Clarity — Lesson 28

Verses

Transliteration

tribhir guṇa-mayair bhāvair ebhiḥ sarvam idaṁ jagat
mohitaṁ nābhijānāti mām ebhyaḥ param avyayam

daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā
mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te

Meaning

This entire world is deluded by the three guṇas (qualities of nature), and therefore does not recognize Me as the changeless reality beyond them. This divine māyā of Mine, made of the guṇas, is difficult to cross. But those who take refuge in Me alone cross over this māyā.

Key Words

• guṇa-mayaiḥ — made of the three guṇas
• mohitam — deluded
• avyayam — unchanging
• māyā — the power of appearance
• duratyayā — difficult to cross
• prapadyante — take refuge
• taranti — cross over

Teaching

Krishna introduces the idea of māyā. The world we experience is shaped by the three guṇas — sattva (clarity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia). Because of this, our perception is not always clear. We get caught in appearances, and fail to recognize the underlying reality. This power of appearance is called māyā. It is not easy to see through it. But when one understands the truth and aligns with it, this confusion is crossed.

Connection to Clarity

Clarity is seeing through confusion. Māyā is not something outside — it is the misunderstanding of reality. When I take the changing as absolute, I remain confused. When I recognize the underlying reality, I gain freedom from that confusion. This is crossing over māyā.

Reflection

Where in my life do I take appearances as absolute reality? Can I question what seems obvious, and look deeper?