Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 7 · Jnana Vijnana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 7.5 अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम्
श्लोक 7.5
अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम् ।
जीवभूतां महाबाहो ययेदं धार्यते जगत् ॥
apareyamitastvanyāṃ prakṛtiṃ viddhi me parām |
jīvabhūtāṃ mahābāho yayedaṃ dhāryate jagat ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
यह मेरी अपरा (निम्न) प्रकृति है। हे महाबाहो, इससे भिन्न मेरी परा (श्रेष्ठ) प्रकृति को जानो, जो जीवरूप है और जिसके द्वारा यह संपूर्ण जगत धारण किया जाता है।
Meaning in English
This is My lower nature. But know, O mighty-armed one, that beyond it is My higher nature, the living principle, by which this universe is sustained.
Bhagavad Gita 7.5 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अपरा | aparā | lower |
| इयम् | iyam | this |
| इतः तु | itaḥ tu | but different from this |
| अन्याम् | anyām | another |
| प्रकृतिम् | prakṛtim | nature |
| विद्धि | viddhi | know |
| मे | me | my |
| पराम् | parām | higher |
| जीवभूताम् | jīva-bhūtām | which is the life-principle, the souls |
| महाबाहो | mahābāho | O mighty-armed |
| यया | yayā | by which |
| इदम् | idam | this |
| धार्यते | dhāryate | is sustained |
| जगत् | jagat | universe |
Explanation
This eightfold nature is my lower nature. But know, O mighty-armed, that I have another, higher nature, the living principle, the souls, by which this whole universe is upheld. Matter and consciousness both belong to the Divine. Consciousness ranks above matter.
The distinction between the lower and higher prakriti is central to chapter 7. Shankara reads the higher nature as the knower of the field, the conscious principle that animates bodies. Ramanuja understands jīva-bhūtā as the totality of individual souls, which are part of the Lord's body and depend on him. Madhva stresses that conscious beings, though higher than matter, remain eternally distinct from and dependent on the Lord. All agree that consciousness is ranked higher than matter.
भावार्थ
हे महाबाहो, यह मेरी अपरा अर्थात निम्न प्रकृति है; इससे भिन्न मेरी परा अर्थात उत्तम प्रकृति को जानो, जो जीवरूप है और जिसके द्वारा यह सम्पूर्ण जगत् धारण किया जाता है।
Living it today
Remember that the life in you and in every creature is the higher, sacred part of existence; treat it with reverence.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 7.5?
This eightfold nature is my lower nature. But know, O mighty-armed, that I have another, higher nature, the living principle, the souls, by which this whole universe is upheld. Matter and consciousness both belong to the Divine. Consciousness ranks above matter.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 7.5?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 7 (Jnana Vijnana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 7.5 in daily life?
Remember that the life in you and in every creature is the higher, sacred part of existence; treat it with reverence.
Reflected on verse 7.5?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.