Knowledge and Wisdom - 07 - 01

The Shloka

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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

मय्यासक्तमनाः पार्थ योगं युञ्जन्मदाश्रयः ।

असंशयं समग्रं मां यथा ज्ञास्यसि तच्छृणु ॥

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Śrī-bhagavān uvāca ।

Mayy āsakta-manāḥ pārtha yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ ।

Asaṁśayaṁ samagraṁ māṁ yathā jñāsyasi tac chṛṇu ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka marks the profound beginning of Krishna’s direct teaching on how to truly know Him, the Supreme Being, in His entirety. It emphasizes the importance of a mind fully absorbed in Him (mayy āsakta-manāḥ), the practice of yoga (primarily devotional service) with Him as the sole object (mad-āśrayaḥ), and the promise that through this method, one can attain complete and undoubted knowledge of the Divine. It sets the stage for the subsequent verses that delve deeper into Krishna’s opulences and energies, establishing the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of the Absolute Truth.

The Supreme Lord said: Now hear, O son of Pṛthā, how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with your mind attached to Me, and taking full shelter in Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt.

Lord Krishna initiates a crucial discourse by instructing Arjuna to listen attentively to the process by which one can understand God completely and without any doubt. This process involves three key elements: fixing one’s mind entirely on Krishna, engaging in the practice of yoga (devotional service) directed towards Him, and taking complete and exclusive shelter in Him.

In this pivotal opening verse of the Seventh Chapter, Lord Krishna, referred to as Śrī-bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, addresses Arjuna, calling him Pārtha (Pṛthā’s son), indicating a personal and affectionate relationship. He invites Arjuna to listen attentively (tac chṛṇu) to the method (yathā) by which Arjuna can come to know Him (māṁ) completely (samagraṁ) and without any doubt (asaṁśayaṁ). The core of this method involves three key principles: first, having one’s mind constantly attached and absorbed in Krishna (mayy āsakta-manāḥ); second, engaging in the practice of yoga (yogaṁ yuñjan), which here primarily refers to Bhakti-yoga or devotional service, with an unwavering focus on the Supreme; and third, taking complete and exclusive shelter in Krishna (mad-āśrayaḥ). This verse highlights that perfect knowledge of the Absolute Truth is not achieved through mere intellectual speculation or ascetic practices alone, but through loving devotion and surrender to the Supreme Lord, who then reveals Himself to the sincere seeker. It is a promise that such a devotee will gain a comprehensive and certain understanding of God’s multifarious energies, opulences, and forms, thus eradicating all skepticism and confusion about the Divine.

Sentence - 1

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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

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Meaning

The Supreme Lord said.

Meaning of Words

श्रीभगवान्	Śrī-bhagavān
The Supreme Lord Śrī-bhagavān refers to Lord Krishna, who is acknowledged as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. ‘Śrī’ signifies opulence, beauty, glory, and all divine attributes, while ‘Bhagavān’ means one who possesses all six opulences in full: strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty, and renunciation. This title is specifically used for Krishna, indicating His supreme position as the origin of all.
उवाच	uvāca
said This is the past tense form of the verb ‘vac’ (to speak) or ‘to say.’ It indicates that the Supreme Lord began speaking, signaling the commencement of a significant discourse.

Sentence - 2

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मय्यासक्तमनाः पार्थ योगं युञ्जन्मदाश्रयः ।

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Meaning

O son of Pṛthā, with your mind attached to Me, practicing yoga, taking full shelter in Me.

Meaning of Words

मयि	Mayi
Refers to Lord Krishna Himself. It is the locative case of ‘aham’ (I), meaning ‘in Me’ or ‘on Me,’ indicating a state of being situated in or directed towards Him, implying a deep connection.
आसक्तमनाः	āsakta-manāḥ
with mind attached A compound word: ‘āsakta’ means attached, absorbed, devoted; ‘manāḥ’ comes from ‘manas’ meaning mind. So, it means one whose mind is completely attached, absorbed, or fixed on the object, which is Krishna in this context. It implies full mental engagement and dedication, ensuring that thoughts are always directed towards the Divine.
पार्थ	pārtha
O son of Pṛthā An address for Arjuna, meaning ‘son of Pṛthā.’ Pṛthā is another name for Kunti, Arjuna’s mother. Krishna frequently addresses Arjuna with various names, often to remind him of their relationship or to evoke a particular sentiment. ‘Pārtha’ emphasizes the close family bond and affection between Krishna and Arjuna, suggesting an intimate and confidential instruction is about to be imparted.
योगं	yogaṁ
yoga (devotional service) ‘Yoga’ generally means to connect or unite. In the context of the Bhagavad Gita, especially when Krishna is speaking about knowing Him, it primarily refers to Bhakti-yoga, the process of linking oneself with the Supreme Lord through love and devotion, or the disciplined practice of spiritual realization aimed at union with the Divine.
युञ्जन्	yuñjan
practicing, engaging The present participle of the verb ‘yuj’ (to join, to unite, to practice). Here it means ‘while practicing’ or ‘while engaging in’ yoga, indicating a continuous and active process of spiritual endeavor.
मदाश्रयः	mad-āśrayaḥ
taking shelter in Me A compound word: ‘mat’ (from ‘mad’) meaning ‘Me’ (Krishna); ‘āśrayaḥ’ meaning shelter, refuge, support. Thus, it signifies one who takes complete and exclusive shelter in Krishna, making Him the sole object of one’s reliance and devotion, fully depending on Him for protection and guidance in all aspects of life.

Sentence - 3

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असंशयं समग्रं मां यथा ज्ञास्यसि तच्छृणु ॥

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Meaning

how you shall know Me completely, without any doubt, hear that.

Meaning of Words

असंशयं	asaṁśayaṁ
without doubt ‘A’ is a negative prefix; ‘saṁśaya’ means doubt, uncertainty. So, ‘asaṁśayaṁ’ means unequivocally, without any doubt or uncertainty, implying a firm and complete conviction and clarity of understanding.
समग्रं	samagraṁ
completely, in full ‘Samagra’ means whole, entire, complete, comprehensive. It implies knowing Krishna in all His aspects, including His personal form, His various energies, His opulences, and His pastimes, not just partially or superficially but in a holistic sense.
मां	māṁ
The accusative case of ‘aham’ (I), referring to Lord Krishna Himself. It signifies the direct object of the action of knowing, i.e., ‘Me’ as the one to be fully understood, emphasizing the personal nature of the Divine.
यथा	yathā
how, in which way An adverb meaning ‘in the manner that,’ ‘as,’ or ‘how.’ It introduces the specific method or process that Krishna is about to describe, which will lead to the complete knowledge of Him, setting the stage for the upcoming instructions.
ज्ञास्यसि	jñāsyasi
you shall know The future tense, second person singular form of the verb ‘jñā’ (to know). It means ‘you (Arjuna) will know’ or ‘you shall come to know,’ indicating a certain and guaranteed outcome for the practitioner who follows the prescribed method.
तत्	tat
that (method/process) A demonstrative pronoun meaning ‘that.’ Here, it refers to the method or explanation that is about to follow, concerning how one can know Krishna. It acts as a reference to the instruction that will be provided, asking Arjuna to pay attention to ‘that’ particular teaching.
शृणु	śṛṇu
The imperative mood, second person singular form of the verb ‘śru’ (to hear). It is a direct command from Krishna to Arjuna, urging him to listen attentively and with devotion to the profound knowledge that is to be revealed, signifying the importance of receptive hearing in spiritual understanding.

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