Chapter 7 Verse 15
Jñāna Vijñāna Yog
न मां दुष्कृतिनो मूढाः प्रपद्यन्ते नराधमाः। माययापहृतज्ञाना आसुरं भावमाश्रिताः।।7.15।।
na māṁ duṣhkṛitino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ māyayāpahṛita-jñānā āsuraṁ bhāvam āśhritāḥ
Word Meanings
| na | not |
| mām | unto me |
| duṣhkṛitinaḥ | the evil doers |
| mūḍhāḥ | the ignorant |
| prapadyante | surrender |
| nara-adhamāḥ | one who lazily follows one’s lower nature |
| māyayā | by God’s material energy |
| apahṛita jñānāḥ | those with deluded intellect |
| āsuram | demoniac |
| bhāvam | nature |
| āśhritāḥ | surrender |
Translation
The evil-doers and the deluded, who are the lowest of men, do not seek Me; those whose knowledge is destroyed by illusion follow the ways of demons.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse points out that people who do wrong and live blindly do not turn toward the Divine. Their understanding is clouded by illusion (maya), so they cling to selfish and harmful ways.
"Maya" here means the habit of seeing the temporary as the real—identifying with the body, possessions, and ego. That clouded vision leads to anger, greed, and cruelty, which the verse calls a demoniac nature.
Philosophically, the line is descriptive rather than purely judgmental: it shows how wrong knowledge and choices pull a person away from wisdom. Recovery is possible by removing ignorance and practicing right understanding.
Life Application
- Pause and ask before acting: is this choice based on long-term values or short-lived desire?
- Make time for simple practices—study, quiet reflection, or good company—that clear confused thinking.
- Replace reactive habits (anger, greed, harm) with small acts of service and honesty to shift your nature.
Reflection Question
When I feel pulled by strong desire or anger, do I choose what lasts or what feels good in the moment?