VII - Self-Knowledge and Enlightenment

Lord Krishna said: O Arjuna, listen to how you shall know Me fully without any doubt, with your mind absorbed in Me, taking refuge in Me, and trying to reach Me. (7.01)

Material Nature or matter is My lower energy. My other higher energy is the Spirit by which this entire universe is sustained, O Arjuna. (7.05) Know that all creatures have evolved from this twofold energy; and the Supreme Spirit is the source of origin as well as dissolution of the entire universe. (7.06) There is nothing higher than the Supreme Being, O Arjuna. Everything in the universe is strung on the Supreme Being, like jewels strung on a necklace. (7.07)

Know that three modes of Material Nature --- goodness, passion, and ignorance --- also emanate from Me. I am not dependent on, or affected by, the modes of Material Nature; but the modes of Material Nature are dependent on Me. (7.12) Human beings are deluded by various aspects of these three modes of Material Nature; therefore, they do not understand Me, I am eternal and above these modes. (7.13)

This divine power (Maya) of Mine, consisting of three states of mind or matter, is very difficult to overcome. Only those who surrender unto Me easily, cross over this Maya. (7.14) Four types of virtuous ones worship or seek Me, O Arjuna. They are:

• the distressed,
• the seeker of Self-knowledge,
• the seeker of wealth,
• the enlightened one who has experienced the Supreme Being. (7.16)

The wise surrender to Me by realizing --- after many births --- that everything in the universe and the world is nothing but My manifestation. Such a great soul is very rare. (7.19)

Whosoever desires to worship whatever deity --- using whatever name, form, and method --- with faith, I make their faith steady in that deity. Endowed with steady faith they worship that deity, and obtain their wishes through that deity. Those wishes are granted by Me. (7.22)

Abbreviated By Harry Bhalla.
The numbers in parentheses are the chapter numbers and verse numbers respectively, of the Bhagavad-Gita. If any of this interests you, please visit: www.gita-society.com OR www.gita4free.com

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