jñānaṁ te ’haṁ sa-vijñānam idaṁ vakṣhyāmyaśheṣhataḥ
yaj jñātvā neha bhūyo ’nyaj jñātavyam-avaśhiṣhyate
jñānam — knowledge;
te — unto you;
aham — I;
sa — with;
vijñānam — wisdom;
idam — this;
vakṣhyāmi — shall reveal;
aśheṣhataḥ — in full;
yat — which;
jñātvā — having known;
na — not;
iha — in this world;
bhūyaḥ — further;
anyat — anything else;
jñātavyam — to be known;
avaśhiṣhyate — remains
In this verse, Lord Krishna is telling Arjuna that He will share a complete understanding of knowledge that covers both the physical aspects of the world and the spiritual essence that lies behind everything. This means Krishna will teach Arjuna about what's real and what's beyond just what we see with our eyes.
When Krishna refers to 'knowledge both phenomenal and noumenal', he is saying that there are two kinds of knowledge:
1. **Phenomenal Knowledge**: This is the knowledge we get from our experiences with the physical world around us. It's everything we can see, touch, taste, hear, and smell—like understanding the nature of plants, animals, and the environment.
2. **Noumenal Knowledge**: This is deeper knowledge that goes beyond the surface. It involves understanding the essence or spirit behind everything, including our own lives, our purpose, and the connection to something greater than ourselves.
Krishna emphasizes the importance of 'transcendental knowledge'—knowledge that comes from a higher source. He wants Arjuna to recognize that true understanding doesn't just come from books or ordinary experiences. It comes from a connection to the divine, which is Krishna Himself. Since Arjuna is a close devotee of Krishna, he is in a perfect position to receive this knowledge directly from the Lord.
The Lord explains that those who seek real knowledge should look to the source of all wisdom, who is Krishna. This is important because many people may try to learn and find answers to spiritual questions from various sources. However, Krishna teaches that understanding the root, the ultimate source of all existence, is crucial. When you comprehend that central truth, everything else about life and existence falls into place; nothing remains unclear.
In simpler terms, Krishna is saying that if you truly understand Him and the principles He represents, everything around you will make sense. You will gain insight into your life, the universe, and your connection to everything else. This kind of wisdom is so valuable that once you grasp it, you won't need to search for other knowledge; you'll have clarity about all things.
This idea is similar to a statement from ancient scriptures which says: "by knowing that one principle, everything else becomes clear." This suggests that knowing the fundamental truth, which in this case refers to Krishna or the divine knowledge, gives you understanding about everything else in life. Once you grasp that, the complexities of life can seem simpler and more manageable because you will see how everything is connected.