Changes

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Sri Krishna in this chapter discusses about complete union with the Supreme being which is difficult to attain. He says, first of all, among many thousands of human beings, very few aspire for this union, and even among those who aspire for it, few reach the highest stage of realisation.

Sri Krishna in this chapter, discusses about complete union with the Supreme being which is difficult to attain. He says, first of all, among many thousands of human beings, very few aspire for this union, and even among those who aspire for it, few reach the highest stage of realisation.<ref name=":0">Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAGAVAD-GITA-By-SRI-SWAMI-SIVANANDA.pdf Bhagavad Gita], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society, The Yoga of Wisdom and Realisation </ref>

Sri Krishna tells Arjuna that the supreme Godhead has to be realised in both its transcendent and immanent aspects. The Yogi who has reached this summit has nothing more to know.<ref>Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAGAVAD-GITA-By-SRI-SWAMI-SIVANANDA.pdf Bhagavad Gita], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society, The Yoga of Wisdom and Realisation </ref>

It is said that, the supreme reality has to be realised in both its transcendent as well as immanent aspects. The previous chapters have already described the all-pervading static and infinite state of the Supreme being. Now, this chapter proceeds to explain the Universe as the manifestation of the Supreme reality. These manifestations are referred to as the supreme being's lower and higher Prakrtis. The lower Prakrti is made up of the five elements, mind, ego and intellect while the higher Prakrti is the life force that upholds the universe that activates it, causes its appearance and its final dissolution. Sri Krishna says, a Yogi who has reached the summit of realising the ultimate reality in both these (ie. saguna and nirguna) forms has nothing more to know.

== अध्यायसारः ॥ Summary of the Seventh Chapter ==

Sri Krishna also explains that whatever exists is nothing but Himself. He is the cause of both the manifestation of the universe as also the things within it. Just like gems are strung to a string, all things hold on to him. For, He is the substratum of everything. So is He the essence and the substance itself, whether visible or invisible. At the same time, He transcends everything. For, although everything is in Him, He himself is actionless. Prakrti which is Trigunatmika - made up of three gunas namely, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, deludes the soul and makes it forget that its true nature is being one with the Supreme. This delusion, termed as Maya, can only be removed by the Grace of the Supreme being.

The previous chapters have already described the all-pervading static and infinite state of the Supreme being. This chapter proceeds to explain the Universe as the manifestation of the Supreme reality. He speaks of these manifestations as His lower and higher Prakritis. The lower Prakriti is made up of the five elements, mind, ego and intellect. The higher Prakriti is the life-element which upholds the universe, activates it and causes its appearance and final dissolution.

Krishna says that whatever exists is nothing but Himself. He is the cause of the appearance of the universe and all things in it. Everything is strung on Him like clusters of gems on a string. He is the essence, substance and substratum of everything, whether visible or invisible. Although everything is in Him, yet He transcends everything as the actionless Self. Prakriti or Nature is made up of the three Gunas or qualities—Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas. These three qualities delude the soul and make it forget its true nature, which is one with God. This delusion, termed Maya, can only be removed by the Grace of the Lord Himself.

It is enumerated further that there are different forms of devotion. One is that which leads to union with the Supreme reality in His static as also with His dynamic Prakriti which has been explained thus far. But, there are also others that are inferior on account of being performed with various motives.  

Thus far Arjuna has been taught the highest form of devotion, which leads to union with God in His static aspect as also with His dynamic Prakriti. Krishna tells him that there are also other forms of devotion which are inferior as they are performed with various motives. The distressed, the seeker of divine wisdom, and he who desires wealth, worship Him, as also the wise. Of these the Lord deems the wise as dearest to Him. Such a devotee loves the Lord for the sake of pure love alone. Whatever form the devotee worships, the ultimate goal is the Lord Himself. The Lord accepts such worship, knowing that it is directed to Him only.

Just as there are different forms of devotion so are there different people in the path of worship. Those who are distressed, seek divine wisdom, desire wealth; all of them worship Him. So do the wise too. However, of these, the Supreme being deems the wise as dearest to Him. Because a wise person loves the Lord for the sake of pure love alone. Whatever may be the form he worships, the ultimate goal is attaining the Lord Himself. Such is the worship acceptable to Lord. For, it is directed only towards Him.<ref name=":0" />

[[Category:Bhagavad Gita]]

[[Category:Bhagavad Gita]]

[[Category:Prasthana Trayi]]

[[Category:Prasthana Trayi]]