Knowledge and Wisdom - 07 - 02

The Shloka

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ज्ञानं तेऽहं सविज्ञानमिदं वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः ।

यज्ज्ञात्वा नेह भूयोऽन्यज्ज्ञातव्यमवशिष्यते ॥

———

jñānaṁ te’haṁ savijñānamidaṁ vakṣyāmyaśeṣataḥ ।

yajjñātvā neha bhūyo’nyajjñātavyamavaśiṣyate ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka is highly significant as it sets the stage for the profound teachings of Chapter 7, where Krishna elaborates on His divine nature, His material and spiritual energies, and how He is the source and sustainer of everything. It assures the seeker that the knowledge imparted by the Supreme Lord is ultimate and all-encompassing, providing a sense of completeness and liberation from the endless pursuit of lesser knowledge. It emphasizes that true knowledge is not merely intellectual understanding but also direct realization and experience. This verse builds trust and inspires Arjuna (and by extension, all spiritual aspirants) to listen attentively, as what follows is the key to ultimate liberation and understanding of the Divine.

I shall declare to you this knowledge, along with its practical realization, completely and without remainder, by knowing which nothing else remains to be known in this world.

Lord Krishna promises to reveal complete knowledge of Himself, including its experiential aspect, assuring that once this ultimate truth is known, there will be nothing further left to learn or understand in this existence.

Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that He will impart a profound and complete knowledge (jñānaṁ) accompanied by its practical, experiential understanding (vijñānam). This is not just theoretical wisdom but also the realization and application of that wisdom. Krishna emphasizes that He will explain this ‘completely’ (aśeṣataḥ), meaning in its entirety, leaving no part unsaid or unexplained. The significance of this knowledge is such that once a person truly grasps it and realizes it, there will be nothing else left in this existence that they would need or desire to know. It signifies the ultimate, self-sufficient knowledge that brings complete understanding and spiritual fulfillment, transcending all other forms of worldly or empirical knowledge. This promise highlights the supremacy and all-encompassing nature of the knowledge Krishna is about to reveal, indicating that it is the ultimate truth which brings an end to all inquiries and quests for understanding.

Sentence - 1

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ज्ञानं तेऽहं सविज्ञानमिदं वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः ।

———

Meaning

I shall declare to you this knowledge, along with its practical realization, completely and without remainder.

Meaning of Words

ज्ञानं

jñānaṁ

Spiritual knowledge or theoretical understanding, often referring to philosophical or scriptural wisdom about the Absolute Truth; the comprehensive understanding of fundamental principles.

ते

te

to you

Addressed to Arjuna, the singular form indicating a personal and direct instruction from Krishna to His dear devotee, signifying a sacred transmission of knowledge.

अहं

ahaṁ

I

Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, referring to Himself as the speaker and the divine source of this ultimate knowledge, emphasizing its authority.

सविज्ञानम्

savijñānam

with realization / along with specific knowledge

‘Sa’ means ‘with’, and ‘vijñānam’ refers to practical, empirical, or realized knowledge; the direct experience and application of the theoretical knowledge (jñānaṁ). It implies knowing something scientifically or with deep understanding based on direct perception and experience, not just theory.

इदं

idaṁ

this

Referring to the profound knowledge, encompassing both theoretical (jñānaṁ) and practical (vijñānam) aspects, which Krishna is about to reveal to Arjuna.

वक्ष्यामि

vakṣyāmi

I shall declare / I shall explain

A firm promise from Lord Krishna, using the future tense, indicating His resolute intention to impart this complete and essential truth to Arjuna, ensuring nothing is withheld.

अशेषतः

aśeṣataḥ

completely / without remainder / in its entirety

Signifies that the explanation will be exhaustive and comprehensive, leaving no aspect of the knowledge untold, unaddressed, or incomplete. ‘A’ (not) + ‘śeṣa’ (remainder).

Sentence - 2

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यज्ज्ञात्वा नेह भूयोऽन्यज्ज्ञातव्यमवशिष्यते ॥

———

Meaning

By knowing which, nothing else remains to be known in this world.

Meaning of Words

यत्

yat

which / by knowing which

Refers to the complete knowledge (jñānaṁ savijñānam) that has been promised by Krishna. It acts as a connector, linking the state of ultimate understanding to the preceding statement about the knowledge imparted.

ज्ञात्वा

jñātvā

having known / by knowing

A gerund, indicating the action of fully comprehending or realizing this knowledge. It emphasizes that the profound result follows directly from the acquisition and assimilation of this wisdom.

na

not

इह

iha

here / in this world / in this life

Refers to the current realm of existence, including this human life and the material world. It emphasizes that the completeness of knowledge applies within this earthly experience, removing all worldly doubts.

भूयः

bhūyaḥ

further / again / more

Indicates that no additional knowledge, information, or understanding will be required or sought after the acquisition of the ultimate truth, signifying an end to the quest for learning.

अन्यत्

anyat

anything else

Refers to any other subject, concept, or truth that one might typically strive to understand or learn in the material world. It covers all other forms of knowledge or wisdom.

ज्ञातव्यम्

jñātavyam

to be known / that which is to be known

Implies an object of knowledge or a subject that requires understanding. Here, it denotes any remaining item on a spiritual or intellectual quest that would ordinarily demand attention.

अवशिष्यते

avaśiṣyate

remains / is left over

Signifies that after attaining this ultimate knowledge, there will be no lingering curiosity, unfulfilled intellectual pursuit, or incomplete understanding. It implies complete intellectual and spiritual satisfaction.