Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 3

English Translation

Among thousands of men a rare one endeavours for perfection. Even of the perfected ones who are diligent, one perchance knows Me in truth.

Detailed Commentary

।।7.3।। Explanation – "Among thousands of men, hardly one strives for perfection (Siddhi)." Among thousands of humans, only one endeavors for My attainment. Those who possess humanity, beyond mere eating, drinking, and resting, are truly human. Even among them, those who adhere to Nīti (ethics) and Dharma (righteousness), only one in thousands strives for Siddhi. This Siddhi is the highest, where there is no trace of sorrow and no deficiency of bliss. Only one who desires neither Svarga (heaven) in the other world nor wealth, honor, or enjoyments in this world, strives for Siddhi. The man who wishes to avoid suffering the fruits of sin incurred for the attainment of enjoyments is the one who strives for the attainment of Paramātmā. Generally, people chase after temporary pleasures, disregarding future suffering. If they were to consider the consequences of enjoyments, they might engage in the Sādhanā (spiritual practice) of Paramātmā. Very few people possess an intense desire to transcend worldly pleasures for the attainment of Paramātmā. Even in history, we find more narratives of characters whose lives were centered on pleasures of this world and the hereafter, while accounts of seekers of self-welfare (Ātma-kalyāṇa) are fewer. In reality, the attainment of Paramātmā is not difficult, but very few are those who strive with true dedication and vigilance. Attraction to worldly pleasures and anxiety about the future are the main obstacles. "Yatatāmapi Siddhānām" – Here, 'Siddha' means those whose inner being (Antaḥkaraṇa) is pure and who are solely devoted to Bhagavān. In the Gītā, they are referred to as 'Mahātmā'. Only those who rely solely on Daivī Sampatti (divine virtues) and perform Bhajan (devotional worship) of Bhagavān are considered 'yatnaśīla' (striving) here. "Kaścinmāṁ vetti tattvataḥ" – Among those who strive, only one truly knows Me. It's not that every striver knows; rather, only one among them knows the Tattva (truth/essence) in due course. The phrase 'another one' implies that among those who know, one becomes an expounder. This verse does not speak of the difficulty of the Tattva, but rather indicates that an intense desire for the attainment of Paramātma-tattva and finding a guide for it are difficult. The dialogue between Bhagavān and Arjuna is an example of this. Mere intense yearning is rare; once the yearning arises, the responsibility of knowledge rests with Bhagavān. 'Tattvataḥ' means that one understands and knows all My forms, without any doubt, and in one's experience, there remains nothing but Paramātmā. Connection – In the second verse, Bhagavān spoke of Jñāna (knowledge) and Vijñāna (realization), and now He begins its elaboration.