7.2 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 7, Verse 2

In Bhagavad Gita 7.2, Lord Krishna makes a profound declaration to Arjuna, stating: "I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge, both phenomenal and noumenal, by knowing which there shall remain nothing further to be known." This verse marks a significant transition in Krishna's teachings, as He promises to reveal complete knowledge that encompasses both theoretical understanding (jñāna) and realized wisdom (vijñāna).

Krishna is essentially telling Arjuna that He will impart knowledge so comprehensive that once understood, nothing else will remain to be known in this world. This is not to suggest that factual details or specific information about the material world will become unnecessary, but rather that the fundamental principles governing existence will become clear. The verse introduces the seventh chapter where Krishna begins to explain His opulences and energies more fully.

The distinction between jñāna and vijñāna is crucial to understanding this verse. Jñāna refers to theoretical or phenomenal knowledge—the intellectual understanding of spiritual principles, the nature of the self, and the material world. It's comparable to reading about something in a book or hearing about it from a teacher. Vijñāna, on the other hand, represents experiential or realized knowledge—wisdom that comes from direct perception and internalization of that knowledge. It's the difference between reading about honey's sweetness and actually tasting it.

Krishna emphasizes that both forms of knowledge are necessary for complete understanding. Theoretical knowledge provides the foundation and framework, while realized knowledge transforms that information into lived experience. Together, they offer a holistic understanding of reality. This combination of knowledge is what makes spiritual realization complete—not just knowing about the truth, but experiencing it directly.

What makes Krishna's promise remarkable is His assertion that after receiving this knowledge, nothing else remains to be known. This doesn't mean one becomes omniscient about worldly details, but rather that one grasps the essential truths about existence itself. It's like understanding the source code of reality—once you know how it works at its foundation, the variations and manifestations become comprehensible within that framework.

The knowledge Krishna promises goes beyond academic learning or religious doctrine. It is transformative wisdom that changes one's perception of reality. When Krishna says He will reveal this knowledge "in full" (aśeṣataḥ), He indicates the completeness of what He's about to share. This isn't partial information or a simplified version of truth, but the complete picture of reality from the highest perspective.

This verse sets the stage for Krishna's expanded teachings in the seventh chapter and beyond, where He begins to reveal His divine nature more fully. He transitions from discussing the soul and its journey to explaining His own position as the Supreme Truth. The completeness of knowledge that Krishna promises is ultimately knowledge of Himself—understanding the source of everything is tantamount to understanding everything. Just as knowing the sun helps us understand sunlight, knowing Krishna reveals the nature of all existence that emanates from Him.