Chapter 7, Verse 13 (Bhagavad Gita 7.13)
Chapter 7: Jñāna Vijñāna Yog – Self-Knowledge and Enlightenment
Sanskrit Shloka
त्रिभिर्गुणमयैर्भावैरेभिः सर्वमिदं जगत्। मोहितं नाभिजानाति मामेभ्यः परमव्ययम्
Transliteration
tribhir guṇa-mayair bhāvair ebhiḥ sarvam idaṁ jagat mohitaṁ nābhijānāti māmebhyaḥ param avyayam
Word Meanings
tribhiḥ—by three; guṇa-mayaiḥ—consisting of the modes of material nature; bhāvaiḥ—states; ebhiḥ—all these; sarvam—whole; idam—this; jagat—universe; mohitam—deluded; na—not; abhijānāti—know; mām—me; ebhyaḥ—these; param—the supreme; avyayam—imperishable
Translation
Deluded by these three modes of nature (gunas), the entire world fails to recognize Me, who am beyond these modes and immutable.
Meaning & Commentary
In this verse, Lord Krishna explains the primary cause of human ignorance: our entanglement in the three gunas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. These qualities act as a veil, causing the soul to identify only with the temporary material world rather than the eternal truth. Lord Krishna reveals that He exists far beyond this fluctuating material manifestation, remaining immutable and supreme. By realizing that our true self is distinct from these material influences, we begin the journey toward liberation. This teaching invites us to look past our shifting emotions and desires to perceive the unchanging presence of Lord Krishna within all things.