Gita Chapter 7 Verse 19 (bahunaam janamnaam ante) - What does it convey?

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Bhagavad Gita 7:19

Gita 7:19 is a verse with a profound meaning. Before we elaborate it, read the verse below.

बहूनाम् जन्मनाम् अन्ते ज्ञानवान् माम् प्रपद्यते।
वासुदेवः सर्वम् इति सः महात्मा सुदुर्लभः।।

Transliteration: Bahunaam, Janamnaam ante, gyanvaan, maam prapadhyte. Vasudev sarvam iti sah mahatma sudurlabh

Translation: "After many births, a knowledgeable person worships me. Understanding that Vaasudev is everything, a great soul imparting this wisdom is very rare."

Explanation Based on True Spiritual Knowledge

Who is the Speaker?
The speaker of the Bhagavad Gita is not the Supreme God but a mortal deity who is bound by the laws of birth and death. In Bhagavad Gita 2:12, 4:5, and 10:2, the speaker himself confirms that he has taken multiple births, proving that he is not eternal. His name is Kaal (Brahm) who reveals his identity in 11:32.
Who is 'Vaasudev' Here?
Many interpret Vaasudev as Lord Krishna, but this is not the true meaning. In reality Vaasudev actually was name of father of Shri Krishna. The term Vaasudev here refers to the Supreme God who nurtures the whole creation. He is the immortal God mentioned in 2:17, 18:62, 15:17 and many other verses of Gita. According to Vedas and other scriptures, this Supreme God is Kavir Dev (Kabir Saheb), who is the creator of all universes.
The Rare Realization
This verse states that after countless births, a true knowledgeable person (Gyanvan) worships Kaal Brahm (the knowledge giver god of Gita). However, such a learned soul or a Guru (Mahatma) who imparts this wisdom that Supreme God (Vaasudev) is above everything, is extremely rare (sudurlabh). This implies that the majority of people remain trapped in ignorance and do not attain the real Supreme God due to lack of a tatvadarshi (God realised) saint.
The Supreme Lord
- In Rig Veda Mandal 9 Sukt 96 Mantra 17-18, it is mentioned that the Supreme God who imparts knowledge in a poetic form is Kavir Dev.
- Bhagavad Gita 8:9 mentions Kavim, being the Almighty God which refers to Kavir Dev (Kabir Saheb) again.
- Bhagavad Gita 15:17 speaks of a Supreme God beyond even the perishable (Kshar Purush) and imperishable (Akshar Purush) realms.

Commentary: The widespread worship of Shri Krishna in India and abroad contradicts the statement in Bhagavad Gita 7:19, which says that rarely does anyone worship "Me." Since Shri Krishna's worship is not rare, this verse must be understood correctly. The speaker of the Gita (Brahm) is referring to himself when he says, rarely anyone worships him which is true because no one knows about Brahm. Additionally, he emphasizes that the saint who imparts knowledge about the Supreme God (distinct to the speaker of Gita) is extremely rare to find.

Conclusion

This verse from Bhagavad Gita 7:19 is not referring to Lord Krishna when he says "rarely someone worships me". The speaker of Gita is Kaal Brahm who says that the Saint who can reveal the secret of the Supreme God is extremely rare to find.