What is the nature of knowledge that Krishna is going to reveal now? It pertains to Krishna and His two fundamental energies – material (BG 7.4) and spiritual (BG 7.5). The knowledge about the material energy (jñānaṁ) uncovers the connection of the seen (phenomenal world) with Krishna while the knowledge about the spiritual energy (vijñānam) uncovers the connection of the unseen (numinous force behind) with Krishna. (BG 7.2) To move from the realm of the seen (jñānaṁ) to the realm of the unseen (vijñānam) requires the gift of realization from Krishna.
Beyond this knowledge, there is nothing further to know (BG 7.2) because the combination of Krishna’s two energies makes up everything (kṛtsnasya). Krishna is the ultimate cause (prabhavaḥ) as well as the dissolution factor (pralayas) of all energetic manifestations (BG 7.6). Everything rests upon Krishna (or, is maintained by Krishna), as pearls are strung on an invisible thread (sūtre maṇi-gaṇā iva). Just like we cannot see the thread that holds the pearls in place, we cannot perceive the invisible hands of Krishna behind the seen realm. Therefore, Krishna emphatically declares that nothing and no one is beyond Krishna as the Supreme Person (BG 7.7). Clearly, the notion of universal consciousness over and beyond Krishna is a myth, based on BG 7.7.
Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence, and ego – these eight elements constitute Krishna’s separated (bhinnā) material energy. The word, bhinnā signifies that Krishna has empowered His material energy to function according to the material laws, but He Himself is not directly involved in the material activities. (BG 7.4) All living entities, by virtue of their conscious nature, belong to the spiritual energy, which is considered superior to the material energy because this conscious nature can be misused to exploit matter or can be properly utilized to connect with its source, Krishna. (BG 7.5)
The realization of this inviolable connection with the source of our existence (Krishna) is the essence of perfection. Out of many thousands of conscious beings (who are endowed with a superior nature), one may endeavor for perfection (yatati siddhaye), and out of those who have achieved perfection (siddhānāṁ), hardly one (kaścin) knows Krishna in truth. (BG 7.3) The rarity of achieving perfection suggests that the realizations about Krishna and our eternal connection with Him are only possible by divine revelation and not by our mental speculation. Therefore, before revealing the knowledge, (BG 7.1) Krishna emphasizes on the hearing (śṛṇu) process, which opens the door for perfection.
