Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 3 (BG 7.3) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

# BG 7.3 Throughout Indian spiritual literature, various teachers have repeatedly emphasized that those seekers who attain self-knowledge and its direct experiential realization are exceedingly rare. We have already been told that the principles of Vedanta are heard and understood with the same sense of wonder. The ancient sages have described this very truth in the Upanishads. According to Lord Sri Krishna, the responsibility for attaining self-knowledge rests entirely upon the seeker. If a seeker fails to gain this experience, the sole reason is the absence of necessary earnest effort. Since Vedanta is a science concerning the spiritual dimension of existence, mere intellectual knowledge of our shortcomings is insufficient for us. Rather, to overcome them and to strengthen our inner spiritual power, we must constantly endeavor to integrate Vedantic knowledge into our daily lives. It is a universally recognized truth that only in a rare individual does there arise an intense longing for self-perfection, for which he remains ready to offer his entire being. Among thousands of human beings, those who listen to Vedanta and perhaps even understand intellectually all the principles it expounds—even among them, only a few are those who fully embrace the spiritual way of life. Among such earnest seekers, perhaps one truly knows Me in essence. There are many reasons for this. When a disciple listens with enthusiasm and focused attention to the teachings of a true teacher, he may indeed rise to a certain height. Yet it is possible that even upon reaching the threshold of truth, he may obstruct his own progress through some subtle and unknown desire or unconscious pride, and thus remain deprived of the vision of truth. In this light, the declaration of Jesus Christ is meaningful: a camel can pass through the eye of a needle more easily than a wealthy person can enter the gates of heaven. Here, by "wealth" is meant the desires accumulated in the mind, not material possessions of the world. As long as the mind remains impure and full of desires, it cannot experience the bliss of truth. Considering Lord Sri Krishna's perspective, reflection upon this verse reveals that only rare individuals, upon hearing Vedanta, truly understand its principles in their authentic form. Among them, the number of seekers who possess the necessary knowledge of the goal, mental steadfastness, physical endurance, and completeness of effort to live a life of truth and purity is very small indeed. Arjuna and those who inquire into the Gita are such rare individuals who are worthy of self-knowledge. To them, Lord Sri Krishna promises teachings of knowledge accompanied by wisdom, through which direct experience of the Self becomes possible. Thus, having awakened interest in this knowledge within the listener, the Lord proceeds to speak further.