In the Bhagavad-gita’s seventh chapter, Krishna warns that the illusory energy is formidable (07.14). Later, he specifies her three principal agents: lust, anger and greed (16.21: three gates to hell).

Significantly, Arjuna had thwarted all these agents. He had resisted lust in the form of a proposition from the celestial damsel Urvashi, who had threatened to curse him if he refused her and had actually cursed him with temporary impotence. He had resisted greed by never coveting the throne for which Yudhishthira was the heir, even though he was a far better warrior and had won the wars and the wealth necessary for Yudhishthira’s enthronement. He had resisted anger by staying calm himself and keeping his bellicose brother, Bhima, calm when Yudhishthira had gambled everything away and especially when their wife Draupadi was dishonored.

Yet that remarkably resilient Arjuna was reduced to tears by the illusory energy through a far more sophisticated attack — not through temptation, but through confusion. Temptation allures us, especially our mind, with something that we know is wrong. In contrast, confusion attacks our intelligence by obscuring our understanding of right and wrong. 

On the Kurukshetra battlefield, Arjuna was torn between protecting his venerable elders and protecting his dependent citizens. To resolve such confusions, he had turned to Krishna for guidance (02.07). While providing guidance, Krishna states here (07.14) the essential principle that he will declare explicitly in conclusion: surrender and act in a mood of service to Me (18.66). And that indeed is what Arjuna does (18.73).

We all will be attacked by the illustory energy through temptation or confusion or both; to overcome such attacks, we all need to surrender to Krishna. 

One-sentence summary:

The illusory energy is formidable because it attacks not just by tempting our mind to do the wrong thing but also by confusing our intelligence about what is right and what is wrong. 

Think it over: 

  • How had Arjuna thwarted the attacks of the illusory energy?
  • What are the two major ways the illusory energy attacks? 
  • How can we overcome the attacks of the illusory energy?

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07.14: This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.

To know more about this verse, please click on the image