7.6 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 7, Verse 6

Verse 7.6 of the Bhagavad Gita brings forth a profound understanding of the entire fabric of existence, as Lord Krishna describes the origin and dissolution of all that we experience in the world. Krishna states that everything—be it the realm of living creatures or the world of inert matter—originates from His two fundamental energies. These energies, often referred to as the material (apara prakriti) and spiritual (para prakriti) natures, together compose the entirety of creation. It is through their interplay that the universe, with all its diversity and complexity, comes into being.

The material energy is responsible for forming all physical objects: the earth beneath our feet, the trees, the oceans, and even our own bodies. This is the field of matter, encompassing all tangible things. But matter alone cannot produce movement, thought, or life; it is inert and inactive by itself. For that, the spiritual energy must be present. This higher energy is the animating force, the consciousness that guides thought, action, and life itself. Thus, both the non-living and living elements are inseparably entwined, each serving a unique function in the cosmic design.

Krishna’s revelation here is both simple and staggering: He is the original source from which both of these energies emanate. Not only does He generate all material and spiritual manifestations, but, as He further emphasizes, everything eventually dissolves back into Him. The process of creation is, therefore, not a one-time event but an ongoing cycle in which all things rise from and ultimately merge back into their divine origin. This perspective underlines the cyclical rhythm of the universe—birth, sustenance, and dissolution are all governed by the will of the Divine.

To illustrate this, consider the example of a clay pot. The pot’s shape and form represent material energy, its transformation from mere earth into a vessel. However, the pot’s creation requires the presence of a conscious entity—a potter—whose spiritual energy shapes the form from the formless. In the same way, all objects and beings in the universe are crafted by the union of inert matter and the dynamic force of consciousness, both of which spring from Krishna Himself.

With this, Krishna makes a subtle but significant point: nothing exists independently of Him. Whether superior or inferior, complex or simple, every living being and object is a combination of His two energies. Even the mightiest entities in the universe—right from the god of creation, Brahma, to the tiniest blade of grass—owe their existence to this dual origin. The field (matter) and the knower of the field (spirit) are both rooted in His being, reinforcing His omnipresence and supreme dominion over all.

This understanding goes far beyond philosophical abstraction. It urges us to view the universe not as a disconnected collection of separate things and beings, but as a unified field of energy, all stemming from a single divine source. The implications are immense: everything is interconnected, every action and creation intertwined, because all derive their essence from Krishna. The separation we often perceive between the material and the spiritual is, in reality, a distinction created by our limited perspective, not an unbridgeable gulf.

From this vantage point, Krishna’s words serve as a gentle reminder of the sacredness that dwells within all aspects of creation. There is no entity, living or non-living, that is outside His domain or separate from His energies. This realization can shift our understanding of the world, making us see the divine presence not just in temples and scriptures but in every atom and every being. The boundaries between the mundane and the sacred begin to blur; all is infused with the presence of the Divine.

In summary, Verse 7.6 distills a cosmic truth: all that exists—matter and spirit, body and soul—finds its common origin in Krishna. He is both the point of emergence and the final destination for all of creation. The world is, therefore, a continuous dance of His energies—sometimes manifest as matter, sometimes as consciousness, always connected to and dependent upon the Divine source from which everything flows and to which everything ultimately returns.