Chapter 7 · Shloka 25— The Yoga of Knowledge & Realization

nāhaṁ prakāśhaḥ sarvasya yoga-māyā-samāvṛitaḥ mūḍho ’yaṁ nābhijānāti loko mām ajam avyayam

na

— not

aham

— I

prakāśhaḥ

— manifest

sarvasya

— to everyone

yoga-māyā

— God’s supreme (divine) energy

samāvṛitaḥ

— veiled

mūḍhaḥ

— deluded

ayam

— these

na

— not

abhijānāti

— know

lokaḥ

— persons

mām

— me

ajam

— unborn

avyayam

— immutable

"Naham prakasah sarvasya yoga-maya-samavrtah, mudho 'yam nabhijanati loko mam ajam avyayam." — I am not revealed to all, being veiled by My yoga-maya. This deluded world does not recognize Me, the unborn and imperishable. Krishna explains why the Divine is not perceived by everyone, despite being the all-pervading reality. 'Na aham prakasah sarvasya' — I am not manifest, not revealed, to everyone. The reason: 'yoga-maya-samavrtah' — He is veiled, covered over, by His own 'yoga-maya,' the mysterious divine power of creative illusion through which the manifold world of forms appears. Shankaracharya explains yoga-maya as the Lord's own power that, in projecting the world of names and forms, simultaneously veils His true nature. The very power that manifests the universe also conceals the unmanifest reality behind it. Thus the Divine is hidden in plain sight — present everywhere, yet covered by the dazzling display of the world it produces. 'Mudhah ayam na abhijanati lokah' — this deluded world does not recognize Him. The world, captivated by the surface play of forms (recall 7.13), fails to recognize 'mam ajam avyayam' — Krishna as the unborn (aja) and imperishable (avyaya) reality. People see the changing forms but not the changeless ground; they see the effects but not the eternal cause. This verse explains the hiddenness of the Divine without making it anyone's simple fault: the very nature of manifestation involves a veiling. Yet the implication is hopeful — the veil is yoga-maya, the Lord's own power, and it is precisely surrender to the Lord (7.14) that lifts it. What is veiled by His power is revealed by turning to Him.

Krishna explains why the deepest reality stays hidden: it's veiled by 'yoga-maya' — the very power that produces the dazzling world of forms also conceals the reality behind it. It's hidden in plain sight: present everywhere, yet covered by the very display it generates. There's a profound psychological parallel: the deepest truths about ourselves and reality are often obscured precisely by the busy surface of life. The endless stream of forms, events, and stimulation isn't just distraction — it's the very thing that veils the depth. We're so absorbed in the produced display that we miss what's producing it. But notice the hope embedded here: the veil is the Lord's own power, and turning toward the source (surrender, as in 7.14) is exactly what lifts it. What hides itself in the play reveals itself to the one who looks deeper.

Krishna explains why the deepest reality stays hidden: it's veiled by 'yoga-maya' — the very power that produces the dazzling world of forms ALSO conceals the reality behind it. It's hidden in plain sight: present everywhere, yet covered by the very show it generates. There's a deep psychological parallel: the deepest truths about yourself and reality are often hidden precisely BY the busy surface of life. The endless stream of forms, events, notifications, stimulation isn't just distraction — it's the very thing veiling the depth. We're so absorbed in the produced show that we miss what's producing it. But catch the hope here: the veil is the Lord's own power, and turning toward the source (surrender, like 7.14) is exactly what lifts it. What hides in the spectacle reveals itself to whoever looks deeper.

Krishna explains why not everyone can see God clearly. He says he's hidden behind a special magical veil called yoga-maya — the same power that creates all the amazing things in the world also gently hides God behind them! It's like God is playing a loving game of hide-and-seek, hidden right in plain sight! Most people get so busy looking at all the world's exciting things that they don't notice God behind it all. But here's the happy secret: when you sincerely turn toward God with love, the veil lifts and you can find the Divine!