyamam āsthāya prakṛtyā niyatāḥ svayā.
Those whose discernment is carried away by various desires surrender to other deities, following particular rites, guided by their own inborn nature.
Life lesson: Notice today how many small desires compete for your attention, and gently choose the one that truly matters.
Read verse 7.20 in full →Verse 7.21
यो यो यां यां तनुं भक्तः श्रद्धयार्चितुमिच्छति । तस्य तस्याचलां श्रद्धां तामेव विदधाम्यहम् ॥
yo yo yāṁ yāṁ tanuṁ bhaktaḥ śraddhayārcitum icchati, tasya tasyācalāṁ śraddhāṁ tām eva vidadhāmy aham.
Whatever divine form a devotee seeks to worship with faith, I make that very faith of theirs steady and unwavering.
Life lesson: Honor the sincerity in your own faith today, wherever your practice currently stands.
Read verse 7.21 in full →Verse 7.22
स तया श्रद्धया युक्तस्तस्याराधनमीहते । लभते च ततः कामान्मयैव विहितान्हि तान् ॥
sa tayā śraddhayā yuktas tasyārādhanam īhate, labhate ca tataḥ kāmān mayaiva vihitān hi tān.
Endowed with that faith, one seeks to worship that form, and thereby obtains one's desires, which are indeed granted by Me alone.
Life lesson: When something you asked for arrives today, pause to recognize the deeper source behind the gift.
Read verse 7.22 in full →Verse 7.23
अन्तवत्तु फलं तेषां तद्भवत्यल्पमेधसाम् । देवान्देवयजो यान्ति मद्भक्ता यान्ति मामपि ॥
antavat tu phalaṁ teṣāṁ tad bhavaty alpamedhasām, devān devayajo yānti madbhaktā yānti mām api.
But the fruit gained by those of little understanding is temporary; worshippers of the gods go to the gods, while My devotees come to Me.
Life lesson: Ask today whether your deepest devotion is aimed at something lasting, or only at something temporary.
Read verse 7.23 in full →Verse 7.24
अव्यक्तं व्यक्तिमापन्नं मन्यन्ते मामबुद्धयः । परं भावमजानन्तो ममाव्ययमनुत्तमम् ॥
avyaktaṁ vyaktim āpannaṁ manyante mām abuddhayaḥ, paraṁ bhāvam ajānanto mamāvyayam anuttamam.
The unintelligent think of Me, the unmanifest, as having taken a mere manifest form, not knowing My higher, imperishable, and supreme nature.
Life lesson: Look past first impressions today—people and truths often hold more depth than what's immediately visible.
Read verse 7.24 in full →Verse 7.25
नाहं प्रकाशः सर्वस्य योगमायासमावृतः । मूढोऽयं नाभिजानाति लोको मामजमव्ययम् ॥
nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya yogamāyāsamāvṛtaḥ, mūḍho'yaṁ nābhijānāti loko mām ajam avyayam.
Veiled by My divine creative power, I am not manifest to everyone; this deluded world does not recognize Me as unborn and imperishable.
Life lesson: If something feels unclear today, be patient—understanding often takes time to unveil itself.
Read verse 7.25 in full →Verse 7.26
वेदाहं समतीतानि वर्तमानानि चार्जुन । भविष्याणि च भूतानि मां तु वेद न कश्चन ॥
vedāhaṁ samatītāni vartamānāni cārjuna, bhaviṣyāṇi ca bhūtāni māṁ tu veda na kaścana.
O Arjuna, I know all beings of the past, present, and future, but no one truly knows Me.
Life lesson: Stay humble today about what you don't yet understand—wonder is a fine companion to knowledge.
Read verse 7.26 in full →Verse 7.27
इच्छाद्वेषसमुत्थेन द्वन्द्वमोहेन भारत । सर्वभूतानि सम्मोहं सर्गे यान्ति परन्तप ॥
icchādveṣasamutthena dvandvamohena bhārata, sarvabhūtāni sammohaṁ sarge yānti parantapa.
O Bharata, all beings at birth fall into delusion caused by the duality arising from desire and aversion, O scorcher of foes.
Life lesson: When you notice today's pull between wanting and avoiding, treat it gently as simply part of being human.
Read verse 7.27 in full →Verse 7.28
येषां त्वन्तगतं पापं जनानां पुण्यकर्मणाम् । ते द्वन्द्वमोहनिर्मुक्ता भजन्ते मां दृढव्रताः ॥
yeṣāṁ tv antagataṁ pāpaṁ janānāṁ puṇyakarmaṇām, te dvandvamohanirmuktā bhajante māṁ dṛḍhavratāḥ.
But those persons of virtuous deeds whose sin has come to an end, freed from the delusion of duality, worship Me with firm resolve.
Life lesson: Keep choosing the honest path today, even in small ways—clarity builds gradually from consistent choices.
Read verse 7.28 in full →Verse 7.29
जरामरणमोक्षाय मामाश्रित्य यतन्ति ये । ते ब्रह्म तद्विदुः कृत्स्नमध्यात्मं कर्म चाखिलम् ॥
jarāmaraṇamokṣāya mām āśritya yatanti ye, te brahma tad viduḥ kṛtsnam adhyātmaṁ karma cākhilam.
Those who take refuge in Me and strive for liberation from old age and death come to know Brahman entirely, the whole nature of the self, and all of action.
Life lesson: Let today's awareness of life's impermanence deepen your gratitude rather than your fear.
Read verse 7.29 in full →Verse 7.30
साधिभूताधिदैवं मां साधियज्ञं च ये विदुः । प्रयाणकालेऽपि च मां ते विदुर्युक्तचेतसः ॥
sādhibhūtādhidaivaṁ māṁ sādhiyajñaṁ ca ye viduḥ, prayāṇakāle'pi ca māṁ te vidur yuktacetasaḥ.
Those of steadfast mind who know Me as governing the physical creation, the divine forces, and all sacrifice, know Me even at the time of death.
Life lesson: Build today the kind of steady awareness that you'd want to carry with you into any difficult moment.
Read verse 7.30 in full →