Knowledge of the Absolute

Theme and purpose

Knowledge of the Absolute: Hearing reveals knowledge about Kṛṣṇa's material and spiritual energies. Four types of pious people worship Kṛṣṇa and four types of impious people don't. Some worship demigods and some become impersonalists. One who is free from sins can do determined bhakti.

How this chapter connects

Sections and key teachings

1. 7.1–3 The glory of knowledge about Lord Kṛṣṇa
2. 7.4–12 Knowledge of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s energies
   3 subsections

   • 7.4–5 Material energy constitutes of earth, water, air etc., and spiritual energy comprises the living entities.
   • 7.6–7 Kṛṣṇa is the creator, maintainer and destroyer
   • 7.8–12 Kṛṣṇa is all-pervasive, the essence of everything and is beyond the material modes
3. 7.13–19 Surrendering unto Lord Kṛṣṇa
   3 subsections

   • 7.13–14 The jīva deluded by the modes can transcend them by surrender to Kṛṣṇa
   • 7.15–16 Four types of people who do and do not worship Kṛṣṇa
   • 7.17–19 Those who surrender to Kṛṣṇa are magnanimous and jñāni is the best of them. A pure devotee is extremely rare.
4. 7.20–25 Demigod worship and Impersonalism
   2 subsections

   • 7.20–23 Demigod worhipers are less intelligent and their faith is given by Kṛṣṇa. They get quick material results that are perishable.
   • 7.24–25 Impersonalists are unintelligent and Kṛṣṇa is not obliged to reveal Himself to them
5. 7.26–30 From ‘Delusion by Māyā’ to ‘Devotion to Kṛṣṇa’
   4 subsections

   • 7.26 Kṛṣṇa knows past, present and future
   • 7.27–28 All jīvas are born into delusion and one who is sinless can do bhakti with determination
   • 7.29 A mokṣa-kāmī-bhakti takes shelter of Kṛṣṇa for liberation
   • 7.30 Knowing Kṛṣṇa as adhibhūta, adhidaiva and adhiyajña

All verses

7.1–3

• 7.1
• 7.2
• 7.3

7.4–12

• 7.4
• 7.5
• 7.6
• 7.7
• 7.8
• 7.9
• 7.10
• 7.11
• 7.12

7.13–19

• 7.13
• 7.14
• 7.15
• 7.16
• 7.17
• 7.18
• 7.19

7.20–25

• 7.20
• 7.21
• 7.22
• 7.23
• 7.24
• 7.25

7.26–30

• 7.26
• 7.27
• 7.28
• 7.29
• 7.30