Chapter Overview
Chapter 7 marks a significant shift. Krishna begins to reveal His divine nature more directly. He explains His two natures (para and apara prakriti), how He pervades all existence, and why most people remain unaware of Him. The chapter introduces the concept of maya (illusion) and describes four types of people who approach the Divine.
This is intimate knowledge - Krishna says only one among thousands seeks perfection, and among those who seek, hardly one knows Him in truth. This rare knowledge is what He now shares with Arjuna.
Key Themes
- Two Natures: Lower nature (matter) and higher nature (consciousness/jiva)
- God as Source: Everything emanates from Krishna like pearls on a thread
- Maya: The divine illusion that veils spiritual knowledge
- Four Types of Devotees: The distressed, seeker of wealth, curious, and wise
- Worship of Demigods: Why people worship various gods and what they receive
Key Verses to Study
bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva cha
"Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence, and false ego—these eight constitute My separated material energies. Besides this inferior nature, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is another, superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities who are exploiting the resources of this material, inferior nature."
The two prakriti: apara (lower/material) and para (higher/spiritual/conscious).
mattah parataram nanyat kinchid asti dhananjaya
"O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread."
A beautiful image: all reality is connected and supported by the Divine, like jewels on a necklace.
daivi hy esha guna-mayi mama maya duratyaya
"This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it."
Maya belongs to God and is very powerful; only surrender allows one to transcend it.
chatur-vidha bhajante mam janah sukritino 'rjuna
"O best among the Bharatas, four kinds of pious men begin to render devotional service unto Me—the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute."
All four are pious (sukritina), but they approach God with different motivations.
bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate
"After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare."
The culmination of spiritual evolution: realizing "Vasudeva is everything" (vasudevah sarvam iti).
raso 'ham apsu kaunteya prabhasmi shashi-suryayoh
"O son of Kunti, I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable Om in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and ability in man. I am the original fragrance of the earth, and I am the heat in fire..."
Krishna describes how to perceive Him in everyday experiences - a foundation for devotional awareness.
The Four Types of Devotees (7.16-18)
Krishna describes four types of pious people who turn to Him:
- Arta (आर्त) - The Distressed: Those in suffering or danger who turn to God for relief. Prayer often begins here - "God, help me!"
- Artharthi (अर्थार्थी) - The Wealth-Seeker: Those who desire material success, prosperity, or power. They pray for worldly goals.
- Jijnasu (जिज्ञासु) - The Curious: Those who seek to understand truth, explore spirituality, and satisfy intellectual curiosity about existence.
- Jnani (ज्ञानी) - The Wise: Those who seek God for God's own sake, not for any material benefit. They know Krishna as everything.
All four are called sukritina (virtuous), as turning to God for any reason is meritorious. But Krishna says the jnani is "very dear" to Him (7.17-18), because such a person loves God unconditionally, as the Self loves the Self.
Understanding Maya (7.13-15)
Krishna explains why most beings don't know Him:
- Veiled by the three gunas (7.13): Sattva, rajas, and tamas constantly agitate the mind
- Maya is divine (7.14): It belongs to God and is very difficult to transcend
- Surrender crosses maya: Those who take refuge in Krishna easily transcend it
- The wicked don't surrender (7.15): Four types: foolish, lowest of mankind, knowledge stolen by illusion, and demoniac
The key insight: maya is not an enemy to be fought, but a divine power. The solution is not battle but surrender. This sets the stage for bhakti (devotion) as the supreme path.