7.25 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 7, Verse 25

In this pivotal verse, Krishna reveals a profound truth about the divine and its relationship with human perception. He states plainly that He is not manifest to all; His true nature remains hidden from those described as "foolish and unintelligent.” The underlying reason for this concealment is yoga-māyā—His internal divine potency—which acts as a veil, obscuring His ultimate, eternal form from those who are not inwardly prepared or attuned to see it. This is not a question of Krishna’s unwillingness to be known, but rather a natural outcome of one's disposition and state of consciousness. The world, thus, remains largely unaware of Krishna’s unchanging, unborn nature, mistakenly perceiving Him as subject to material limitations.

The concept of yoga-māyā is central here. Unlike ordinary worldly illusion (māyā), yoga-māyā is Krishna’s own spiritual energy, which can both reveal and conceal divinity depending on the seeker’s inner orientation. For those focused on material desires or intellectual pride, this energy acts as a covering, making it impossible to access Krishna’s true nature. Such individuals may see Krishna only as a remarkable historical personality or as a manifestation of the impersonal absolute, missing His transcendental, personal essence. Their limited vision prevents them from understanding that Krishna is ajam (unborn) and avyayam (inexhaustible), existing beyond the cycle of birth, death, and change that governs ordinary beings.

Through this verse, Krishna brings to light the subtle mechanics of spiritual realization. He asserts that true perception of divinity is not guaranteed by birth, status, or even intellectual effort. Instead, it is the sincerity of one's heart, the willingness to surrender, and the openness to genuine devotion that become the keys to unlocking the divine vision. Krishna’s transcendental form, qualities, and activities are eternally present, but are accessible only when one approaches with humility and devotion, free from the distorting influences of ego and material yearning.

This teaching also serves as a gentle rebuttal to impersonalist philosophies that regard Krishna’s form as temporary or illusory. Krishna insists that it is the lack of understanding—rooted in delusion and misperception—that leads to such conclusions. His existence is not contingent or fleeting; He is eternally manifest, but only truly visible to those who have the right disposition. The misunderstanding of His nature is the result of yoga-māyā at work, which skillfully filters the divine presence based on the receptive capacity of the seeker.

Krishna’s statement is not merely theoretical; it echoes in daily spiritual experience. Many seek the divine through scriptures, rituals, or meditation, but fail to encounter Krishna’s fullness because their efforts remain on the surface or are clouded by ulterior motives. As long as the seeker is attached to their own limited perspective or driven by personal ambition, the highest truths remain out of reach. The divine, in this sense, cannot be forced into revelation—it is always a matter of readiness, surrender, and genuine longing.

This concealment is not a punishment, but a natural spiritual law. Just as sunlight is visible only when clouds part, divinity reveals itself only when inner barriers—pride, doubt, desire—are removed. Krishna assures that His personal presence will be known only to those who genuinely seek it, rather than those who approach with a challenging or skeptical spirit. The revelation of the supreme is thus both a gift and a result of one’s conscious effort to align with deeper spiritual principles.

Through this verse, Krishna also highlights the idea that spiritual truths, much like the deepest realities of human existence, are not always accessible on demand. They unfold naturally, in their own time, as one becomes inwardly purified and receptive. The very fact that Krishna remains hidden from most is a reminder that perception is shaped as much by our internal state as by external reality. The journey towards recognizing the divine is one of ongoing self-refinement, sincerity, and humility.

Ultimately, Krishna’s words are a gentle invitation to turn inwards and examine the motives and attitudes with which we approach spiritual life. The mystery of divinity is not that Krishna is far away or inaccessible, but that He is ever-present, patiently waiting to be discovered by those whose hearts are pure and who seek Him with love and surrender. The vision of the supreme is thus not a matter of external achievement, but of inner readiness—a readiness that yoga-māyā both tests and reveals in its own subtle way.