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Chapter 7 · Knowledge of the Absolute · 30 verses

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Nature & guṇasChapter 7 · Knowledge of the Absolute
7.127.14

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 7.13

The guṇas, illusion and divine energy

त्रिभिर्गुणमयैर्भावैरेभि: सर्वमिदं जगत् ।

मोहितं नाभिजानाति मामेभ्य: परमव्ययम् ॥ १३ ॥

tribhir guṇa-mayair bhāvair

ebhiḥ sarvam idaṁ jagat

mohitaṁ nābhijānāti

mām ebhyaḥ param avyayam

Translation

Deluded by the three modes [goodness, passion and ignorance], the whole world does not know Me, who am above the modes and inexhaustible.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Kṛṣṇa Is Beyond the Modes

  1. 1The world is bewildered by goodness, passion and ignorance, so it does not know Kṛṣṇa, who is above these modes and never diminished.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that the modes make us identify with temporary bodies and labels, forgetting Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  3. 3Seek to become firmly established in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which is beyond all three modes and brings true liberation.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 7, Knowledge of the Absolute: the guṇas, illusion and divine energy.

What it teaches

Theme summary

The modes of nature condition behavior.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 7.13 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 7 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 7.12The guṇas, illusion and divine energyBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.