Maya

Sri bhagavan uvaca: Bahuni me vyatitani janmani tava carjuna, tany aham veda sarvani na tvam vettha parantapa

Krishna replies: Both you and I have passed through many births. I remember them all, O Arjuna, but you do not remember yours.

Ajo 'pi sann avyayatma bhutanam ishvaro 'pi san, prakritim svam adhisthaya sambhavamy atma-mayaya

Though I am unborn and imperishable, though I am the Lord of all beings, yet by ruling over My own material nature, I appear through My own divine power (yoga maya).

Tribhir guna-mayair bhavair ebhih sarvamidam jagat, mohitam nabhijanati mam ebhyah param avyayam

Deluded by these three states of being composed of the gunas, the entire world does not know Me, who am above them and inexhaustible. The three gunas create a veil of illusion that prevents people from recognizing the eternal, unchanging nature that underlies all phenomena.

Daivi hy esha guna-mayi mama maya duratyaya, mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te

This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who surrender unto Me can easily cross beyond it.

Na mam dushkritino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah, mayayapahrta-jnana asura bhavam ashritah

Evildoers who are foolish, who are the lowest among men, whose knowledge is taken away by maya, and who have taken to the demonic nature — they do not surrender unto Me. Krishna identifies four categories of people who fail to seek God: the wicked, the ignorant, those whose wisdom is stolen by illusion, and those with a demonic disposition.

Kamais tais tair hrita-jnanah prapadyante 'nya-devatah, tam tam niyamam asthaya prakritya niyatah svaya

Those whose wisdom has been distorted by desires surrender to other deities, following various rules and rituals, compelled by their own nature. When people are governed by material desires, they seek lesser powers rather than the Supreme. Their worship, though sincere, is limited by their level of understanding.

Na rūpam asyeha tathopalabhyate nānto na chādir na cha sampratiṣhṭhā, aśhvattham enaṁ su-virūḍha-mūlam asaṅga-śhastreṇa dṛiḍhena chhittvā

The real form of this tree cannot be perceived in this world, nor its beginning, end, or existence. Cut down this firmly rooted tree with the weapon of detachment.