The story · At the Rājasūya the same Lord is honoured by Bhīṣma and insulted by Śiśupāla.
What the verses say · Kṛṣṇa says there is no truth superior to Him, yet those with little knowledge do not know His imperishable, supreme nature.
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Chapter7
Jñāna-vijñāna-yoga · 30 verses
Knowledge of the Absolute
Knowing Kṛṣṇa as supreme and overcoming illusion through surrender to Him.
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Verse notes
Every verse in simple words, from Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Tap a verse to study it in depth.
BG 7.1Knowing Kṛṣṇa Through Hearing
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa says that practicing yoga with the mind attached to Him, fully conscious of Him, lets us know Him fully, without doubt.
- Prabhupāda explains that focusing the mind on Kṛṣṇa is the highest yoga. Only by hearing from Kṛṣṇa or His devotee can we truly understand Him.
- Hear regularly from Kṛṣṇa through the Bhagavad-gītā and from His pure devotees to grow steady in devotional service.
BG 7.2Knowing the Source
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa promises to explain material and spiritual knowledge fully. Knowing this, nothing further remains to be known.
- Complete knowledge includes the world, spirit, and their source. Only the Lord’s devotees in disciplic succession can receive this knowledge from Him.
- Seek to know the Lord as the source of all knowledge and the focus of meditation in all yoga practice.
BG 7.3Knowing Kṛṣṇa in Truth
Study this verse- Among thousands, one may seek perfection; even among those who achieve it, hardly one knows Kṛṣṇa in truth.
- Prabhupāda explains that only devotees can truly know Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Person; scholarship alone is not enough.
- Practice loving devotional service according to the scriptures, for Kṛṣṇa reveals Himself to His devotees.
BG 7.4Kṛṣṇa’s Eight Material Energies
Study this verse- Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego are Kṛṣṇa’s eight separated material energies.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is the original cause of the material world, and His three Viṣṇu expansions direct its activities.
- Recognize material nature as Kṛṣṇa’s energy, rather than seeing yourself as its controller and enjoyer.
BG 7.5Kṛṣṇa’s Superior Energy
Study this verse- Living beings are Kṛṣṇa’s superior energy and use the resources of His inferior, material energy.
- Prabhupāda explains that living beings are always under Kṛṣṇa’s control and are never equal to Him in power.
- Recognize your dependence on Kṛṣṇa and surrender to His control; this surrender brings happiness and real liberation.
BG 7.6Kṛṣṇa Is the Original Cause
Study this verse- All created beings come from the two natures. Kṛṣṇa is the origin and dissolution of everything material and spiritual.
- Prabhupāda explains that matter depends on spirit. Both are the Lord’s energies, so Kṛṣṇa is the original cause of everything.
- Recognize Kṛṣṇa as the source of both the individual soul and the Supersoul.
BG 7.7Kṛṣṇa Is the Supreme Truth
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa says no truth is higher than Him. Everything rests on Him like pearls on a thread.
- Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme Truth is a person—Kṛṣṇa, whose eternal form is full of bliss and knowledge.
- Remember that everything depends on Kṛṣṇa, who is present everywhere through His material and spiritual energies.
BG 7.8Recognizing Kṛṣṇa Through His Energies
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa is the taste of water, sunlight and moonlight, oṁ in Vedic mantras, sound in ether, and human ability.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa remains in His eternal abode while His energies are present everywhere.
- When drinking water, recognize its pure taste as Kṛṣṇa’s energy and thank Him for quenching your thirst.
BG 7.9Kṛṣṇa in Everyday Life
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa is earth’s original fragrance, fire’s heat, the life of all living beings, and the penances of ascetics.
- Prabhupāda explains that all material elements and the length of our lives depend on Kṛṣṇa.
- When you notice fragrance or feel heat, remember Kṛṣṇa as their source.
BG 7.10Kṛṣṇa, the Root of Everything
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa is the original seed of all existence, the intelligence of the intelligent, and the power of the powerful.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Person, who maintains everything as a root maintains a tree.
- When you notice intelligence or power, remember Kṛṣṇa as its source.
BG 7.11Strength and Religious Principles
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa is strength free from passion and desire, and sex life that follows religious principles.
- Prabhupāda explains that sex life is only for having children, whom parents must raise to be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
- Use your strength to protect the weak, not for personal aggression.
BG 7.12Kṛṣṇa Is Beyond Material Nature
Study this verse- Goodness, passion and ignorance come from Kṛṣṇa’s energy, but He remains independent of them.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is nirguṇa: the material modes come from Him but do not affect Him.
- Remember that Kṛṣṇa is not controlled by the material nature that comes from Him.
BG 7.13Kṛṣṇa Is Beyond the Modes
Study this verse- The world is bewildered by goodness, passion and ignorance, so it does not know Kṛṣṇa, who is above these modes and never diminished.
- Prabhupāda explains that the modes make us identify with temporary bodies and labels, forgetting Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Seek to become firmly established in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which is beyond all three modes and brings true liberation.
BG 7.14Freedom Through Surrender
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa’s divine material energy has three modes and is hard to overcome, but those who surrender to Him can easily cross beyond it.
- Prabhupāda explains that we cannot free ourselves from material bondage. Only Kṛṣṇa or His genuine representative, the spiritual master, can release us.
- Practice devotional service and surrender to Kṛṣṇa, relying on His mercy to become free from material nature.
BG 7.15Why Some Do Not Surrender
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa says the grossly foolish, the lowest among people, those whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and those with a demonic, atheistic nature do not surrender to Him.
- Prabhupāda explains that even intelligent people misuse their intelligence when they oppose the Supreme Lord’s plan.
- Make time to hear about Kṛṣṇa from proper sources and revive your eternal relationship with Him.
BG 7.16Four Kinds of Devotees
Study this verse- Four kinds of pious people begin serving the Lord: the distressed, those seeking wealth, the curious, and those seeking knowledge of the Absolute Truth.
- Prabhupāda explains that they still seek something in return. Pure devotion means lovingly serving Kṛṣṇa without desire for material gain.
- Associate with pure devotees and learn to serve the Lord without material desires.
BG 7.17Knowledge and Pure Devotion
Study this verse- The best devotee has full knowledge and always serves the Lord with pure devotion. The Lord and this devotee are very dear to each other.
- Prabhupāda explains that a fully purified person understands that he is God’s eternal servant, different from his material body.
- Associate with pure devotees to become free from material desires and develop pure devotion.
BG 7.18Dear to the Lord
Study this verse- All these devotees are great souls, but the Lord considers one who knows Him like His own self. Through service, this devotee surely attains Him, the highest goal.
- Prabhupāda explains that all devotees are dear to the Lord, but one whose only purpose is loving service is especially dear to Him.
- Try to serve the Lord with love and devotion, rather than seeking material benefits.
BG 7.19Knowledge Leads to Surrender
Study this verse- After many births and deaths, one with true knowledge surrenders to Kṛṣṇa, knowing Him as the cause of all causes. Such a great soul is very rare.
- Prabhupāda explains that spiritual progress leads to devotional service and full surrender, as one sees everything in relation to Kṛṣṇa.
- Practice seeing everything in relation to Kṛṣṇa, and make devotional service to Him your goal.
BG 7.20Depend on the Supreme Lord
Study this verse- Material desires steal intelligence, leading people to worship demigods by rules suited to their own natures.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is the master of all. Even those with material desires become free from them by approaching Him.
- Worship and depend on Kṛṣṇa, and be satisfied with whatever He gives.
BG 7.21Faith and the Supreme Lord
Study this verse- As the Supersoul in everyone’s heart, Kṛṣṇa steadies a person’s faith in the demigod they wish to worship.
- Prabhupāda explains that the Lord allows people to pursue material desires, but both worshipers and demigods depend on His will.
- Follow the Lord’s ultimate instruction: give up all other engagements and fully surrender to Him. This brings happiness.
BG 7.22All Benefits Come from Krishna
Study this verse- With faith, a person worships a demigod and obtains desired benefits, but Krishna alone bestows them.
- Prabhupāda explains that demigods need the Supreme Lord’s permission to give blessings. Pure devotion is spiritual, not a search for material gain.
- Pray only to the Supreme Lord, and remember that material desires hinder returning to Godhead.
BG 7.23Different Worship, Different Destinations
Study this verse- Demigod worship gives limited, temporary results and leads to their planets. The Supreme Lord’s devotees reach His supreme planet.
- Prabhupāda explains that demigods are parts of the Supreme Lord, not separate rivals. Worshiping them does not lead to the same destination as devotion to Him.
- Serve the Supreme Lord with pure devotion rather than seek temporary rewards. His pure devotees attain eternal, blissful life full of knowledge.
BG 7.24Kṛṣṇa Is Eternally Personal
Study this verse- Those with little knowledge think Kṛṣṇa was once impersonal and later took a personal form. They do not know His eternal, supreme nature.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is known through devotional service and His mercy, not through study or speculation alone.
- Begin developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and serving Him with devotion.
BG 7.25Revealed to His Devotees
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa is hidden from the foolish by His internal power. They do not know that He is unborn and infallible.
- Prabhupāda explains that seeing Kṛṣṇa did not mean knowing Him as the Supreme Lord. He revealed Himself to His pure devotees.
- Pray for Kṛṣṇa to remove His covering so you can see His eternal form of bliss and knowledge.
BG 7.26Kṛṣṇa Knows Everything
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa knows the past, present, future, and all living beings, but no one knows Him.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa’s body is not material or perishable. He knows every living being as the Supersoul in each heart.
- To understand Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Person, we need Kṛṣṇa consciousness; impersonal realization alone is not enough.
BG 7.27Desire, Hate, and Delusion
Study this verse- All living beings are born deluded, confused by opposites arising from desire and hate.
- Our true position is under the Supreme Lord, but illusion prevents us from understanding Him.
- Pure devotees, free from desire and hate, understand that Kṛṣṇa appears through His own internal powers.
BG 7.28Serving Kṛṣṇa with Determination
Study this verse- Those who acted piously in past lives and this life, and whose sins are fully removed, become free from delusion and serve Kṛṣṇa with determination.
- Prabhupāda explains that pure devotees help us overcome desire and hate and understand our position as servants of the Supreme Lord.
- Seek the company of pure devotees and serve them to grow in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
BG 7.29Freedom Through Devotional Service
Study this verse- Intelligent people seeking freedom from old age and death take shelter of Kṛṣṇa through devotional service. They are Brahman and fully understand spiritual activities.
- Prabhupāda explains that real liberation means attaining a spiritual body, becoming the Lord’s associate, and serving Him eternally.
- Take shelter of Kṛṣṇa through devotional service, understanding that you are a spirit soul, not the material body.
BG 7.30Knowing Kṛṣṇa at Death
Study this verse- Those fully conscious of Kṛṣṇa, knowing Him as the Supreme Lord governing the material world, demigods, and all sacrifices, can know Him even at death.
- Prabhupāda explains that spiritual association strengthens Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Such a person never forgets Kṛṣṇa at death and reaches His planet, Goloka Vṛndāvana.
- Use human life to grow in Kṛṣṇa consciousness: associate with His devotees, hear about Him, and glorify Him in devotional service.
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Stories
The Mahābhārata background, and stories Prabhupāda tells in his purports. Tap one to read it.