138. Overcoming Delusions
T he seventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is called ‘ Jnana-Vignana-Yoga ’ which can be interpreted as the understanding of manifested ( vyakta ) and unmanifested ( avyakta ). Krishna gives two assurances in this chapter. Firstly, once ‘this’ is known, nothing is left to be known (7.2) and secondly, if ‘this’ is understood even at the time of death still they attain Me (7.29). Manifested (perishable) is eightfold (7.4) and unmanifested (eternal) is the life element which is beyond senses but supports the manifested like a string in an ornament of pearls (7.7). Manifested is under the influence of delusions caused by the three gunas (7.25); and by polarities of longing and aversion (7.27) which can be crossed by seeking refuge in Him. Science concludes that this entire universe (manifested) was formed from a single point and all we see around us is connected to that point which once held near infinite capacity. A similar analogy will hold for unmanifested as...