Bhagavad Gita 7.25 — Veiled by His Divine Power, the Unborn Supreme Is Unknown to the Deluded
नाहं प्रकाशः सर्वस्य योगमायासमावृतः ।
मूढोऽयं नाभिजानाति लोको मामजमव्ययम् ॥ ७.२५ ॥
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I am not revealed to everyone, being veiled by My divine power of yoga-māyā. This deluded world does not know Me, who am unborn 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 |
| na | not |
| aham | I |
| prakāśhaḥ | manifest, revealed |
| sarvasya | to everyone |
| yoga-māyā-samāvṛitaḥ | veiled by yoga-māyā, covered by My divine power of illusion |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| mūḍhaḥ | deluded |
| ayam | this |
| na | not |
| abhijānāti | knows, recognizes |
| lokaḥ | world, people |
| mām | Me |
| ajam | unborn |
| avyayam | imperishable |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not | mūḍhaḥ | deluded |
| aham | I | ayam | this |
| prakāśhaḥ | manifest, revealed | na | not |
| sarvasya | to everyone | abhijānāti | knows, recognizes |
| yoga-māyā-samāvṛitaḥ | veiled by yoga-māyā, covered by My divine power of illusion | lokaḥ | world, people |
| mām | Me | ||
| ajam | unborn | ||
| avyayam | imperishable | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna now explains why He does not appear plainly to everyone. He is veiled by His yogamāyā, and so the deluded world does not recognise Him as the unborn and imperishable One.
Essence
The Veil of Yogamāyā
Having said that people mistake Him for an ordinary being, Lord Krishna now explains the mechanism behind this concealment. He is not displayed openly to all, because He is covered by His own divine power.
Nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya (I am not manifest to everyone): The Supreme is always present, yet not everyone is able to perceive Him. Sunlight shines on everyone, but a person who keeps their eyes closed will not see it.
Yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ (covered by yogamāyā): Yogamāyā is the Lord's own divine power by which He conceals and reveals Himself as He chooses. It is not a limitation imposed on Him. In earlier verses, māyā was described as the three-guṇa power that deludes the world. Yogamāyā is its higher aspect, which allows Him to appear in a form while hiding His full glory from those who are not ready.
Mūḍho 'yaṁ nābhijānāti lokaḥ (this deluded world does not know Me): The world is bewildered, not because the truth is absent, but because the heart is not prepared to recognise it. Pride, desire, and attachment cloud the vision.
Mām ajam avyayam (the unborn and imperishable): Lord Krishna points to His true nature. Though He appears to take birth, He is in reality aja, unborn, and avyaya, undying. He is the same eternal Reality, whether seen or unseen.
The role of readiness: The implication is that recognition requires inner preparation. A mirror covered with dust cannot reflect an image, but when it is cleaned, the image appears. Likewise, purification of the mind, humility, and sincere seeking allow the veil to thin.
Message for Everyday Life (Preparing the Heart to See)
Do not expect understanding without preparation: We sometimes want spiritual clarity without changing our habits or attitudes.
Practical approach: Treat daily practices such as honesty, humility, quiet reflection, and service as ways of cleaning the mirror of the mind. Be patient if clarity does not come at once, and keep practising with sincerity. Over time, you may find that your vision of life, people, and even difficulties begins to deepen.
The Veil of Yogamāyā
Having said that people mistake Him for an ordinary being, Lord Krishna now explains the mechanism behind this concealment. He is not displayed openly to all, because He is covered by His own divine power.
Nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya (I am not manifest to everyone): The Supreme is always present, yet not everyone is able to perceive Him. Sunlight shines on everyone, but a person who keeps their eyes closed will not see it.
Yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ (covered by yogamāyā): Yogamāyā is the Lord's own divine power by which He conceals and reveals Himself as He chooses. It is not a limitation imposed on Him. In earlier verses, māyā was described as the three-guṇa power that deludes the world. Yogamāyā is its higher aspect, which allows Him to appear in a form while hiding His full glory from those who are not ready.
Mūḍho 'yaṁ nābhijānāti lokaḥ (this deluded world does not know Me): The world is bewildered, not because the truth is absent, but because the heart is not prepared to recognise it. Pride, desire, and attachment cloud the vision.
Mām ajam avyayam (the unborn and imperishable): Lord Krishna points to His true nature. Though He appears to take birth, He is in reality aja, unborn, and avyaya, undying. He is the same eternal Reality, whether seen or unseen.
The role of readiness: The implication is that recognition requires inner preparation. A mirror covered with dust cannot reflect an image, but when it is cleaned, the image appears. Likewise, purification of the mind, humility, and sincere seeking allow the veil to thin.
Message for Everyday Life (Preparing the Heart to See)
Do not expect understanding without preparation: We sometimes want spiritual clarity without changing our habits or attitudes.
Practical approach: Treat daily practices such as honesty, humility, quiet reflection, and service as ways of cleaning the mirror of the mind. Be patient if clarity does not come at once, and keep practising with sincerity. Over time, you may find that your vision of life, people, and even difficulties begins to deepen.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has explained that His yogamāyā veils Him from the deluded world, though He is the unborn and imperishable One. To show the difference between His knowledge and that of others, He now declares that He knows all beings of past, present, and future, but no one knows Him.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
What is hidden is not absent.
Some doors open from the other side.
Not knowing is the beginning of knowing.
Clear sight needs a clear heart.
The deepest truth is revealed, not seized.
The unborn stands behind every birth.
Wait with sincerity, and the veil thins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'yoga-māyā' (the divine power of illusion)?
Why is the Supreme 'na prakāśhaḥ sarvasya' (not revealed to everyone)?
What do 'ajam' (unborn) and 'avyayam' (imperishable) tell us about the Supreme?
What is the meaning of 'mūḍhaḥ' (deluded) in this verse?
What is the practical message of this verse?
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