The nature of the Unmanifest specified in the Verse 3 and their explanations are given below.
Imperishable: All those which have forms and qualities are substances and all substances are perishable. That which has no quality or form cannot be perceived by sense organs and hence It is imperishable.
Indefinable: Definitions are always in terms of what is perceived. That which cannot be perceived is indefinable
Omnipresent: All pervading. The Infinite that has no qualities, that is not manifest and therefore that is not definable should necessarily be everywhere and all pervading.
Unthinkable: That which can be conceived by mind and intellect will become objects of feelings and thoughts which will always be perishable. That which cannot be conceived or comprehensible will naturally be imperishable.
Unchangeable: The Self or Consciousness remains unchanged although It is the substratum on which all changes takes place.
Immovable: Motion is a change in time-space mechanism. Movement is a change of a thing from one place and time to another place and at a different time where it is not there. As the Infinite is all pervading there cannot be a place or time where It is not there and hence It is immovable.
Eternal: That which has a change is conditioned by time and space. The Supreme being the substratum for all, at all times and all places, supports the very time and space and hence eternal
The seeker who meditates upon the unmanifest which is of the above mentioned nature has to fulfil the following three conditions mentioned in the Verse 4.
1. Having restrained all the senses – He has to avoid dissipation of his energies through the sense organs and redirect his energies so conserved in pursuit of higher thoughts. The senses are to be restrained but not rejected.
2. Even-minded in all conditions or Always equanimous – Intellectual equanimity in all conditions and situations while living in the world is a fundamental requisite for successful meditation. Maintenance of one’s own balance in spite of his favourable and unfavourable experiences while living in contact with world is called equanimity.
3. Intent on the welfare of all – He should be the one who is ever ready to serve others to the best of his abilities.
Sri Krishna says that they also who meditate on the unmanifest in the aforesaid manner reach Him; they too reach the same goal, the Supreme Self. But the Lord adds a rider here.
