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1064
GĪTA-RAHASYA OR KARMA-YOGA
महर्षयः सत पूर्वे चत्वारो मनवस्तथा।
मद्भावा मानसा जाता येषां लोक इमाः प्रजाः॥६॥ * Yajña '* etc. are to be understood as the frames of mind indicating faith in those things. To proceed: the Blessed
Lord now says that(6) The seven Great Rsis, the former Four, as also the Manu-s from whom this generation was created in this loka'
(that is, world-Erans. ), are My mental ( that is, created by .the Mind'). bhāva'-s (that is,' states '-Trans. ).
[Although the words used in this stanza are easy, yet, there is great difference of opinion between the commentators about the legendary personages to whom this stanza refers. Especially the explanation as to the terms to which the words "the former and the word "Four" are to be applied, has been given by different commentators in different ways. The seven Maharsis (i. e., “Great Rsis") are well-known; but one kalpa of Brahmadeva consists of 14 Manvantaras (See Gi. Ra. p 264); and for each of these Manvantaras, the Manu, the deity, and the seven Rsis were different (See Harivamsa 1.7; Visnu. 3. 1, and Matsya. 9). Therefore, some commentators have taken the words "the former” as an adjective qualifying the Seven Maharsis"; and have explained the stanza by saying that the seven Maharsis of the Cāksusa Manvantara, that is, of the Manvantara previous to the present Vaivasvata Manvantara, are indicated here. These seven Rsis were Bhrgu and others, namely, Bhrgu, Nabha, Vivasvān, Sudhāmā, Virajā, Atināmā, and Sabisnu. But according to me, this interpretation is not correct; because, there seems no reason to say anything in this context about the seven Great Rsis in the Manyantara, previous to the present one, that is, Vaivasvata Manyantara, in which the Gītā was told. Therefore, one must take the seven Rsis to be those of the present Manvantara. Their names have been mentioned in
* The word Yajña' appears in the author's text; but I think 6 yasa' is meant, as that is the word used in this stanza of the Gītā -Trans :
