Gita 7.25
Jnana Vijnana Yoga
नाहं प्रकाशः सर्वस्य योगमायासमावृतः । मूढोऽयं नाभिजानाति लोको मामजमव्ययम् ॥
nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ | mūḍho 'yaṁ nābhijānāti loko mām ajam avyayam ||
In essence: God deliberately veils Himself through yoga-maya—not to deceive, but to preserve the sacred play of seeking and finding.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Why would God hide? If He wants to be known, why create a veil at all?"
Guru: "Does a parent reveal all adult knowledge to a toddler at once? Or does understanding unfold as the child matures?"
Sadhak: "But God is all-powerful. He could mature us instantly."
Guru: "Could He? Without struggle, could there be strength? Without seeking, could there be finding? Instant revelation would produce robots, not lovers."
Sadhak: "So the veil is for our benefit?"
Guru: "The veil creates the game. In every game worth playing, the goal isn't immediately attained. That's what makes it meaningful. Yoga-maya is the Divine playing hide-and-seek, and every genuine seeker is invited to play."
Sadhak: "But the verse calls the world 'deluded.' That sounds like condemnation."
Guru: "It's diagnosis, not condemnation. A doctor saying 'you have a fever' isn't insulting you—they're identifying what can be treated. Delusion is the world's current condition, not its sentence."
Sadhak: "How does one see through yoga-maya? If it's God's own power, how can anyone penetrate it?"
Guru: "By the same power—by yoga. Maya veils; yoga unveils. The practice of connection gradually thins the veil. That's why it's called yoga-maya—it can be undone by yoga."
Sadhak: "Is there a point where the veil lifts completely?"
Guru: "For the realized being, yes. What remains is lila—divine play. The veil becomes transparent but doesn't disappear. The liberated soul sees through it while appreciating its beauty. They're no longer fooled but still delighted."
Sadhak: "So yoga-maya isn't enemy but teacher?"
Guru: "Exactly. It's the Divine's way of saying: 'Earn the seeing. Grow the eyes. Then we'll meet face to face.'"
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🌅 Daily Practice
Meditate on the concept of 'divine hiding.' Sit quietly and consider: the Infinite is fully present right now but veiled. Instead of frustration at the veil, feel into its purpose. It creates the space for your seeking. If everything were revealed, there'd be nothing to discover. The veil is the Divine saying 'find Me.' Let your practice today be infused with this spirit of sacred hide-and-seek—you are the seeker, and the game is designed for you to eventually win.
When you encounter beauty, pause and recognize: this is the veil thinning momentarily. When you feel love, recognize: the Divine is peeking through. When you experience genuine insight, recognize: yoga-maya is becoming transparent for an instant. Throughout the day, collect these 'thin veil' moments. The practice reveals that the veil isn't solid—it has countless openings for those with eyes to see.
Journal on your relationship with divine hiddenness. How do you feel about God being veiled? Is there frustration? Longing? Acceptance? Notice that the longing itself proves you sense what's hidden—you couldn't long for something you had no inkling of. The very ache for the Divine is evidence that yoga-maya is already thinning for you. End with gratitude: 'Thank you for the veil that creates my seeking, and thank you for the seeking that will dissolve the veil.'