7.24 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 7, Verse 24

In Bhagavad Gita verse 7.24, Lord Krishna addresses a profound misconception about His divine nature. He states: "The unintelligent consider that I, who am unmanifest and beyond mundane existence, take birth like an ordinary human being. They do not know the supreme, excellent, immutable and transcendental nature of My form, birth, pastimes and qualities."

This verse appears in a section where Krishna has been discussing different approaches to spirituality. After explaining about those who worship demigods or pursue material desires, He now turns His attention to those who hold an impersonal conception of the Supreme. Krishna identifies a fundamental error in their understanding – they believe that the formless, unmanifest Absolute has temporarily assumed a human-like form.

Krishna uses strong language here, referring to such people as "abuddhayaḥ" or unintelligent. This isn't meant as an insult but rather points to a critical misunderstanding about the nature of divinity. The misconception stems from their inability to comprehend that Krishna's form is not material but completely transcendental. They erroneously project material limitations onto the divine, assuming that form inherently means limitation, imperfection, and temporality.

The verse specifically addresses two philosophical perspectives: the Brahmavadis and the Mayavadis. The Brahmavadis focus on the impersonal aspect of the Divine and may simply be unaware of Krishna's personal form. The Mayavadis, however, take a more problematic position – they consider Krishna's personal form to be merely a temporary manifestation, a stepping stone to a supposedly higher, formless reality. This latter view is what Krishna most directly refutes in this verse.

Krishna emphasizes that His nature is "param bhavam" (supreme), "avyayam" (imperishable), and "anuttamam" (unsurpassed). These qualities indicate that Krishna's form and personality are eternal and transcendental, not temporary manifestations of an otherwise impersonal force. The Sanskrit term "anuttamam" is particularly significant – "uttama" means highest or best, and "an-uttamam" means that which is beyond even the highest, indicating Krishna's position as the supreme reality.

This misconception about Krishna's nature often arises from people's experiences in the material world. When we observe that all forms in our experience are limited, flawed, and temporary, we might logically conclude that the Supreme must therefore be formless to be perfect and unlimited. But Krishna points out that this reasoning fails to account for His transcendental nature, which allows Him to possess form without the limitations that material forms entail. His divine form exists beyond the constraints of material nature, making it eternal, perfect, and unlimited despite having personal qualities.

The verse ultimately highlights the importance of understanding Krishna's true nature as both personal and transcendental. By emphasizing that His form is not a temporary manifestation but His eternal reality, Krishna invites us to develop a personal relationship with Him rather than seeking an abstract, impersonal absolute. This teaching forms a cornerstone of bhakti philosophy – that the highest spiritual realization involves recognizing and loving Krishna in His personal form, rather than attempting to transcend personality altogether.