Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 1

English Translation

The Blessed Lord said O Partha, hear how you, having the mind fixed on Me, practising the Yoga of Meditation and taking refuge in Me, will know Me with certainly and in fulness.

Detailed Commentary

।।7.1।। Explanation -- 'Mayyāsaktamanāh' – one whose mind has naturally become absorbed in Me remembers Me spontaneously and never forgets. One who has no attraction for worldly comforts, honor, respect, or celestial enjoyments, but only for Me, is 'mayyāsaktamanāh'. Measures for a sādhaka to fix their mind on Bhagavān: (1) When a sādhaka performs japa and dhyāna for Bhagavān with sincere intent, Bhagavān considers it as His bhajan. Just as a master asks a servant to sit and eventually pays them even if no work is done, similarly, when the mind is fixed on Bhagavān, His grace is received. (2) Bhagavān is everywhere, at all times, and in all beings; we must accept this. By chanting Bhagavān's name with this faith, a sādhaka quickly fixes their mind on Bhagavān. 'Madāśrayah' is one who relies solely on Bhagavān and finds their security in Him. The world is perishable, but Bhagavān's āśraya is eternal. Only one whose mind has deep attachment to Bhagavān can know His totality. 'Yathā jñāsyasi tacchṛṇu' – Bhagavān tells Arjuna to listen to how he will be able to know Bhagavān's complete form. In previous chapters, the word 'samagra' did not appear for Bhagavān; now Bhagavān tells Arjuna to know His complete form. Special Point: (1) Only when there is love for Bhagavān and refuge in Him alone can one know His complete form. (2) To consider one's relationship with Paramātmā as unbroken is 'Yoga'. By renouncing the importance of worldly objects, thoughts of Bhagavān arise spontaneously. Synonyms for Śaraṇāgati: (1) 'Āśraya' – e.g., life is possible only through the support of Bhagavān. (2) 'Avalambana' – e.g., taking Bhagavān's support by abandoning the world. (3) 'Adhīnatā' – becoming a servant of Bhagavān. (4) 'Prapatti' – falling at Bhagavān's feet. (5) 'Sahārā' – taking Bhagavān's base. Śaraṇāgati occurs when there is love for Bhagavān and refuge in Bhagavān alone. Context -- In the previous verse, Bhagavān spoke of knowing His complete form; now He will explain this in detail.