7.12 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 7, Verse 12

In Bhagavad Gita verse 7.12, Lord Krishna concludes His explanation of how He pervades the entire universe by addressing the three modes of material nature. He states: "The three states of material existence—goodness, passion, and ignorance—are manifested by My energy. They are in Me, but I am beyond them."This verse serves as a summary of Krishna's previous explanations where He illustrated His omnipresence through fourteen examples. After demonstrating how He is the essence of various elements like water, light, sound, and human abilities, Krishna now addresses the fundamental modes (gunas) that govern all material existence.The Sanskrit original "ye chaiva sāttvikā bhāvā rājasās tāmasāśh cha ye, matta eveti tān viddhi na tvahaṁ teṣhu te mayi" conveys a profound philosophical concept. Krishna explains that all states of being—whether characterized by goodness (sattva), passion (rajas), or ignorance (tamas)—originate from Him as the Supreme source. These modes constitute the fabric of material existence and are responsible for all manifestations in the physical world.However, Krishna makes a crucial distinction in the second part of the verse. While stating that these modes come from Him, He clarifies that He is not subject to their influence. The phrase "na tvahaṁ teṣhu te mayi" indicates that although these modes originate from Krishna, He remains transcendent to them. It's similar to how a potter creates clay pots but doesn't become the pot himself. Krishna is the source of these modes but remains unaffected by them, highlighting His transcendental position beyond material nature.This concept addresses a potential philosophical confusion—if everything comes from God, including the negative aspects of material existence, does that mean God is also subject to these limitations? Krishna clarifies that while all states of existence emanate from His energy, He remains independent and beyond their influence. As the English poet Alfred Tennyson beautifully expressed in his poem "In Memorium": "Our little systems have their day; They have their day and cease to be. They are but broken lights of thee, And thou, O Lord, art more than they."The verse reveals Krishna's unique position as both immanent (present within creation) and transcendent (beyond creation). He is simultaneously the source of everything and yet distinct from everything. This paradoxical nature of the Divine is a central theme in Vedantic philosophy. Krishna pervades the entire universe as its essence, yet remains completely independent of it.In this verse, Krishna completes His explanation of how He is the foundation of existence. By clarifying that He is the source of the three modes but not bound by them, Krishna establishes His supreme position beyond material nature. This understanding is essential for spiritual practitioners who seek to transcend the influence of these modes and realize their connection with the Divine. When we recognize that Krishna is the essence of everything yet beyond everything, we begin to see the world with new eyes—recognizing the Divine presence in all aspects of existence while understanding that the Supreme remains untouched by material limitations.