In Bhagavad Gita 7.13, Krishna says the whole world, deluded by the states made of the three gunas, does not recognise him, who is beyond them and imperishable.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
त्रिभिर्गुणमयैर्भावैर्
एभिः सर्वमिदं जगत्
मोहितं नाभिजानाति
मामेभ्यः परमव्ययम् ॥ ७-१३ ॥
tribhirguṇamayairbhāvair
ebhiḥ sarvamidaṃ jagat
mohitaṃ nābhijānāti
māmebhyaḥ paramavyayam
English transliteration tribhirgunamayairbhaavair
ebhih sarvamidam jagat
mohitam naabhijaanaati
maamebhyah paramavyayam ॥ 7.13 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Deluded by these three states made of the gunas, this whole world does not know Me, who am beyond them and imperishable.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| त्रिभिः tribhiḥ | by the three |
| गुणमयैः guṇamayaiḥ | made of the guṇas |
| भावैः bhāvaiḥ | by states |
| एभिः ebhiḥ | by these |
| सर्वम् sarvam | whole |
| इदम् idam | this |
| जगत् jagat | world |
| मोहितम् mohitam | deluded |
| न na | not |
| अभिजानाति abhijānāti | knows |
| माम् mām | Me |
| एभ्यः ebhyaḥ | than these |
| परम् param | beyond |
| अव्ययम् avyayam | imperishable |
Word-wise Chanting
- tri–bhir–gu–ṇa–ma–yair–bhā–vair– 8 syllables tri-bhir-gu-na-ma-yair-bhaa-vair-
- e–bhiḥ sar–va–mi–daṃ ja–gat | 8 syllables e-bhih sar-va-mi-dam ja-gat
- mo–hi–taṃ nā–bhi–jā–nā–ti 8 syllables mo-hi-tam naa-bhi-jaa-naa-ti
- mā–mebh–yaḥ pa–ra–mav–ya–yam || 7-13 8 syllables maa-mebh-yah pa-ra-mav-ya-yam
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 7 Verse 13
Context
Krishna explains why people fail to know him (following 7.12).
Meaning
The three guṇas produce endless states of mind and experience: pleasure and pain, activity and dullness, clarity and confusion. Absorbed in them, people are mohita, deluded, and do not recognise the Divine, which is param, beyond the guṇas, and avyaya, imperishable.
We are often so absorbed in the drama of our moods and circumstances that we forget the deeper reality. Like a person engrossed in a film who forgets the screen, we forget the Divine that supports everything. Spiritual practice reminds us of the screen.
In Practice
When you feel caught in a strong emotion today, pause and remember that you are more than this passing state.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (Knowledge and Realisation). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.