Greater is the affliction of those whose mind is attached to the unmanifest, for the goal of the unmanifest is attained with difficulty by the embodied.

Kṛṣṇa explains why the impersonal path is more arduous: the human mind (cetas) is conditioned by the senses to relate to concrete forms. Trying to meditate on the avyakta (formless) generates kleśa — additional suffering.

The word dehavadbhiḥ — “by those who possess a body” — is key. While we are embodied, we need support points for meditation. Absolute void is inaccessible to conditioned consciousness.

The Sāṅkhya Kārikā (II.21) recognizes this difficulty: “The subtle is perceived through form.” Kṛṣṇa’s personal form acts as a vehicle (yantra) toward the formless.