Sanskrit Verses
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This chapter unfolds in its thirty verses, the wisdom – GYaana (knowledge of God in his absolute, formless aspect), along with the knowledge of the qualified aspect of God or viGYaana (the knowledge both with form and without form). Having known these, nothing else remains to be known in this world.
Out of thousands, a rare soul, strives to realize God and of those who strive, a rarer soul actually finds God. This chapter is based on the principle of prakriti and jiva. prakriti (or nature) is two fold, differentiated as lower and higher. The lower prakriti consisting of 5 bhootas – Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether is inert and meant for enjoyment. The higher prakriti, that is, the mind, intellect and ahaMkaara or the ego which sustains the world is the jiva.
In verse 6, the nature of the two prakritis, the cause of creation is stated and described as Kshetra and KshetraGYa for their origin cause – Kshetra is inert and evolves as the body and KshetraGYa i.e. the higher prakriti consisting of mind, intellect and ahaMkaara enters all bodies as experiences and sustains them through its own work. Therefore, God is the origin from which, a thing effectively comes into existence. He is the ultimate cause of the entire universe together with prakriti.
There is nothing superior to God and the world depends on him as pearls hang on a string. He is the salt of the ocean, brilliance of the moon and Sun, Om in the Vedas, sound in the sky and manliness in men. God is the undying seed of all life and free from passion and desire.
This chapter also describes the three guNaas of sattva, rajas and tamas. The manifestations of the three Gunas deceive the world which fails to recognize the Lord who is beyond these Gunas.
It is difficult to pierce this divine maaya of guNas, but those who are faithful pierce it. The ill minded and ignorant are victims of maaya and do not worship the Lord.
The men who worship are classified as – the sorrowing, the truth seeker, seeker of bliss and the wise man. Of these, the wise man is dear as his mind is balanced and devoted to God as the supreme goal.
A man worships various goals according to his nature. But this chapter explains that God is formless and the foolish think that he has form, since they are covered by maaya and cannot see the Lord who is without birth or death. The world of illusion and maaya cannot understand him. The play of ambivalence of disgust and delight flings all beings into delusion. But holy men, free themselves from extremes, become devoted worshippers, and strive for salvation from death and old age. They understand brahman and the nature of karma. They continue in knowledge till time of death for they are firm in reason.
