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Bhagavad Gita 7.3 — Manushyanam Sahasreshu

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ७.३ — मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Morning, during study or meditation, or when renewing one's spiritual resolve·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 3

Also known as: manushyanam sahasreshu · manushyanam sahasreshu kashchid yatati siddhaye · bhagavad gita 7.3 · gita 7 3 · rare seeker verse · kashchin mam vetti tattvatah

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Meaning

In this verse opening the seventh chapter's teaching, Krishna reveals how rare true Self-realisation is. Among thousands of people, only a rare one even strives for spiritual perfection; and among those rare strivers who attain it, only an exceptional soul comes to know Krishna in His true essence. The verse underscores the preciousness of the spiritual quest and inspires the seeker to value and pursue this rarest of attainments.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 3 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the seventh chapter, Jnana-Vijnana Yoga, Krishna begins to reveal knowledge of His divine nature combined with realisation. He prefaces this profound teaching by noting how rare it is for anyone even to seek spiritual perfection, and rarer still to truly know Him — emphasising the value of the wisdom about to be shared.

As told in scripture

It is said that the mere sincere desire to know God, awakened in one among thousands, is itself a sign of great merit accumulated over many lifetimes — and that the Lord, seeing such a rare longing, draws that soul ever closer until it knows Him in truth.

The Mantra

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मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु कश्िचद्यतति सिद्धये। यततामपि सिद्धानां कश्िचन्मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः॥

manuṣhyāṇāṁ sahasreṣhu kaśhchid yatati siddhaye yatatām api siddhānāṁ kaśhchin māṁ vetti tattvataḥ

Meaning:Among thousands of people, scarcely one strives for perfection; and even among those who strive and attain perfection, scarcely one truly knows Me in essence.

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

मनुष्याणाम्🔊manuṣhyāṇāmof men, human beings
सहस्रेषु🔊sahasreṣhuout of many thousands
कश्चित्🔊kaśhchitsomeone, a rare one
यतति🔊yatatistrives
सिद्धये🔊siddhayefor perfection
यतताम्🔊yatatāmof those who strive
अपि🔊apieven
सिद्धानाम्🔊siddhānāmof those who have achieved perfection
कश्चित्🔊kaśhchitsomeone, a rare one
माम्🔊māmme
वेत्ति🔊vettiknows
तत्त्वतः🔊tattvataḥin truth, in essence

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 7.3 — Manushyanam Sahasreshu

Reveals how rare and precious true Self-realisation is

Inspires the seeker to value the spiritual quest above all else

Encourages serious, sincere striving (sadhana) for perfection

Cultivates humility about the depth of truly knowing God

Motivates one to aspire to be among the rare souls who seek the Divine

Deepens devotion by pointing to the goal of knowing Krishna in essence

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 7.3 — Manushyanam Sahasreshu

Repetitions11times
Best TimeMorning, during study or meditation, or when renewing one's spiritual resolve

Recite this verse to rekindle aspiration for the highest goal. Reflect that the very wish to know God is itself rare and precious, and let this inspire greater sincerity in your practice. It is a wonderful verse to contemplate when motivation flags; meditate on the resolve to be among the rare seekers who strive earnestly and long to know the Lord in truth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Krishna says that out of thousands of people only a rare one even strives for spiritual perfection, and out of those who strive and succeed, only an exceptional soul truly knows Him in essence. The verse highlights how rare and valuable genuine Self-realisation is.
No, it is meant to inspire, not discourage. By showing how rare the spiritual quest is, it invites the seeker to recognise the immense value of their aspiration and to strive with even greater sincerity, knowing they are pursuing the rarest and highest goal of human life.
To know Krishna 'tattvataḥ' is to know Him in essence — not merely intellectually, but through direct realisation of His true nature as the Supreme. This is the culmination of the spiritual path, deeper even than attaining ordinary spiritual perfection.
By taking the spiritual goal seriously and practising with sincerity, devotion and perseverance. Earnest sadhana, surrender to the Lord, and a genuine longing to know Him gradually place a seeker among the rare souls who strive truly and come to know the Divine.

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