Bhagavad Gita · Verse 7.24
Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (ज्ञानविज्ञानयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अव्यक्तं व्यक्तिमापन्नं मन्यन्ते मामबुद्धयः । परं भावमजानन्तो ममाव्ययमनुत्तमम् ॥२४॥
avyaktaṃ vyaktimāpannaṃ manyante māmabuddhayaḥ | paraṃ bhāvamajānanto mamāvyayamanuttamam ||24||
Complete Shloka Translation
Those without discernment think that I, the unmanifest, have become manifest, not knowing My supreme nature, which is imperishable and unsurpassed.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अव्यक्तम् | avyaktam | unmanifest |
| व्यक्तिम् | vyaktim | manifestation |
| अव्यक्तं | avyaktaṃ | [term] in context of Those without discernment thin... |
| व्यक्तिमापन्नं | vyaktimāpannaṃ | [term] in context of Those without discernment thin... |
| मन्यन्ते | manyante | [term] in context of Those without discernment thin... |
| मामबुद्धयः | māmabuddhayaḥ | [term] in context of Those without discernment thin... |
| परं | paraṃ | [term] in context of Those without discernment thin... |
| भावमजानन्तो | bhāvamajānanto | [term] in context of Those without discernment thin... |
| ममाव्ययमनुत्तमम् | mamāvyayamanuttamam | [term] in context of Those without discernment thin... |
| २४ | mamāvyayamanuttamam | [term] in context of Those without discernment thin... |
unmanifest
manifestation
[term] in context of Those without discernment thin...
[term] in context of Those without discernment thin...
[term] in context of Those without discernment thin...
[term] in context of Those without discernment thin...
[term] in context of Those without discernment thin...
[term] in context of Those without discernment thin...
[term] in context of Those without discernment thin...
[term] in context of Those without discernment thin...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The verse warns against reducing Krishna to an ordinary appearance while overlooking His enduring divine nature. Traditions differ in explaining unmanifest and manifest here; the passage does not by itself settle every debate about divine form.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Look beyond an outward appearance before deciding you understand fully."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
When have appearances led you to a premature conclusion?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to look beneath external appearances in your daily life: see the underlying divine spark and interconnectedness in everyone, and seek refuge in timeless values rather than chasing fleeting superficial illusions.