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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
7.57.7

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 7.6

Material and superior spiritual energies

Īśvara · God

एतद्योनीनि भूतानि सर्वाणीत्युपधारय ।

अहं कृत्स्नस्य जगत: प्रभव: प्रलयस्तथा ॥ ६ ॥

etad-yonīni bhūtāni

sarvāṇīty upadhāraya

ahaṁ kṛtsnasya jagataḥ

prabhavaḥ pralayas tathā

Translation

All created beings have their source in these two natures. Of all that is material and all that is spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both the origin and the dissolution.

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 Is the Original Cause

  1. 1

    All created beings come from the two natures. Kṛṣṇa is the origin and dissolution of everything material and spiritual.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that matter depends on spirit. Both are the Lord’s energies, so Kṛṣṇa is the original cause of everything.

  3. 3

    Recognize Kṛṣṇa as the source of both the individual soul and the Supersoul.

Key points from the purport

These notes cover verses 7.4–7

Knowledge of the Absolute

Science of God analyzes the constitutional position of the God and His different energies, broadly the living entity and the material nature. That analysis is done here.

‘Prakriti’ (7.4)

‘Jiva’ (7.5)

‘Ishvara’ (7.6 – 7.7)

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. etatthese two natures
  2. yonīniwhose source of birth
  3. bhūtānieverything created
  4. sarvāṇiall
  5. itithus
  6. upadhārayaknow
  7. ahamI
  8. kṛtsnasyaall-inclusive
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 7.6 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 7.5Material and superior spiritual energies
Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Energy, Not His EqualA practice from BG 7.5, close to 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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