The Bhagavad-gita’s seventh chapter begins with a strikingly different emphasis from its previous six chapters. While those chapters focused on detachment as the foundation for spiritual growth,, this chapter focuses on attachment, specifically attachment to the divine. The theme of divine attachment finds mention in the very first words of this chapter (07.01: mayy asakta-manah).
Why this difference in focus? Because Krishna presents different processes for spiritual growth in different sections of the Gita. In its first six chapters, he explains karma-yoga (chapters one to five) and dhyana-yoga (chapter six). Both these processes center on detaching our consciousness from the world. From the seventh chapter onward till the twelfth chapter, the spotlight is on bhakti-yoga, which centers on attaching our consciousness to Krishna.
In terms of textual flow, Krishna ended the last chapter by describing that the topmost yogis faithfully worship him within their hearts (06.47). These yogis attain such absorption in Krishna by rigorous practice of dhyana-yoga — a process that Arjuna found impractical (06.33-34). Addressing Arjuna’s concerns, Krishna here outlines an alternative process to the same destination of immersion in him: bhakti-yoga.
As this perfection of all yoga is the first element of this verse (mayy asakta manah: mind attached to Krishna), the various elements of this verse starting from the last and culminating in the first may be seen as stepping stones to that perfection. When we hear about Krishna (shrunu), we understand him properly (samagramam jnasyasi) and our doubts about him get resolved (asamshayam). We seek shelter of him (mad-ashrayah) by practicing yoga (yoga-yunjan) — the context makes it clear that this yoga is bhakti-yoga. By such practice, we attain life’s ultimate perfection: our mind becomes attached to Krishna.
One-sentence summary:
The ultimate destination attained through karma-yoga and dhyana-yoga by cultivating detachment — that same destination can be attained through bhakti-yoga by cultivating attachment to Krishna.
Think it over:
- In the Gita’s seventh chapter, why does Krishna’s emphasis change from detachment to attachment?
- How does the sixth chapter flow into the seventh chapter?
- How can the various elements of 7.1 be seen as a sequential progression?
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07.01: The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Now hear, O son of Prutha, how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt.
To know more about this verse, please click on the image
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