Bhagavad Gita 7.13 — The World Deluded by the Three Modes Fails to Know the Imperishable Supreme
त्रिभिर्गुणमयैर्भावैरेभिः सर्वमिदं जगत् ।
मोहितं नाभिजानाति मामेभ्यः परमव्ययम् ॥ ७.१३ ॥
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Deluded by these three modes of nature, the whole world does not recognize Me, who am beyond them and imperishable.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tribhiḥ | by the three |
| guṇa-mayaiḥ | made of the guṇas, consisting of the qualities of nature |
| bhāvaiḥ | by states of being, by modes |
| ebhiḥ | by these |
| sarvam | whole |
| idam | this |
| jagat | world |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| mohitam | deluded, bewildered |
| na | not |
| abhijānāti | knows, recognizes |
| mām | Me |
| ebhyaḥ | beyond these |
| param | higher, transcendent |
| avyayam | imperishable, unchanging |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tribhiḥ | by the three | mohitam | deluded, bewildered |
| guṇa-mayaiḥ | made of the guṇas, consisting of the qualities of nature | na | not |
| bhāvaiḥ | by states of being, by modes | abhijānāti | knows, recognizes |
| ebhiḥ | by these | mām | Me |
| sarvam | whole | ebhyaḥ | beyond these |
| idam | this | param | higher, transcendent |
| jagat | world | avyayam | imperishable, unchanging |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna now reveals why the Supreme, though present everywhere, remains unrecognised by most people. The whole world is deluded by the three guṇa-born states of mind and fails to recognise Him as the imperishable One who is beyond them.
Essence
Why the World Does Not Recognise the Divine
This verse names the problem plainly: delusion. It is not that the Divine is hidden far away. The difficulty lies in the way our minds are conditioned, and that conditioning is produced by the three guṇas.
Tribhir guṇa-mayair bhāvair ebhiḥ (by these three states made of the guṇas): The guṇas influence our thinking, preferences, moods, and sense of identity. A person under the influence of rajas sees everything as an opportunity for gain or a threat to their ambitions. A person under tamas may see little meaning beyond comfort and distraction. Even sattva, though it brings peace and knowledge, can create attachment to happiness and learning.
Sarvam idaṁ jagat mohitam (this entire world is deluded): The word mohita means bewildered or enchanted. Like a person looking at a landscape through coloured glasses, we see the world tinted by the guṇas and mistake that tint for reality.
Nābhijānāti mām (does not truly know Me): Because attention is absorbed in the changing play of the guṇas, the unchanging Reality behind them goes unnoticed. People see the waves but miss the ocean.
Ebhyaḥ param avyayam (who is beyond them and imperishable): Lord Krishna is param, higher than the guṇas, and avyaya, never subject to decay. The tragedy is that people search for lasting satisfaction in things that are changing, while the changeless source remains neglected.
A diagnosis, not a condemnation: The verse does not blame people for being foolish. It explains a universal condition. And whatever can be diagnosed can also be addressed, which is what the next verse goes on to do.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing Through the Tint of Your Mind)
Question your automatic reactions: Much of our unhappiness comes from reacting to life through habitual moods without examining them. We may blame circumstances when the real distortion lies in our own state of mind.
Practical approach: Before making an important decision or responding in anger, pause and ask which mood is influencing you. Try to cultivate quiet time through prayer, meditation, or reflection, where you can look beyond immediate concerns. The more regularly you do this, the more you will notice the steady awareness behind your changing moods.
Why the World Does Not Recognise the Divine
This verse names the problem plainly: delusion. It is not that the Divine is hidden far away. The difficulty lies in the way our minds are conditioned, and that conditioning is produced by the three guṇas.
Tribhir guṇa-mayair bhāvair ebhiḥ (by these three states made of the guṇas): The guṇas influence our thinking, preferences, moods, and sense of identity. A person under the influence of rajas sees everything as an opportunity for gain or a threat to their ambitions. A person under tamas may see little meaning beyond comfort and distraction. Even sattva, though it brings peace and knowledge, can create attachment to happiness and learning.
Sarvam idaṁ jagat mohitam (this entire world is deluded): The word mohita means bewildered or enchanted. Like a person looking at a landscape through coloured glasses, we see the world tinted by the guṇas and mistake that tint for reality.
Nābhijānāti mām (does not truly know Me): Because attention is absorbed in the changing play of the guṇas, the unchanging Reality behind them goes unnoticed. People see the waves but miss the ocean.
Ebhyaḥ param avyayam (who is beyond them and imperishable): Lord Krishna is param, higher than the guṇas, and avyaya, never subject to decay. The tragedy is that people search for lasting satisfaction in things that are changing, while the changeless source remains neglected.
A diagnosis, not a condemnation: The verse does not blame people for being foolish. It explains a universal condition. And whatever can be diagnosed can also be addressed, which is what the next verse goes on to do.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing Through the Tint of Your Mind)
Question your automatic reactions: Much of our unhappiness comes from reacting to life through habitual moods without examining them. We may blame circumstances when the real distortion lies in our own state of mind.
Practical approach: Before making an important decision or responding in anger, pause and ask which mood is influencing you. Try to cultivate quiet time through prayer, meditation, or reflection, where you can look beyond immediate concerns. The more regularly you do this, the more you will notice the steady awareness behind your changing moods.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has explained that the world fails to recognise Him because it is deluded by the three guṇas. This naturally leads to the question of whether there is any way out of this bewilderment. In the next verse, He describes this delusion as His own divine māyā, difficult to cross, and reveals the one sure way to go beyond it.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
We see through tinted glass and call it the world.
Notice what influences you, and you begin to be free.
Behind every change, something unchanging watches.
Mistaking the changing for the lasting is the root of confusion.
Wisdom is seeing without the tint.
Everyone is shaped by something; the wise know what.
Delusion is a state, not a sentence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are 'guṇa-mayaiḥ bhāvaiḥ' (states made of the qualities of nature)?
Why does the world fail to recognize the Supreme?
What does 'param avyayam' (beyond and imperishable) tell us about the Supreme?
Does 'mohitam' (deluded) mean people are foolish?
What is the practical message of this verse?
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