The second of the three "internal modes" is samvit-sakti (cit)—the
Lords "knowledge" potency.

It is between this energy and the external energy (maya), that the
marginal energy—the living entities (jivas), exist . It is understood
that the marginal energy is emanating from the samvit-sakti. It is
this potency through which the Lord "knows Himself and causes others
to know Him" as well. When the jivas are covered by maya, they forget
the Lord and their eternal relationship with Him, and become eternally
conditioned (nitya-baddha) in the darkness of her existence.

Because the Lord is omnipotent, He is fully cognizant without
restriction—knowing everything everywhere. The jivas on the other
hand, are limited in their cognition, due to innumerable impediments.
"The cognition of the living beings has three divisions: direct
knowledge, indirect knowledge and perverted knowledge."

Perverted knowledge is the perception of the phenomenal world through
the materially contaminated "knowledge acquiring senses" (namely: the
ears, eyes, nose, tongue, and skin). This adulteration causes
forgetfulness of ones original nature, and forces one into a life of
illusion.

Indirect knowledge, though more perfect, is considered a negative
cognition due to its acquisition through adulterated senses.
Impersonal and monistic reality is discovered by this means—through
astanga-yoga, etc.

Direct knowledge is realization of the Personality of Godhead, which
becomes possible only "when the samvit factor of cognition is
enlightened by the hladini potency of the same internal energy."

Knowledge of both the noumenal and phenomenal worlds is made possible
by the samvit-sakti.

Bhava Dasa (ACBSP)
bhavadasa@...


1. SB 10.87.20 - Purport
2. Adi 4.62 - Purport
3. SB 10.87.32 - Purport
4. Adi 4.67 - Purport
5. Krsna's internal pleasure potency, headed by Srimati Radharani.
6. Adi 4.67 - Purport
7. SB 5.12.8 - Purport