Chapter 7 - The Path of Knowledge and Wisdom | गीता ज्ञान और विज्ञान मार्ग

Chapter 7 (30 verses) - Jnana Vijnana Yoga (The Path of Knowledge and Wisdom): The first 6 chapters were broadly concerned with descriptions of the methods and procedures (both external and internal) to acquire divine, spiritual knowledge. The next 6 chapters describe in more detail such divine, spiritual knowledge about the Lord Almighty, which forms the principle message of the Gita. In earlier chapters 2 – 6, there were some discussions on the Lord’s attributes which were included contextually, but the next 6 chapters provide more exclusive details about the Lord’ attributes. Chapter 7 provides a detailed discussion of the two types of knowledge – indirect (ordinary knowledge) and direct (special knowledge or wisdom). Indirect knowledge (jnana) is that knowledge that is gained from scriptural studies and through teachers. Direct knowledge (vijnana) is specialized knowledge about the Lord that one obtains after self-realization. The Lord describes His ownership of everything in the universe and stresses that He is responsible for even the intrinsic attributes of objects. The causes of ignorance, the influence of maya (delusion) on living beings, and procedures to overcome maya are also discussed. The various types of seekers who are devoted to the Lord are identified. This chapter ends with the Lord stating that one who has proper knowledge about Adhiyajna (Lord of Sacrifice) and Adhyatma (Prime Self), along with that of Adhibhoota (Prime Material) and Adhidaiva (Prime Deities), and who thinks of Him during the last moments will eventually reach Him Chapter Introduction: In this chapter of 30 verses, the Lord teaches the concepts of jnana (knowledge) and vijnana (special knowledge or wisdom). In verse 2.39, the Lord stated that He would teach about the yoga (way or path) to achieve divine, spiritual knowledge, knowing which one would be able to properly perform prescribed duties, get rid of accrued sins, and achieve liberation. Such procedures were described from chapters 2 to 6. The path described had two components, external and internal. The external component dealt with the procedures to be performed, and this was covered till chapter 5. Chapter 6 dealt with the internal procedure of dhyana meditation that a seeker needs to perform. Thus, the first 6 chapters were broadly concerned with descriptions of the methods and procedures (both external and internal) a seeker would need to perform to be able to acquire divine, spiritual knowledge. The next 6 chapters describe in more detail such divine, spiritual knowledge about the Lord Almighty, which forms the principal message of the Gita. In the earlier chapters 2 – 6, there were some discussions on the Lord’s attributes which were included contextually, but the next 6 chapters provide more, exclusive details about the Lord’s attributes. The term jnana in general means ordinary knowledge, which is acquired through the study of scriptures, learning from teachers etc. This is also known as paroksha jnana (indirect knowledge), as one acquires this before attaining self-realization. Vijnana is specialised knowledge or wisdom acquired after self-realization. This is also known as aparoksha jnana (direct knowledge). This chapter provides a detailed discussion of these two types of knowledge. The two types of knowledge are specifically about the Lord Almighty. The Lord said: O Partha! With your mind fully absorbed in Me, seeking refuge in Me, meditate on Me. Listen to Me to understand the way (yoga) you can extensively know Me, dispelling all the doubts. (7.1) Comments: The Lord starts His sermon to Arjuna about His attributes. To understand these, seekers would require their minds to be completely focused on the Lord with firm conviction that the Lord is the protector and shelter for all. The Lord uses the adjectives asamshayam (without doubt) and samagram (complete) in this verse. Sri Madhwacharya in his GB clarifies that these words cannot be interpreted to conclude that one can completely understand the Lord. Rather they refer to the knowledge that a seeker can acquire, meaning that by listening to the Lord’s teachings attentively, a seeker can understand the Lord’s attributes to the maximum extent (based on the seeker’s abilities). Even deities such as Rudra, Brahma etc., cannot completely comprehend the Lord’s attributes which are infinite. I will impart to you in full the spiritual knowledge (indirect knowledge – paroksha jnana) and wisdom (direct knowledge – aparoksha jnana) about Me knowing which there will be nothing else to know. (7.2) Comments: The Lord states the two types of knowledge that He would be imparting. Jnana refers to ordinary or indirect knowledge (paroksha jnana) which one normally acquires through studies of scriptures, learning from teachers etc. Vijnana = vishesha jnana refers to specialized knowledge which refers to the direct knowledge (aparoksha jnana) that one would acquire after having been blessed with a vision of the Lord