Class summary for Dec 30, 2025 - BG Chapter 7 - shlokas 10.- 13

Summarized by Sachin Gaikwad

Class started with the opening prayers, Om, Pranayama, and meditation.

In Today’s class, we covered Chapter 7 Shlokas, 10–13

Summary of the Class:

Today’s study group focused on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Shlokas 10 to 13, with a brief recap of Shlokas 7 to 9 and a deeper discussion on Shlokas 10 to 13. The central theme was understanding Brahman through its expressions and recognizing how ignorance, driven by the three Gunas, prevents us from knowing Brahman as it truly is.

Recap of Shlokas 7 to 9: Expressions of Brahman:

Brahman cannot be described directly, as it is beyond words and concepts. Instead, Lord Krishna gives pointers to help us recognize Brahman through lived experience. He explains that Brahman is present as the taste in water, the radiance of the sun and moon, the fragrance of the earth, the brilliance in fire, and the life-force in all beings. These are not Brahman itself, but expressions through which Brahman can be intuitively recognized.

Deeper discussion on Shlokas 10 to 13:

In Shlokas 10 and 11, Krishna continues to reveal Brahman’s expressions. 

He declares himself to be the eternal seed of all beings, the intellect in the intelligent, and the splendor in the glorious. He also explains that true strength is strength free from desire and attachment, and that desire aligned with Dharma is also an expression of Brahman.

The idea of the eternal seed was explained as a cause that does not follow a normal cause-effect relationship. Unlike worldly events, for example we take birth due to reasons such as karma and vasanas, the creation of the universe itself has no such explainable cause. Brahman is the source of all three bodies: gross, subtle, and causal, without itself being caused. An analogy was drawn with dreams, where events and experiences arise without a clear reason, illustrating how manifestation can occur without a traceable cause.

In Shlokas 12 and 13, we discussed the Brahman, the Gunas, and Ignorance. 

• A question was raised regarding Shloka 12, where Krishna says that he is not in the Gunas, but the Gunas are in him ,i.e., “I Am Not in Them, They Are in Me” 
• This was discussed by emphasizing that Brahman is beyond logical understanding, his nature is of contradictions and opposites. Brahman is both the smallest of the small and the largest of the large, all-pervasive and yet seemingly absent. Such truths cannot be fully grasped intellectually. The practices of Shravanam (listening), Mananam (reflection), and Nidhidhyasanam (deep contemplation) help in internalizing this understanding.

• A question was raised regarding Shloka 13, Krishna explains that the entire world is influenced and deluded by the three Gunas of Prakriti and that is the reason why people are unable to know him.
• Human beings act under their influence and mistake these changing states for the true nature of Krishna’s energy. In reality, Krishna (Brahman) is eternal and distinct from the Gunas, even though the Gunas arise from Krishna (Brahman) through Maya.

Nature of the Three Gunas:

• Tamas is a state of ignorance where the veil of non-understanding (Avarana) dominates. It is marked by inertia and lack of awareness. Example: vegetable-like, inert or unconscious state.
• Rajas is a state of activity and agitation, characterized by distraction (Vikshepa) and a restless, wandering mind. Example: human mind with animalistic tendencies.
• Sattva is a state of clarity and balance where the mind becomes fit for knowledge and prepares itself for awakening. Example: human mind ready for transcendence.

Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas are all manifestations of Brahman, yet Brahman itself is beyond these states. Brahman is not limited by Maya, as Maya arises from Brahman.

We also discussed on several topics such as 

• The Gunateetha State: An enlightened person who is beyond the three Gunas ,i.e., Gunateetha person may appear to act like others, but internally remains unattached and un-identified with the Gunas. Such a person abides in the Self and is not disturbed by external circumstances.
• Thoughts, Emotions, and Bhakti Yoga: It was explained that thoughts give rise to emotions, and unresolved emotions create inner disturbance. Bhakti Yoga plays an important role in purifying emotions through practices such as temple worship, reading scriptures, and devotion. This emotional purification supports clarity of mind and spiritual growth.
• Love, Attachment, and Action: A distinction was made between love and attachment. Often, what is called love is rooted in self-protection, such as fear of losing someone. True love allows freedom and is not rooted in possession or fear. Similarly, when actions are performed with a sense of personal right, ego strengthens. When actions are performed as a duty to the Lord, with gratitude, ego reduces and the action does not bind the individual.

Story of Gajendra Moksha

The story of Gajendra illustrated surrender and grace. Gajendra, the king of elephants, once regularly offered flowers to the Lord but became complacent over time. When a crocodile seized his leg and all his family abandoned, strength failed, he remembered his devotion and offered a lotus to Vishnu with complete surrender. Vishnu immediately arrived and freed him using the Sudarshana Chakra. Through surrender, Gajendra attained moksha and reached Vaikuntha.

Story of the Devas and the Yaksha (Kena Upanishad)

After defeating the Asuras, the Devas became proud of their victory. A mysterious Yaksha appeared, and none of the Devas could demonstrate their powers before him. When Indra approached with humility, it was revealed through Uma that the Yaksha was Brahman itself. The story emphasized that all power belongs to Brahman, not to individual beings, and that humility and guidance are essential for true knowledge.

Four Levels of Lessons from the Yaksha Story:

• God is the source of power behind all Devas and abilities
• Gratitude is necessary for everything we receive, even what we believe we have earned
• Lack of humility leads to arrogance and spiritual downfall
• Freedom from jealousy and comparison is essential for inner growth