BHAGAVAD-GÉTÄ - CHAPTER SUMMARIES

Part 1: Karma Yogä Section - Chapters 1-6

Part 2: Bhakti Yogä Section - Chapters 7-12
Part 3: Jïäna Yogä Section - Chapters 13-18

BG CH 7 KNOWLEDGE OF THE ABSOLUTE

The first chapter introduces the dialogue in the Gétä. The second, third and fourth chapters’ deal with niñkäma-
karma. The fifth deals with jïäna and sixth with añöäìga-yoga. But the main topic of the first six chapters is karma-
yoga.
The first six chapters have spoken mainly of the svarüpa of the jéva, the worshipper, and the means to realize this.
The middle six chapters speak of the svarüpa of Lord, the object of worship, and the means to realize Him. Though
Arjuna did not ask about what type of form should be worshipped and how to absorb the mind in that object (mad
gatena antar ätmanä çraddhavän bhajate yo mäm) after these were mentioned by the Lord at the end of the last
chapter, the Lord eager to describe this out of His merciful nature, now begins to speak.
In the first six chapters of the Gétä, jïäna and añöäìga-yoga which lead to liberation, and depend upon niñkäma-
karma-yoga which first purifies the heart, have been described. In the middle six chapters, two types of bhakti will be
described: that bhakti which yields sälokya and other types of liberation by being either without desire or with desire,
because of mixture of karma, jïäna or other elements; and the main type of bhakti which yields liberation in the form
of becoming an associate of the Lord with prema. This type of bhakti is independent of karma, jïäna or other
processes, and, moreover, independently yields all goals such as Svarga and mokña without performance of any other
process. Though easy to perform for all people, it is most rare.
The last verse of 6th chapter is a concise statement of bhakti which will be defined in middle six chapters, and it is
the thread-like ornament on the neck of the devotees.
The seventh chapter describes the powers of Kåñëa, the powers of the Lord who is worthiest of worship. The four
types of persons who worship and do not worship Kåñëa are also described.

HEAD: Bhakti is the matter of Head and Heart (engage HEAD to approach the Godhead)
H – Hearing (Verses 1-3)
E – Everywhere (Verses 4-12)
A – Accept or Reject (Verses 13-19)
D – Demigods (Verses 20-30)

BG CH 7 KNOWLEDGE OF THE ABSOLUTE

Connection between Chapter 6 and Chapter 7
 Text 6.47 explains that Ayogi who always thinks of Me in devotion is the best (“mad-gatenäntarätmanä...”)
 Text 7.1 explains how to do so
 Text 6.47- concentrateon Him In full faith
 Faith comes from knowledge
 Without knowledge one may doubt Kåñëa’s position
 Therefore, in Chapters 7 to 12 - Kåñëa presents the “knowledge of himself” as SPOG, to inspire and strengthen
Bhakti
 Text 7.1 stresses on ‘Hearing’ - Acquiring knowledge by descending process, as the only process
CH BREAKDOWN
BG 7.1-3: JUST HEAR (KNOWING KÅÑËA BY HEARING ABOUT HIM)
 Kåñëa requests Arjuna to hear of both His material and spiritual energies
 Declares that the transcendentalist who succeeds in truly knowing Him is most rare
BG 7.4-12: KNOWING KÅÑËA’S MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL ENERGIES
 Kåñëa is the source of both matter and spirit
 Can be seen in the world when we view all existence as a combination of Kåñëa’s material and spiritual energies.
He is also the active essence of everything
 Although Kåñëa is not under His energies, the three modes, all else in material existence is manifested by
combination of goodness, passion and ignorance
BG 7.13-14: KÅÑËA CONTROLS THE MODES: SO SURRENDER
 Those who surrender to Kåñëa (the controller of the modes) will cross beyond the delusion caused by three
modes and come to know Him
BG 7.15-19: THE IMPIOUS NEVER SURRENDER, PIOUS DO
 Four kinds of men never surrender and four kinds of men do surrender
 Of those who surrender, the jïäné with no material desire is best but rare
BG 7.20-25: SURRENDER TO DEMIGODS AND IMPERSONALISM
 Those who surrender to demigods and those who are impersonalists have no knowledge of Kåñëa and in their
foolishness, do not surrender to Him
BG 7.26-30: BEWILDERMENT AND FREEDOM BY KNOWING KÅÑËA
 Living entities bewilderment is caused by mäyä’s forcing him to see dualities
 His freedom is caused by devotional service, which places him beyond those dualities
 By being conscious of Kåñëa in devotional service, one can know Him even at the time of death
BG 7.1-3: JUST HEAR (KNOWING KÅÑËA BY HEARING ABOUT HIM)
PA’S
 Rare understanding of Kåñëa and His energies is obtained through proper hearing
 To truly know a thing requires, more than existential data, an awareness of its relation to the Absolute, ÇréKåñëa.
Therefore one can know everything phenomenal (material) and numinous (spiritual) simply by hearing of Kåñëa and
His energies
BG 7.1: To always think of Kåñëa in devotion, one must hear about Kåñëa and His Supreme position. Now hear from
Kåñëa Himself in this chapter
 How to know Kåñëa in full?
 Hear from Him, Practicing Bhakti Yoga, with Mind attached to Him in full consciousness of Him
(a) Full and scientific knowledge is Kåñëa and not impersonal Brahman or Paramätmä
(b) Kåñëa Consciousnessprocess reveals full knowledge -because mind is fully attached to Kåñëa (Bg. 6.47)
(c) Process to concentrate mind -nine fold process; first and foremost - Çravaëaà (Indicated by word ‘tac-chåëu’)
(d) Whom to hear from -only Kåñëa or pure devotee/not non-devotee scholar
(e) Process of understanding Kåñëa by hearing (Ref. SB 1.2.17-21)- Steps for advancement
(f) Conclusion:Only way to understand the science of Kåñëa - By hearing from Kåñëa or from His devotees
BG 7.2: In this chapter, Kåñëa“fully reveals knowledge of Himself” as the SPOG, source of both spiritual (numinous
knowledge / Vijïäna) and material (phenomenal knowledge / jïäna) existence
 Jïäna- Phenomenal knowledge
 Vijïäna- Numinous knowledge
(a) Definition of complete knowledge/transcendental knowledge - To know matter, spirit and the source of both
(b) Eligibility of Arjuna - ‘Devotee’ and ‘Friend’
(c) Qualification to receive transcendental knowledge: Only a devotee; in bonafide parampara; directly from SL
(d) “Nothing remains to be known”
BG 7.3: Rarity of this Knowledge (Here Kåñëa says: “Who is qualified to receive this knowledge?”)
 Out of many thousands - one may endeavor for perfection
 Those achieved perfection - one may know me in truth (tattvataù)
PA’S OF 7.3
 Bhakti is ‘easy’ because it requires no material qualifications
 In another sense, however, Bhakti is ‘very difficult’ to perfect because it obtainable only by selfless devotion, not by any
material formula of mental speculation or ritual
(a) Various grades of men: General mankind engaged in animal propensities, Hardly anyone interested in God
(b) Non-devotee’s argument - Bhakti is very easy.
(c) Refutation: Then why they cannot practice this path & choose difficult paths
(d) “Tattvataù” - means to know Kåñëa as He is as the last word in Brahman realization.
BG 7.4-12: KNOWING KÅÑËA’S MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL ENERGIES
PA’S
 Kåñëa is the source of all potencies
 Kåñëa consciousness is active in every sphere and the jurisdiction of Kåñëa consciousness extends everywhere, and one
who knows Kåñëa consciousness is blessed
 Those who do not know Kåñëa are in illusion, and so knowledge of Kåñëa is liberation, and ignorance of Him is bondage
LINK BETWEEN SECTION I & SECTION II: In the next nine verses (7.4 - 7.12), Kåñëa explains that He is the
source of both the material and spiritual energies. Because all within our experience is a combination of these two
energies, this information will enable Arjuna to see Kåñëa everywhere, even as he stands on the Battlefield of
Kurukñetra
BG 7.4-7: The Supreme position of Kåñëa - Knowledge of the Absolute
 Science of God analyzes the constitutional position of the God and His different energies, broadly the living entity and
the material nature. That analysis is done here
 ‘Prakåti’ (7.4); ‘Jéva’ (7.5); ‘Éçvara’ (7.6 - 7.7)
BG 7-4: Material energy called ‘Prakåti’ is described
(a) Description of material energy: It is the ‘separated’ energy - It is the inferior energy
(b) Knowledge of 3 Viñëus - Anyone who knows these 3 Viñëus can be liberated from material entanglement
(c) Preaching Application: Recognize the factual enjoyer - material nature, being the energy of the Lord in His
different Puruña incarnations, is meant for the enjoyment of theSupreme Energetic and not the living entity
 Result of ignorance of science of God - One assumes this world for his own enjoyment
(d) Different levels of understandings of material energy
 Material science - It comprises only 10 items (5 gross elements and 5 sense objects) and nothing more
 Philosophers - They deal with the mental activities
 Atheistic Säìkhya Philosophy: 8 energies expanded into 24 elements of the material world
(e) Basic Principle of Material Existence - ‘False ego’
(f) Intelligence -Refers to the total material creation, called mahat-tattva
BG 7.5: “Living entity” discussed as the superior energy
(a) The Living entity belongs to the superior nature/energy of the Lord
(b) Material nature is the inferior energy - It is manifested as 5 gross and 3 subtle elements
(c) Preaching application - God and Jéva are never equal
(d) Cosmic manifestation works only because of superior energy, living entity - proves that living entity is
superior to matter and equal in quality to the Lord
(e) Real liberation (Mukti) - involves: Surrender by living entity to God’s control
(f) Conclusion: Bhagavad-gétä confirms living entity to be one of the multi energies of Kåñëa
BG 7.6-7: Kåñëa (God) discussed
 Text 7.6 explains God is superior to both i.e. matter (7.4) and living entity (7.5)
 Cause of creation and cause of dissolution (7.6)
 Also He is the Maintainer of both / All depends on Him - But no-one can see Him just like no-one can see the
thread that holds together a pearl necklace
 Kåñëa has no superior source/truth (7.7)
(a) Spirit is the cause of matter: Spirit is not created at a certain stage of material development
(b) Lord is the cause of everything
(c) Refutes “life comes from chemicals” - because Kåñëa is the source of material energy
(d) Absolute Truth is personal or impersonal - Text 7.7 helps to solves this controversy
LINK B/W 7.7 & 7.8: Kåñëa explains further in the following four verses that He is the essential or maintaining
principle of various manifestations. We should appreciate Kåñëa not only as the cause but also as the essence of
everything. E.g. Kåñëa has already explained that the element water has come from Him (7.4), but what we most
appreciate about water is its taste. That taste which quenches our thirst is Kåñëa. Therefore He is the active
ingredient, the essence of water.
The next group of verses give the example of how everything depends on Him as per Text 7.7.
NOTE:All translations and some points of the purports 7.8 - 7.12 are covered under the common theme below. The
remaining points of the purport 7.8 and 7.12 are covered in the ‘Focus of Learning’ section [Link] points of the
purport are mentioned in the Connection between Chapter 4 and 5 above
BG 7.8-11: Kåñëa is the essence and cause of everything within the modes of material nature as follows:
1. Taste of Water - Taste is the active principle of water e.g. No-one likes seawater
2. Light of Sun and moon - Originally comes from Brahmajyoti (impersonal effulgence)
3. OM of Vedic mantras: Om is the transcendental sound in the beginning of every Vedic hymn
4. Sound of Ether
5. Ability of Man
6. Fragrance of Earth - “Puëya” refers to uncontaminated original flavor/smell/taste which permeates everything
7. ‘Heat of Fire (Vibhävasau) - Fire in factories/cooking/digestive fire
8. Life of all living being - Duration of man’s life is also due to Kåñëa
9. Penance of Ascetics
10. Original seed (Béjaà) of all existence (Source of everything): Seed of all 8.4 million species
11. Intelligence of Intelligent
12. Prowess of all Powerful men
13. Strength of Strong - Devoid of passion and desires (strength should be applied to protect the weak, not for
personal aggression)
14. Regulated Sex life of Religious Principles(Dharma) - used for propagation of Kåñëa conscious children
LINK B/W 7.11 & 7.12: Text 7.12 provides a summary that Kåñëa is the origin of all
BG 7.12: Still Kåñëa is not within modes, but is origin of modes and therefore He is Nirguëa
(a) How to realize Supreme Lord impersonally (7.8): Preliminarily perceived by His different energies
(b) There is no contradiction between personalists and impersonalists (7.8): Practically speaking impersonal
conception and personal conception are simultaneously present in everything and there is no contradiction
(c) Kåñëa is Nirguna (not affected by the modes) - This is one of the special characteristics of Bhagavän (7.12)
BG 7.13-14: KÅÑËA CONTROLS THE MODES: SO SURRENDER
PA’S
 The three modes are Kåñëa’s potency, which keeps the conditioned souls in illusion
 To be free from their influence, therefore, one must take shelter of Him
 Freedom from modes depends on proportion of surrender
LINK: We have now understood that Kåñëa is both the cause and the essence of everything. In Text 7.12 Kåñëa
summarizes, adding that everything is under His control, including the three modes of material nature, which in turn
control this world.
This verse ends Kåñëa’s discussion of His para (spiritual) and apara (material) energies. At this point, one may
wonder why we are prevented from seeing, knowing and surrendering to Kåñëa if He is, in one way or another,
everywhere. Kåñëa answers this question in the next two verses.
BG 7.13: Explains “Why people do not know and realize Him as the essence of all, if He is everywhere?”
 Because they are bewildered by three modes
 On the contrary, they think - Kåñëa is also under modes like me
 Real position of Kåñëa - “Above modes” and “inexhaustible
(a) “Deluded by modes” - It means to identify oneself with a particular type of body and its type of psychological
and biological activities - Example: To identify oneself based on Varna, Nation or Community etc.
(b) “Result of delusion”: One forgets SPOG, who is beyond the modes
(c) How mode of goodness also deludes - It limits the understanding of the ‘Absolute’ to the impersonal Brahman
conception
(d) Who is actually liberated: Only one truly established in Kåñëa consciousness
BG 7.14: Explains how to get free of modes and how to understand Kåñëa
 Difficult by own endeavor
 Easy by surrender to Kåñëa
(a) Conditioned souls are called Nitya-baddha, because material energy, like spiritual energy, is an eternal divine
energy
(b) Difficult to overcome - because controlled by Supreme will
(c) “Divine Nature” - Material energy is called so because of divine connection and movement by divine will (Ref.
Vedas “mäyäà tu prakåtià vidyän mäyinaà tu maheçvaram…”)
(d) Analogy of ‘Guna as rope’: Only a liberated person can rescue one who is bound
(e) “Mäm-eva”indicates surrender to only Kåñëa and not Brahmä / Çiva (Because they are also under material
energy) etc. Only Viñëu is the master of mäyä
(f) Why Brahmä / Çiva cannot help: They are almost on the level of Viñëu but they are incarnations of Rajo-guëa
and Tamo-guëa. Brahmä and Çiva are also under the influence of mäyä, only Viñëu is the master of Mäyä
LINK B/W 7.14 & 7.15: If surrender is the solution to cross material laws, then why educated philosophers,
scientists, businessmen, administrators and all leaders don’t surrender unto the lotus feet
BG 7.15-19: THE IMPIOUS NEVER SURRENDER, PIOUS DO
PA: One’s ability to surrender to Kåñëa is based upon his piety and knowledge
BG 7.15: Duñkåtinas are impious people who do not surrender
(a) Solution offered by Bhagavad-gétä to surmount stringent material laws - Surrendering unto the lotus feet of the
Supreme Personality Kåñëa
(b) Why intelligent and hard-working leaders do not take to this solution, although they desireto get liberation
from material laws
(c) Material energy is very powerful: It resists the unauthorized plans of the atheists and baffle the ‘planning
commissions’
(d) Meaning of ‘Duñkåtinah’ - They are atheistic plan-makers whose intelligence and efforts are misdirected (‘krti’
means meritorious work)
(e) Four categories of Duñkåtinasare explained in the Summarized Theme 7A below
SUMMARIZED THEME 7A: FOUR CATEGORIES OF ‘DUÑKÅTINAS’ (MISCREANTS)
1. ‘MÜÒHÄS’- Grossly foolishlike hard working asses (‘beasts of burden’)
2. Unfortunate condition of Narädhamas - They refuse to give aural reception to the messages of Godhead and
thus Narädhamas neglect the prime duty of the human being
3. ‘MÄYAYÄPAHÅTA-JÏÄNÄÙ’ - Knowledge stolen by illusory energy. Because they do not know that the blessed
form of human life is designed after the eternal and transcendental feature of the Supreme Lord
4. ‘ÄSURAÀ BHÄVAM ÄÇRITÄÙ’- Envious towards God/Atheistic demons
 Their arguments: Supreme Lord can never descend in material world
 Yamunäcärya’s comment on “knowing SPOG”: He is unknowable to persons involved with atheistic principles
LINK B/W 7.15 & 7.16: “Then who surrenders?”
BG 7.16: Describes Sukåtinas, 4 kinds of pious people who surrender unto the Lord
(a) Sukåtinas: Pious people, Adherent of regulative principles of Scriptures, Follow moral and social laws & devotees
(b) 4 categories of Sukåtinas(pious men)
 Ärtaù - Distressed
 Arthärthé - wealth seeker
 Jijïäsuù - inquisitive
 Jïäné - One who desires knowledge of Absolute truth
(c) Are they pure devotees - No, because they have some aspiration to fulfill in exchange for devotional service
(d) Pure devotional service explained: Render transcendental loving service favorably
(e) Destiny of Sukåtinas: In due course, they associate with pure devotees and get purified
(f) At what stage do these four Sukåtinas become pure devotees: When they are free from all material desires
(g) What is the hope for miscreants in regard to devotional service: For them devotional service is very difficult
LINK B/W 7.16 & 7.17: “Who is the best of the four pious people?”
BG 7.17: Wise (Jïäné) is the best, because he is:
 In full knowledge of the Absolute Truth, and free of material desires
 Engages in pure devotional service; Lord is very dear to him and he is dear to the Lord
 When one is in pure knowledge of the transcendence of the Supreme Lord, material contamination cannot touch
him (study purport)
LINK B/W 7.17 & 7.18: After hearing Text 7.17 one may conclude that the three karma-mishra-bhaktas are
insignificant and only a jïäné is important. Anticipating this, Kåñëa speaks Text 7.18
BG 7.18: Wise is the best, but, all are mahatma or magnanimous, because, “all come to Him for fulfillment of
desires”
(a) All are magnanimous because anyone who comes to the Lord for any purpose is called a Mahatma or great soul
(b) Devotees wanting some benefit out of devotional service are accepted by the Lord - Because there is an exchange
of affection
(c) Devotee in full knowledge is very dear to the Lord - Because his only purpose is to serve the Supreme Lord with
love and devotion
(d) Conclusion of 7.17-18: Intimate relationship between Kåñëa and pure devotees
LINK B/W 7.18 & 7.19: After many life-times one comes to the level of full knowledge that SPOG is the ultimate
goal of spiritual realization
BG 7.19: Devotional Service is very rare
 Jïäna ultimately leads to bhakti
 “Full knowledge” implies to know Väsudeva as cause of all causes and surrender unto Him
(a) SPOG is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization
(b) Understanding and realization of one fully matured in knowledge: Knows that spiritual life is full of activities,
& Material world is a perverted reflection of spiritual activities
BG 7.20-25: SURRENDER TO DEMIGODS AND IMPERSONALISM
PA: Atheists have no knowledge of Kåñëa and perform no worship. Others engage in worship, but have no knowledge of
Kåñëa. Thus their worship is indirect and imperfect compared to pure devotional service.
LINK: Many people turn to other higher forces to fulfill their needs for relief etc. but not all surrender to SPOG,
Some turn to “demigods” and others turn to “Impersonal Brahman”. Kåñëa described four types of people who have
no knowledge and therefore do not surrender. Now He describes other types of people, who do surrender, but
because they also have very little knowledge they surrender in imperfect ways.
SUMMARISED THEME 7B: WHY ARE DEMIGOD WORSHIPERS ARE CALLED LESS INTELLIGENT (7.20-23)
A. Intelligence stolen by material desires (Lust)- Fruits are limited and temporary (7.20 & 7.24)
B. Basis of choice of worship - Different modes and Natures - Different demigods (7.20)
C. Lack of knowledge of Kåñëa that:
 Kåñëa is the source of everything (7.6)
 Kåñëa makes faith steady, required by a living entity to worship the demigods (7.21)
 Kåñëa bestows benefits through the demigods to the living entities (7.22)
D. Result: Go to demigod planets (7.23) (keeps one in the material world, a place of misery)
E. Kåñëa ’s devotees - Go to the supreme planet of Kåñëa
 Result of demigod worship are all perishable
 Result of devotional service unto Kåñëa is unlimited and eternal
BG 7.20: People whose intelligence is stolen by material desires often surrender to demigods
 Their choice of worship depends upon the influence of the material modes
(a) Who surrenders to the Supreme Lord and engages in devotional service - One who is freed from material
contamination
(b) What if material contamination is not completely washed away: They are by nature non-devotees
(c) Then why do people still go to demigods: Intelligence, Attitude, Desire, Modes, motivation, satisfaction, &
Conception
(d) Understanding of pure devotees: “Only Kåñëa is the Supreme master and all others are servants”
BG 7.21: However it is Kåñëa who supplies the faith offered by the worshipper
(a) Every living entity has its own minute independence - Supreme Lord does not interfere but gives facilities
 Analogy: He is like the Supreme father for all living entities
(b) Why the All Powerful God gives facilities to the living entities to enjoy and fall into the trap of illusory
energy: If the Supersoul does not give such facilities there is no meaning of independence
(c) Both, the living entities and the demigods are subordinate to the will of the SPOG, and have no separate
independence without the sanction of the Lord: Living entity cannot worship by his own desire
(d) People go to demigods for different material desires (As per the Vedic literatures)
BG 7.22: It is only Kåñëa who bestows benefits through the demigods to the living entities
(a) Demigods cannot give benedictions without permission of the Supreme Lord
(b) Attitude of pure devotee: Knows that everything comes from Supreme Lord & does not ask for material benefit
(c) Reciprocation of Lord with pure devotee: Lord does not award material benefits to the pure devotees
(d) Demigod worship is material; Worship of the Supreme Lord is spiritual
BG 7.23: Result of worshipping demigods - Only perishable results of no eternal benefit
(a) This verse refutes that worship of any demigod can take one to the Supreme Lord
(b) Another philosophy - If demigods are different parts of the body of the Supreme Lord then the same end should
be achieved by worshipping them
 Response: the Supreme Lord is the source of all demigods and the demigods in themselves are not separate gods
(c) Perfect knowledge - To know, not only demigods but also living entities as parts and parcels of the SL
(d) Result of worshiping demigods vs. devotional service to Kåñëa: perishable Vs unlimited
LINK B/W 7.23 & 7.24: In addition to the demigod worshipers, another class of men who surrender, but
improperly, are the Impersonalists. They are described next.
BG 7.24: “Impersonalists” are unintelligent - Due to their small knowledge, they do not know My higher nature
which is imperishable and supreme
REFUTATION OF IMPERSONALISTS
(a) Based on Bhagavad-gétä
 Bg. 7.24: Impersonalists are unintelligent - Krsna speaks in His personal form
 Bg. 4.6:Lord is “aja” (unborn), but still appears
 Bg. 7.20 & 23: Demigods and Lord Himself as having their personal planets which points out to personalism
 Bg. 9.11: Fools deride Me as human
(b) From different devotees/äcäryas
 Yamunäcärya - “only devotees like Vyasadeva and Närada Muni can know Your form and activities, non devotees
under passion and ignorance can never know
 BrahmäSaàhitä - SPOG not known by study of scriptures like Vedänta literatures but by mercy of the Lord
 Çaìkaräcärya - Kåñëa is SPOG (followers do not accept, and therefore they are even less intelligent because they
do not follow their predecessors)
(c) Why called Abuddhayaù: Because no knowledge of ultimate feature (Bhagavän) of Absolute truth (Ref: SB)
(d) VedäntaSütra - Absolute truth is “Änanda-mayo 'bhyäsät” : Full of unlimited bliss and auspicious qualities
(e) How one cannot understand Kåñëa: By mental speculation or by simply discussing Vedic literatures
(f) How one can understand - Only by devotional service, beginning with chanting
LINK B/W 7.24 & 7.25: Why Impersonalists who are detached from matter and are also transcendental are still
unable to see Kåñë[Link], although Kåñëa’s form and pastimes are eternal, they are not visible to everyone
BG 7.25: “Result” for Impersonalists
 Supreme Lord (Absolute Truth) hides from foolish and unintelligent
 Gets covered by internal potency
 They do not know Lord as “unborn and infallible”
(a) Why Kåñëa does not reveal to everyone when He descended on earth: Kåñëa revealed only to pure devotees and
not to common man & Yogamäyä puts the curtain of Brahmajyoti, therefore the impersonalists cannot see
SUMMARISED THEME 7C: IMPERSONALISTS
A) Their philosophy:
 Impersonal Brahman as Supreme
 Kåñëa ’s form and pastimes are temporary manifestations of Brahman in contact with matter(Mäyäväd)
 They think of Kåñëa as an ordinary human, son of Vasudev and Devaké, or powerful living entity
B) What knowledge they lack
 Kåñëa is imperishable and Supreme (7.24)
 Kåñëa is unborn and infallible (7.25)
 Kåñëa knows past, present and future (7.26)
BG 7.26-30: BEWILDERMENT AND FREEDOM BY KNOWING KÅÑËA
PA’S
 Living entities are trapped in the material world because of selfish desire, they can become free by cultivation of
devotion and surrender to Kåñëa in full knowledge
 The original sinful desire of the living entity is to take Kåñëa’s position as the Supreme enjoyer
 The original hate is towards Kåñëa because of the living entities envy
LINK BETWEEN SECTION V & SECTION VI:Does covering mentioned in Text 7.25 works both ways? Does it
also prevent Kåñëa from knowing them? (Like a closed curtain)
BG 7.26: Defeats that Kåñëa’s form is material, because Lord states here
 I am fully cognizant of past, present and future (indicates Kåñëa has no material body)
 I know all
 No one knows Me
(a) This verse also solves the question of personalism or impersonalism: Kåñëa remembers past, present & future
(b) Refutes - “Mäyä can cover The Supreme Lord” Because He knows past, present and future
LINK B/W 7.26 & 7.27:How and when Living entity gets covered by Mäyä. How to get free from this covering
BG 7.27: Desire and hatred cause them to be bewildered by dualities
 What is the delusion/bewilderment - Controlled by illusory energy, one cannot understand Kåñëa
 Who can overcome delusion - One who recognize Kåñëa’s supremacy and become a devotee
(a) Real constitutional position - subordinate to the Lord who is “pure knowledge”
(b) Cause of delusion - Separation from ‘pure knowledge’ / thus covered by illusory energy
(c) Effect/ manifestation of illusory energy - duality of desire/hate
(d) Thoughts/symptoms of such delusion: Wants to become one with the Lord, Envies Kåñëa as SPOG
LINK B/W 7.27 & 7.28: This point mentioned in Text 7.27 further reveals the rarity of the jïäné because, as
described in Texts 7.16 - 7.19, jïäné’s are beyond being fooled by dualities of happiness and distress, male and female,
and so [Link] may ask, after hearing Text 7.27, whether anyone is, in fact, capable of overcoming illusion and
becoming a devotee.
BG 7.28: Qualifications of a devotee to perform determined devotional service:
 Acted piously in this and previous life - Thus ceasing to act according to desire and hate
 Sinful actions are completely eradicated
 Freedom from dualities of delusion
(a) The verse explains the eligibility to elevate to transcendental position
(b) For whom is it difficult to transcend the dualities of desire and hatred - For those who are sinful, atheistic,
foolish and deceitful
(c) Process of being situated on the spiritual platform: practice the regulative principles of religion
(d) Living entity can get liberation from bewilderment by devotional service or Kåñëa consciousness.
(e) Impersonalists lack the following knowledge: Greatest violation of God’s law is to forget ones position as
subordinate to Lord
BG 7.29: Describes another kind of devotee(a 4th kind of sakäma devotee), one with mixed intentions (Devotion is
mixed with desire of liberation from birth and death)
 One who, due to intelligence, desires freedom from old age and disease and take shelter of Kåñëa’s service
 Devotees are ‘Brahman’ - because: in devotional service, they are acting as Brahman because they know
everything about transcendental activities & they understand Kåñëa as Adibhüta, Adhidaiva and Adhiyajïa
(a) “Ahaà brahmäsmi” - refers to Brahman conception of life - stage of no birth, old age, disease and death
(b) Importance of“mäm äçritya” - only Kåñëa conscious person can be really called Brahman and can go to Supreme
planet, because
(c) Pure devotional service compared to other paths
 Four kinds of impure devotees - They achieve their respective goals and also gradually becomes fully Kåñëa
conscious
 Demigod worshipers - Never reach the Supreme Lord in His Supreme planet
 Less intelligent Brahman realized persons cannot reach the Supreme planet of Kåñëa
(d) Other categories who also know Brahman, Adibhütaetc., by the grace of the Lord: Worshipers of arca & yogis
BG 7.30: Result: Kåñëa conscious devotees can know Kåñëa at death and go to Him
 They are in full consciousness of Me and know Me as the: Supreme Lord &
 ‘Adibhüta’ - Governing principle of material manifestation
 ‘Adhidaiva’ -Governing principle of demigods
 ‘Adhiyajïa’ -Governing principle of all methods of sacrifice
Essence of Chapter 7
(a) Explains how to become fully Kåñëa conscious beginning with association of Kåñëa conscious persons
(b) Surety of Kåñëa conscious path- Person acting in Kåñëa consciousness are never deviated from path of entirely
understanding the SPOG
(c) Chapter 7 is the substance of the conviction that simply by hearing and glorifying Supreme Lord, all the
objectives will be fulfilled - this is called Dåòha-vratäù/ determined faith. This is the beginning of Bhakti-yoga