Chapter 7, Verse 1 (Bhagavad Gita 7.1)
Chapter 7: Jñāna Vijñāna Yog – Self-Knowledge and Enlightenment
Sanskrit Shloka
श्री भगवानुवाच मय्यासक्तमनाः पार्थ योगं युञ्जन्मदाश्रयः। असंशयं समग्रं मां यथा ज्ञास्यसि तच्छृणु
Transliteration
śhrī bhagavān uvācha mayyāsakta-manāḥ pārtha yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśhrayaḥ asanśhayaṁ samagraṁ māṁ yathā jñāsyasi tach chhṛiṇu
Word Meanings
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha—the Supreme Lord said; mayi—to me; āsakta-manāḥ—with the mind attached; pārtha—Arjun, the son of Pritha; yogam—bhakti yog; yuñjan—practicing; mat-āśhrayaḥ—surrendering to me; asanśhayam—free from doubt; samagram—completely; mām—me; yathā—how; jñāsyasi—you shall know; tat—that; śhṛiṇu—listen
Translation
The Blessed Lord Krishna said: O Arjuna, hear how, with your mind intent on Me, practicing Yoga and taking refuge in Me, you shall know Me fully and without any doubt.
Meaning & Commentary
In this opening verse of the seventh chapter, Lord Krishna invites Arjuna into the realm of 'Jnana-Vijnana Yoga,' the knowledge of the Divine in both its essence and manifestation. Krishna explains that true spiritual realization is not merely intellectual study but a state of consciousness achieved by anchoring the mind solely in Him. By practicing Yoga and taking complete refuge in Krishna, the seeker dissolves the ego, allowing for the direct, experiential knowing of the Supreme. This teaching underscores that when our life is surrendered to Krishna, the darkness of ignorance is dispelled, and we begin to perceive the interconnectedness of the cosmos through the lens of His divinity.