Lord Krishna ended chapter 6 with a clear conclusion that devotional yoga (or bhakti-yoga) is the highest form of yoga (as discussed in the previous section). Krishna invites us to practice the process of devotional yoga by bringing our total absorption into thinking of Him and engaging in His loving service. How can we think of Krishna if we don’t know Him? How can we engage in His service if there is no attachment toward Him? Therefore, Krishna begins chapter 7 with the declaration of a very simple method by which we can know Him in full (samagraṁ) without a speck of doubt (asaṁśayaṁ) and develop an irresistible attachment (mayy āsakta-manāḥ) toward Him. The method is to simply hear (śṛṇu). (BG 7.1)

As simple as it may sound, this simple process of hearing involves two implicit factors for success: (i) We have to hear from the right source (i.e., from Krishna directly in the form of the Bhagavad Gita, or from those who have heard the message in the disciplic succession originating from Krishna) – this principle was already discussed before at the beginning of chapter 4. (ii) We need internal humility to hear from a bona fide representative of Krishna because hearing involves putting the communicator on a higher platform, and being favorably disposed to change our old ways based on the received message.

Tips for a high-quality hearing

[Source: Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad]

The instructions are received by the ear and then digested by progressively going through the following stages:

1. śravaṇaṁ (hearing from the right source): We receive instructions from a bona fide source, a member of an authorized disciplic succession.
2. mananaṁ (reflection on the message to understand): We reflect on the instructions attempting to understand them fully.
3. nididhyāsanaṁ (contemplation to apply): The understanding is further accompanied by contemplation to apply the instructions in specific circumstances of life.
4. vandanaṁ (prayerful mood to receive realization): While we apply the instructions, we maintain a prayerful mood to receive realizations within our hearts. Realizations are gifts from Krishna that consummate the hearing process.