In Bhagavad Gita 7.3, Krishna says that among thousands of people, scarcely one strives for perfection, and among those who strive and succeed, scarcely one knows him in truth.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु
कश्चिद्यतति सिद्धये
यततामपि सिद्धानां
कश्चिन्मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः ॥ ७-३ ॥
manuṣyāṇāṃ sahasreṣu
kaścidyatati siddhaye
yatatāmapi siddhānāṃ
kaścinmāṃ vetti tattvataḥ
English transliteration manushyaanaam sahasreshu
kashchidyatati siddhaye
yatataamapi siddhaanaam
kashchinmaam vetti tattvatah ॥ 7.3 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Among thousands of people, hardly one strives for perfection; and among those who strive and attain, hardly one knows Me in truth.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| मनुष्याणाम् manuṣyāṇām | of people |
| सहस्रेषु sahasreṣu | among thousands |
| कश्चित् kaścit | hardly one |
| यतति yatati | strives |
| सिद्धये siddhaye | for perfection |
| यतताम् yatatām | of those who strive |
| अपि api | even |
| सिद्धानाम् siddhānām | of the accomplished |
| कश्चित् kaścit | hardly one |
| माम् mām | Me |
| वेत्ति vetti | knows |
| तत्त्वतः tattvataḥ | in truth |
Word-wise Chanting
- ma–nuṣ–yā–ṇāṃ sa–has–re–ṣu 8 syllables ma-nush-yaa-naam sa-has-re-shu
- kaś–cid–ya–ta–ti sid–dha–ye | 8 syllables kash-chid-ya-ta-ti sid-dha-ye
- ya–ta–tā–ma–pi sid–dhā–nāṃ 8 syllables ya-ta-taa-ma-pi sid-dhaa-naam
- kaś–cin–māṃ vet–ti tat–tva–taḥ || 7-3 8 syllables kash-chin-maam vet-ti tat-tva-tah
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 3
Context
Krishna emphasises the rarity and value of the knowledge he will give.
Meaning
Most people are absorbed in worldly concerns. Only a few seek siddhi, spiritual perfection. Among those who strive and even achieve some attainment, very few know the Divine tattvataḥ, in its true essence. This verse underlines how precious the teaching is.
The verse is not meant to discourage but to awaken. If such knowledge is rare, it is worth every effort. It also invites humility: spiritual achievements are not the same as truly knowing the Divine.
In Practice
Appreciate the rare opportunity you have to seek truth. Renew your commitment to it today with gratitude.
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.