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Chapter 7 · Knowledge of the Absolute · 30 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Nature & guṇasChapter 7 · Knowledge of the Absolute
7.47.6

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 7.5

Material and superior spiritual energies

Jīva · The soul

अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम् ।

जीवभूतां महाबाहो ययेदं धार्यते जगत् ॥ ५ ॥

apareyam itas tv anyāṁ

prakṛtiṁ viddhi me parām

jīva-bhūtāṁ mahā-bāho

yayedaṁ dhāryate jagat

Translation

Besides these, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is another, superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities who are exploiting the resources of this material, inferior nature.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Kṛṣṇa’s Superior Energy

  1. 1

    Living beings are Kṛṣṇa’s superior energy and use the resources of His inferior, material energy.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that living beings are always under Kṛṣṇa’s control and are never equal to Him in power.

  3. 3

    Recognize your dependence on Kṛṣṇa and surrender to His control; this surrender brings happiness and real liberation.

Key points from the purport

“Living entity” discussed as the superior energy

a

The Living entity belongs to the superior nature/energy of the Lord — Because

They are exploiting the resources of material inferior nature for different purposes

Quality of their existence is one and the same with the Supreme Lord but not in the quantity of power (Ref. Chapter 2 explains that the living entity is spiritual)

b

Material nature is the inferior energy — It is manifested as 5 gross and 3 subtle elements

FOCUS OF LEARNING — PURPORT 7.5 continued…

c

Preaching application — God and Jiva are never equal, Because

Jiva being the energy is always under the control of energetic and has no independent existence

Jiva tends to get influenced by matter, while God never gets so

Supporting Ref. SB 10.87.30: Acknowledges living entities as the minute energies of the Lord

d

Cosmic manifestation works only because of superior energy, living entity — proves that living entity is superior to matter and equal in quality to the Lord

Tends to come under the influence of matter – This is the cause of forgetting the spiritual mind and intelligence

e

Real liberation (Mukti) — involves:

Surrender by living entity to God’s control

This is the path to real happiness

Only then can they be controllers

To be free from influence of illusory material energy

Free from false ego (“I and mine”) and all material conceptions, even conception of being one with God

f

Conclusion — Bhagavad-gita confirms living entity to be one of the multi energies of Krishna

Further reading

Knowing Krishna’s Material And Spiritual Energies

Krishna is the source of both matter and spirit

Can be seen in the world when we view all existence as a combination of Krishna’s material and spiritual energies. He is also the active essence of everything

Although Krishna is not under His energies, the three modes, all else in material existence is manifested by combination of goodness, passion and ignorance

Chapter 7, section II: Knowing Krishna’s Material And Spiritual Energies
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. aparāinferior
  2. iyamthis
  3. itaḥbesides this
  4. tubut
  5. anyāmanother
  6. prakṛtimenergy
  7. viddhijust try to understand
  8. meMy
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 7.5 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 7.4Material and superior spiritual energiesBG 7.6Material and superior spiritual energies
Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Energy, Not His EqualOne practice from this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
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