Yoga of Knowledge of Brahman - Gita

1. Introduction and summary of Chapter 7- The Yoga of Knowledge and Realization of Brahman
2. Chapter reading - The Yoga of Knowledge and Realization of Brahman (Gita according to Gandhi, Swami Sivananda):
3. Key topics by verses:
   1. Verses 1-3: Knowledge of Brahman through Dhyana Yoga (Meditation) and Bhakti Yoga (Devotion)
   2. Verses 4-7: Prakriti Lower and higher as Manifestations of the Lord as the Universe
   3. Verses 8-12: Omnipresence of the Lord in the universe
   4. Verses 13-19: Evildoers and benefactors. The four types of devotees and the Paths of Yoga
   5. Verses 20-23: Validity of any path followed with faith and devotion
   6. Verses 24-30: Causes of ignorance. Profile of someone who has known the Lord
4. Reading the verse adaptation of this chapter
5. Analysis of each verse and its comments (Gita Makaranadam version by Swami Vidya Prakashananda)
6. Readings by Swami Vivekananda in relation to Chapter 7- The Yoga of Knowledge and Realization of Brahman
7. Exercises of Chapter 7

Jnana can be translated as “Knowledge of Brahman ”, as the Only Reality (according to Sri Ramakrishna: Jnana is knowing Atman through the path of discrimination: “Not this, not this / Neti / Neti”). Vijnana is the realization of Brahman, absolute Self-Knowledge. In this state, everything becomes one.

Swami Sivananda translated this chapter as “The Yoga of Wisdom and Realization.”

In this chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna mainly explains to Arjuna the nature of Absolute Reality (Parabrahman):

«The Lord said: Listen, Ο Partha, how, with your mind attached to Me, surrendering to Me, and practicing (Bhakti) yoga, without any doubt you will know Me completely» Bhagavad Gita 7-1.

Once this Knowledge has been achieved, the Yogi who has achieved it has “nothing more left to know”:

«Now I will fully reveal this knowledge and wisdom to you, knowing that nothing more remains to be known in this world» Bhagavad Gita 7-2.

That is, the Supreme Divinity (God, Brahman, Sat-Chit-Ananda, Allah or whatever you want to call him) must be realized in both its transcendent and immanent aspects (inseparably linked to its essence). It is the essence, the substance and the substrate of everything, whether visible or invisible.

1. Divine Manifestations
2. Universal Form of the Lord

Although everything is in Him, yet He transcends everything as the Actionless Being.

Sri Krishna warns us that this complete union with the Lord is difficult to achieve:

«Among thousands of men, barely one strives for perfection; and even among those who have attained perfection, hardly one truly knows Me» Bhagavad Gita 7-3.

Sri Krishna then explained to Arjuna his manifestations as the universe, that is, his lower and higher Prakriti.

Prakriti is a key concept in Hinduism (Samkhya doctrine) being clearly expounded in the Bhagavad Gita. It refers to the basic matter of the universe.

Prakriti has three different innate qualities (Gunas) whose balance is the basis of harmony. The gunas are three: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas; They are present in everyone and everything. These three qualities deceive the soul and make it forget its true nature, which is to be one with God. Chapter 14 - 14 - The Yoga of the Differentiation of the Three Gunas is focused on the analysis of the Gunas.

This delusion, called Maya, can only be removed by the Grace of the Lord.

The rest of this summary on the subject “Yoga of Knowledge of Brahman” is only available to students of the Gita Institute

Bhakti Yoga by Vivekananda - Para-Bhakti

Chapter 7 verse 7 of the Bhagavad Gita (Swami Vidya Prakashananda): Jananvijnana Yoga

Parabrahman - Royal Knowledge

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Hinduism and Bhagavad Gita.