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The Bhagavad Gita · 2 of 2 · tr. Kashinath Trimbak Telang

Chapter VII, Section 1b

Whichever form (of deity) any worshipper wishes to worship with faith, to that form I render his faith steady. Possessed Of that faith, he seeks to propitiate (the deity in) that (form), and obtains from it those beneficial things which he desires, (though they are) really given by me. But the fruit thus (obtained) by them, who have little judgment, is perishable. Those who worship the divinities go to the divinities , and my worshippers, too, go to me. The undiscerning ones, not knowing my transcendent and inexhaustible essence, than which there is nothing higher, think me, who am unperceived, to have become perceptible . Surrounded by the delusion of my mystic power , I am not manifest to all. This deluded world knows not me unborn and inexhaustible. I know, O Ar g una! the things which have been, those which are, and those which are to be. But me nobody knows. All beings, O terror of (your) foes! are deluded at the time of birth by the delusion, O descendant of Bharata! caused by the pairs of opposites arising from desire and aversion. But the men of meritorious actions, whose sins have terminated, worship me, being released from the delusion (caused) by the pairs of opposites, and being firm in their beliefs . Those who, resting on me, work for release from old age and death , know the Brahman , the whole Adhyâtma, and all action. And those who know me with the Adhibhûta, the Adhidaiva, and the Adhiya g ña, having minds devoted to abstraction, know me at the time of departure (from this world).
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Themes
Apophatic Theologytheology

Describing the divine only by negation—God transcends all positive categories and concepts; the via negativa.

The passage describes the divine essence as 'unperceived,' 'inexhaustible,' and beyond the comprehension of the undiscerning, highlighting its transcendence of categories.

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Divine Hiddennesstheology

The supreme God's radical concealment beyond ordinary knowledge or perception; the Hidden Father.

The passage centrally emphasizes that the Supreme Being is 'unperceived,' 'not manifest to all,' and known by no one due to the delusion of mystic power.

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Divine Providencetheology

Pronoia — the doctrine that the divine actively orders the unfolding of the cosmos and human affairs toward intelligible ends, against pure chance or blind necessity.

The text states that the Supreme Being actively orders human affairs by granting the fruits of worship and sustaining the faith of devotees.

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Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.

Salvation and liberation are explicitly tied to 'knowing' the Supreme Being's true nature, distinguishing those who know from the deluded masses.

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Living Godtheology

The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.

The deity is portrayed as an active, personal agent who renders faith steady, grants desires, and knows all things past, present, and future.

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Opposites Transcendedanthropology

The dissolution of binary oppositions (male/female, inner/outer, above/below) as a mark of spiritual completion.

The text explicitly states that those who worship the Supreme Being are released from the delusion caused by 'the pairs of opposites arising from desire and aversion.'

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Return To Sourcesoteriology

The soul's journey back to its divine origin, reversing the fall into matter through stages of purification or illumination.

The passage describes the ultimate goal of the devotee as going to the Supreme Being ('my worshippers... go to me') and being released from the cycle of birth and death.

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Soul Migrationcosmology

The transmigration of the soul across lives.

The mention of 'release from old age and death' and the delusion at the time of birth implies a cycle of rebirth from which one seeks liberation.

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Unity Of Beingtheology

The doctrine that all existence is ultimately one substance or one divine reality; non-duality as a theological claim.

The text asserts that all forms of worship ultimately lead to the One, who is the source of all benefits and the transcendent essence behind all divinities.

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Related passages · 4 parallels
egyptian|The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani)|Chapter 43 (part 74)
The god Nu appeareth with the breath of the north wind in this hidden god who maketh for untold millions of men the decrees which abide for ever; his decrees [1. Literally "his heart," ab-f . 2 I.e. , Shu and Tefnut. 3 I.e. , the Sun a…”
Both passages discuss the supreme deity's role in creation and the world, emphasizing the deity's transcendence and the limited understanding of humans. The Bhagavad Gita speaks of the divine essence being unperceived and the world being deluded, while the Egyptian text describes the god Nu as the primeval matter and the creator of the world, with humans being unaware of the divine origin.
western_esoteric|The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall)|The Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societies Which Have Influenced Modern Masonic Symbolismo
To the Gnostics, the Christ was the personification of Nous , the Divine Mind, and emanated from the higher spiritual Æons. He descended into the body of Jesus at the baptism and left it again before the crucifixion. The Gnostics declared…”
Both passages discuss the concept of a divine being that is beyond human comprehension and the idea of worshippers seeking different forms of the divine. The Bhagavad Gita speaks of Krishna as the ultimate reality, while the Gnostic text describes the Christ as the Divine Mind (Nous) and the emanations from the Great One. Both texts explore the theme of divine mystery and the limited understanding of humans.
western_esoteric|The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall)|The Human Body in Symbolisme
And as in the most holy of the mysteries, they say, that the mystics at first meet with the multi form, and many-shaped genera, which are hurled forth before the gods, but on entering the temple, unmoved, and guarded by the mystic rites, th…”
Both passages discuss the concept of divine illusion and the true nature of the divine. The Bhagavad Gita speaks of the delusion caused by the pairs of opposites and the unmanifest nature of the divine, while the Symbolisme passage discusses the soul's journey to perceive the divine within itself, and the illusion of the material world.
western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic II: The Ritual (Éliphas Lévi)|1. Preparationse
We must be mild and considerate to all, but in social relations must never permit ourselves to be absorbed, and must withdraw from circles in which we cannot acquire some initiative. Finally, we may and should fulfil the duties and practis…”
Both passages discuss the nature of divine worship and the ultimate reality behind various forms of devotion. The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the supreme nature of Krishna and the delusion of the world, while the Hermetic passage speaks of a universal religion that unites different forms of worship under a higher truth. Both texts highlight the idea of a transcendent reality that underlies and unifies diverse religious practices.