Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga
The Yoga of Knowledge and Wisdom - Krishna reveals his higher and lower natures, explaining how the entire universe is pervaded by him and how to attain liberation through knowing him fully.
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Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga - Knowledge and Wisdom
Krishna reveals the fullness of his divine nature. He speaks of his two prakritis (natures): the lower, which is the material world of eightfold creation, and the higher, which is the conscious self that sustains the universe.
The Two Natures
“My lower nature consists of eightfold division: earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect, and ego. My higher nature is the life-principle that sustains the universe.”
Krishna teaches that he is the source of all creation and the ground of all existence. Everything that exists - from the highest gods to the smallest creature - is pervaded by him.
The Three Gunas
The world is deluded by the three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) and does not recognize Krishna as the supreme reality. Only those who have gone beyond the gunas, who have taken refuge in him, can know him fully.
The Four Types of Devotees
Krishna describes four types of people who seek him:
- The distressed (arta) - who turn to God in suffering
- The seeker of knowledge (jijnasu)
- The seeker of worldly gain (artharthi)
- The wise (jnani) - who know God already
Of these, the wise one who is constant in devotion is the highest. The wise one is the very Self of Krishna.
Key Verses
Verse 5: Besides this lower nature, O Arjuna, know my higher nature - the life-principle which sustains the universe.
Verse 17: Among them, the wise one, who is ever united with me and whose devotion is single-pointed, is the best. I am exceedingly dear to the wise, and the wise are dear to me.
Verse 27: The delusion of duality arises from desire and aversion, O Arjuna. All beings in the world are deluded by these.