Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 14

English Translation

Since this divine Maya of Mine which is constituted by the gunas is difficult to cross over, (therefore) those who take refuge in Me alone cross over this Maya.

Detailed Commentary

7.14. Commentary: Regarding 'Daivī Hyeṣā Guṇamayī Mama Māyā Duratyayā'—this Māyā, composed of the three Guṇas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas—is the divine Māyā of the Lord, exceedingly difficult to transcend. Those who harbor desires for enjoyment (bhoga) and accumulation (saṅgraha) cannot detach themselves from this Māyā. The term 'Duratyaya' implies that such individuals perceive themselves as sometimes happy, sometimes sorrowful; sometimes wise, sometimes ignorant; sometimes weak, sometimes powerful, and remain entangled in these fluctuating states. For this very reason, it becomes arduous for them to break free from these bonds. This Māyā remains 'Duratyaya' when the Guṇas are considered to possess an independent existence and significance apart from the Supreme Being (Paramātmā). If one does not ascribe significance to the Guṇas apart from the Lord, then one can emerge from this Māyā. Regarding 'Mām Eva Ye Prapadyante Māyām Etāṁ Taranti Te'—those who surrender solely to the Lord, they transcend this Māyā, for their vision is fixed exclusively on the Lord, and not on the Guṇas. Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas—these Guṇas are neither in the Lord, nor is the Lord in them. The Lord acts by His inherent completeness and power. Those who comprehend this true nature (svarūpa) of the Lord do not become entangled in the Guṇas, and thus they transcend this Māyā. They do not rely on the mind and intellect in the actions arising from the Guṇas, for they know that the mind and intellect are also creations of Prakriti. Just as Prakriti is continuously moving towards dissolution (pralaya), so too are the mind and intellect. One should consecrate one's body, senses (indriyas), and so forth, to the Lord, engaging them in His service. One should retain nothing for oneself. Through the Lord's grace (kṛpā), an individual can transcend Māyā. One should not consider things bestowed by the Lord as one's own, for a human being has no inherent ownership over them. This very understanding is the means to emerge from Māyā. The essence of the verse (śloka) is that those who surrender to the Lord transcend the Guṇa-infused Māyā. Conversely, those who seek refuge in other deities instead of the Lord possess 'Āsurī Sampatti' (demonic qualities) and cannot transcend Māyā. Individuals of Āsurī nature may reach Brahmaloka, but they cannot escape the cycle of birth and death (janma-maraṇa). Connection: In the preceding verse (śloka), the Lord stated that all who surrender to Him transcend Māyā. Now the question arises: why do not all beings (jīvas) surrender to the Lord? The reason for this is explained in the subsequent verse (śloka).