(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Defines “faithful” – One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection.
(b) How to attain faith – Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt).
(c) Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay – One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses.
Text 4.40
THEME : Faithless cannot attain the perfection of God consciousness.
Learnings from Purport 4.40
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Defines “faithful” – One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection.
(b) How to attain faith – Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt).
(c) Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay – One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses.
Text 4.40
THEME : Faithless cannot attain the perfection of God consciousness.
Learnings from Purport 4.40
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) There is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge
Ignorance is the cause of bondage
Knowledge is the cause of liberation
(b) Knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service
Such a person enjoys peace within himself
Does not search for peace elsewhere
(c) The last word in Bhagavad-gita:
Knowledge and peace culminate in Krishna consciousness
Text 4.39
THEME : Who can acquire transcendental knowledge – The faithful, with dedication and sense control.
Learnings from Purport 4.39
(a) Defines “faithful” – One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection.
(b) How to attain faith – Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt).
(c) Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay – One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses.
Text 4.40
THEME : Faithless cannot attain the perfection of God consciousness.
Learnings from Purport 4.40
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) There is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge
Ignorance is the cause of bondage
Knowledge is the cause of liberation
(b) Knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service
Such a person enjoys peace within himself
Does not search for peace elsewhere
(c) The last word in Bhagavad-gita:
Knowledge and peace culminate in Krishna consciousness
Text 4.39
THEME : Who can acquire transcendental knowledge – The faithful, with dedication and sense control.
Learnings from Purport 4.39
(a) Defines “faithful” – One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection.
(b) How to attain faith – Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt).
(c) Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay – One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses.
Text 4.40
THEME : Faithless cannot attain the perfection of God consciousness.
Learnings from Purport 4.40
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Analogy: Knowledge compared to fire – burns all reactions to material activities
(b) Two types of reactions: pious and impious; priori and posteriori (Ref. Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad) – both burnt
(c) 4 stages of reaction – All are burnt by transcendental knowledge 1. Reaction in the making 2. Reaction fructifying 3. Reaction already achieved 4. Reaction a priori
Text 4.38
THEME : One achieves self-realization as the mature fruit of all mysticism and finally gets devotional service.
Learnings from Purport 4.38
(a) There is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge
Ignorance is the cause of bondage
Knowledge is the cause of liberation
(b) Knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service
Such a person enjoys peace within himself
Does not search for peace elsewhere
(c) The last word in Bhagavad-gita:
Knowledge and peace culminate in Krishna consciousness
Text 4.39
THEME : Who can acquire transcendental knowledge – The faithful, with dedication and sense control.
Learnings from Purport 4.39
(a) Defines “faithful” – One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection.
(b) How to attain faith – Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt).
(c) Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay – One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses.
Text 4.40
THEME : Faithless cannot attain the perfection of God consciousness.
Learnings from Purport 4.40
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Analogy: Knowledge compared to fire – burns all reactions to material activities
(b) Two types of reactions: pious and impious; priori and posteriori (Ref. Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad) – both burnt
(c) 4 stages of reaction – All are burnt by transcendental knowledge 1. Reaction in the making 2. Reaction fructifying 3. Reaction already achieved 4. Reaction a priori
Text 4.38
THEME : One achieves self-realization as the mature fruit of all mysticism and finally gets devotional service.
Learnings from Purport 4.38
(a) There is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge
Ignorance is the cause of bondage
Knowledge is the cause of liberation
(b) Knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service
Such a person enjoys peace within himself
Does not search for peace elsewhere
(c) The last word in Bhagavad-gita:
Knowledge and peace culminate in Krishna consciousness
Text 4.39
THEME : Who can acquire transcendental knowledge – The faithful, with dedication and sense control.
Learnings from Purport 4.39
(a) Defines “faithful” – One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection.
(b) How to attain faith – Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt).
(c) Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay – One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses.
Text 4.40
THEME : Faithless cannot attain the perfection of God consciousness.
Learnings from Purport 4.40
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Analogies:
Knowledge compared to boat – Material world is compared to an ocean, even an expert swimmer cannot swim across the ocean but has to be lifted out of the ocean by a suitable boat.
Material world is also compared to blazing forest fire.
Text 4.37
THEME : By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions.
Learnings from Purport 4.37
(a) Analogy: Knowledge compared to fire – burns all reactions to material activities
(b) Two types of reactions: pious and impious; priori and posteriori (Ref. Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad) – both burnt
(c) 4 stages of reaction – All are burnt by transcendental knowledge 1. Reaction in the making 2. Reaction fructifying 3. Reaction already achieved 4. Reaction a priori
Text 4.38
THEME : One achieves self-realization as the mature fruit of all mysticism and finally gets devotional service.
Learnings from Purport 4.38
(a) There is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge
Ignorance is the cause of bondage
Knowledge is the cause of liberation
(b) Knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service
Such a person enjoys peace within himself
Does not search for peace elsewhere
(c) The last word in Bhagavad-gita:
Knowledge and peace culminate in Krishna consciousness
Text 4.39
THEME : Who can acquire transcendental knowledge – The faithful, with dedication and sense control.
Learnings from Purport 4.39
(a) Defines “faithful” – One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection.
(b) How to attain faith – Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt).
(c) Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay – One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses.
Text 4.40
THEME : Faithless cannot attain the perfection of God consciousness.
Learnings from Purport 4.40
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Analogies:
Knowledge compared to boat – Material world is compared to an ocean, even an expert swimmer cannot swim across the ocean but has to be lifted out of the ocean by a suitable boat.
Material world is also compared to blazing forest fire.
Text 4.37
THEME : By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions.
Learnings from Purport 4.37
(a) Analogy: Knowledge compared to fire – burns all reactions to material activities
(b) Two types of reactions: pious and impious; priori and posteriori (Ref. Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad) – both burnt
(c) 4 stages of reaction – All are burnt by transcendental knowledge 1. Reaction in the making 2. Reaction fructifying 3. Reaction already achieved 4. Reaction a priori
Text 4.38
THEME : One achieves self-realization as the mature fruit of all mysticism and finally gets devotional service.
Learnings from Purport 4.38
(a) There is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge
Ignorance is the cause of bondage
Knowledge is the cause of liberation
(b) Knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service
Such a person enjoys peace within himself
Does not search for peace elsewhere
(c) The last word in Bhagavad-gita:
Knowledge and peace culminate in Krishna consciousness
Text 4.39
THEME : Who can acquire transcendental knowledge – The faithful, with dedication and sense control.
Learnings from Purport 4.39
(a) Defines “faithful” – One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection.
(b) How to attain faith – Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt).
(c) Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay – One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses.
Text 4.40
THEME : Faithless cannot attain the perfection of God consciousness.
Learnings from Purport 4.40
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Result of receiving knowledge from a self-realized soul
One learns that all living entities are parts and parcels of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(b) What is ‘Maya’
Sense of an existence separate from Krishna is called ‘maya’
Also to think that we have nothing to do with Krishna who is just a great historical personality and Absolute is only the impersonal Brahman o Refutation: ▪ Impersonal Brahman is the effulgence of Krishna (Based on Bg. 4.27) ▪ Krishna is the cause of all causes, even the cause of millions of incarnations and all the living entities (Ref. Brahma Samhita 5.1)
(c) Material thought of Mayavadis
Argument: Wrongly think that Krishna loses His own separate existence in His many expansions; This thought is material in nature
Refutation: Failure of Mayavadis to understand the meaning of the Absolute o Material understanding is that, when a thing is fragmentally distributed, it loses its own original identity. o But “Absolute Truth” means: “1+1=1” and “1-1=1”.
(d) Example of “Maya” – Arjuna’s thoughts of temporary bodily conception
To think oneself separate from Krishna under illusion
To come under the bodily conception and recognize with the bodily relationships
(e) What does liberation / freedom from illusion mean – to know constitution as eternal servitor
Only way to get get such pure knowledge – Only from bona-fide spiritual master
Meaning of ‘Mukti’ – Ref. SB 2.10.6
(f) What is the entire teaching of the Bhagavad-gita targeted towards –
Living entity is an eternal servitor
Cannot be separated from Krishna at any time
Any sense of identify apart from Krishna is maya
(g) What is the level of perfect knowledge – Supreme soul Krishna, is the supreme shelter of all living beings.
Text 4.36
THEME : By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners.
Learnings from Purport 4.36
(a) Analogies:
Knowledge compared to boat – Material world is compared to an ocean, even an expert swimmer cannot swim across the ocean but has to be lifted out of the ocean by a suitable boat.
Material world is also compared to blazing forest fire.
Text 4.37
THEME : By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions.
Learnings from Purport 4.37
(a) Analogy: Knowledge compared to fire – burns all reactions to material activities
(b) Two types of reactions: pious and impious; priori and posteriori (Ref. Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad) – both burnt
(c) 4 stages of reaction – All are burnt by transcendental knowledge 1. Reaction in the making 2. Reaction fructifying 3. Reaction already achieved 4. Reaction a priori
Text 4.38
THEME : One achieves self-realization as the mature fruit of all mysticism and finally gets devotional service.
Learnings from Purport 4.38
(a) There is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge
Ignorance is the cause of bondage
Knowledge is the cause of liberation
(b) Knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service
Such a person enjoys peace within himself
Does not search for peace elsewhere
(c) The last word in Bhagavad-gita:
Knowledge and peace culminate in Krishna consciousness
Text 4.39
THEME : Who can acquire transcendental knowledge – The faithful, with dedication and sense control.
Learnings from Purport 4.39
(a) Defines “faithful” – One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection.
(b) How to attain faith – Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt).
(c) Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay – One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses.
Text 4.40
THEME : Faithless cannot attain the perfection of God consciousness.
Learnings from Purport 4.40
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Result of receiving knowledge from a self-realized soul
One learns that all living entities are parts and parcels of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(b) What is ‘Maya’
Sense of an existence separate from Krishna is called ‘maya’
Also to think that we have nothing to do with Krishna who is just a great historical personality and Absolute is only the impersonal Brahman o Refutation: ▪ Impersonal Brahman is the effulgence of Krishna (Based on Bg. 4.27) ▪ Krishna is the cause of all causes, even the cause of millions of incarnations and all the living entities (Ref. Brahma Samhita 5.1)
(c) Material thought of Mayavadis
Argument: Wrongly think that Krishna loses His own separate existence in His many expansions; This thought is material in nature
Refutation: Failure of Mayavadis to understand the meaning of the Absolute o Material understanding is that, when a thing is fragmentally distributed, it loses its own original identity. o But “Absolute Truth” means: “1+1=1” and “1-1=1”.
(d) Example of “Maya” – Arjuna’s thoughts of temporary bodily conception
To think oneself separate from Krishna under illusion
To come under the bodily conception and recognize with the bodily relationships
(e) What does liberation / freedom from illusion mean – to know constitution as eternal servitor
Only way to get get such pure knowledge – Only from bona-fide spiritual master
Meaning of ‘Mukti’ – Ref. SB 2.10.6
(f) What is the entire teaching of the Bhagavad-gita targeted towards –
Living entity is an eternal servitor
Cannot be separated from Krishna at any time
Any sense of identify apart from Krishna is maya
(g) What is the level of perfect knowledge – Supreme soul Krishna, is the supreme shelter of all living beings.
Text 4.36
THEME : By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners.
Learnings from Purport 4.36
(a) Analogies:
Knowledge compared to boat – Material world is compared to an ocean, even an expert swimmer cannot swim across the ocean but has to be lifted out of the ocean by a suitable boat.
Material world is also compared to blazing forest fire.
Text 4.37
THEME : By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions.
Learnings from Purport 4.37
(a) Analogy: Knowledge compared to fire – burns all reactions to material activities
(b) Two types of reactions: pious and impious; priori and posteriori (Ref. Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad) – both burnt
(c) 4 stages of reaction – All are burnt by transcendental knowledge 1. Reaction in the making 2. Reaction fructifying 3. Reaction already achieved 4. Reaction a priori
Text 4.38
THEME : One achieves self-realization as the mature fruit of all mysticism and finally gets devotional service.
Learnings from Purport 4.38
(a) There is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge
Ignorance is the cause of bondage
Knowledge is the cause of liberation
(b) Knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service
Such a person enjoys peace within himself
Does not search for peace elsewhere
(c) The last word in Bhagavad-gita:
Knowledge and peace culminate in Krishna consciousness
Text 4.39
THEME : Who can acquire transcendental knowledge – The faithful, with dedication and sense control.
Learnings from Purport 4.39
(a) Defines “faithful” – One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection.
(b) How to attain faith – Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt).
(c) Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay – One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses.
Text 4.40
THEME : Faithless cannot attain the perfection of God consciousness.
Learnings from Purport 4.40
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Bona fide path of religion
Only that religion which comes from Lord and His disciplic succession (Ref. SB. 6.3.19 “dharmam tu…”)
Manufacturing one’s own process is the fashion of foolish pretenders
(b) Non bona fide paths – mental speculations, dry arguments, independent study of books
(c) Secret of progress – Satisfaction of self-realized spiritual master
(d) Proper combination for spiritual understanding – Inquiry and submission
(e) How inquiries are effective – By submission and service
One must be able to pass the test of the spiritual master, and when he sees the genuine desire of the disciple, he automatically blesses the disciple with genuine understanding.
When the student is submissive and always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquires become perfect.
(f) Text 4.34 condemns blind following and absurd inquiries.
Text 4.35 – 4.38
COMMON THEME : Rewards/Glories of transcendental knowledge thus attained from spiritual master.
Text 4.35
THEME : One will obtain knowledge and realization that all living entities are a part of Brahman. With such vision one will never fall into illusion.
Learnings from Purport 4.35
(a) Result of receiving knowledge from a self-realized soul
One learns that all living entities are parts and parcels of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(b) What is ‘Maya’
Sense of an existence separate from Krishna is called ‘maya’
Also to think that we have nothing to do with Krishna who is just a great historical personality and Absolute is only the impersonal Brahman o Refutation: ▪ Impersonal Brahman is the effulgence of Krishna (Based on Bg. 4.27) ▪ Krishna is the cause of all causes, even the cause of millions of incarnations and all the living entities (Ref. Brahma Samhita 5.1)
(c) Material thought of Mayavadis
Argument: Wrongly think that Krishna loses His own separate existence in His many expansions; This thought is material in nature
Refutation: Failure of Mayavadis to understand the meaning of the Absolute o Material understanding is that, when a thing is fragmentally distributed, it loses its own original identity. o But “Absolute Truth” means: “1+1=1” and “1-1=1”.
(d) Example of “Maya” – Arjuna’s thoughts of temporary bodily conception
To think oneself separate from Krishna under illusion
To come under the bodily conception and recognize with the bodily relationships
(e) What does liberation / freedom from illusion mean – to know constitution as eternal servitor
Only way to get get such pure knowledge – Only from bona-fide spiritual master
Meaning of ‘Mukti’ – Ref. SB 2.10.6
(f) What is the entire teaching of the Bhagavad-gita targeted towards –
Living entity is an eternal servitor
Cannot be separated from Krishna at any time
Any sense of identify apart from Krishna is maya
(g) What is the level of perfect knowledge – Supreme soul Krishna, is the supreme shelter of all living beings.
Text 4.36
THEME : By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners.
Learnings from Purport 4.36
(a) Analogies:
Knowledge compared to boat – Material world is compared to an ocean, even an expert swimmer cannot swim across the ocean but has to be lifted out of the ocean by a suitable boat.
Material world is also compared to blazing forest fire.
Text 4.37
THEME : By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions.
Learnings from Purport 4.37
(a) Analogy: Knowledge compared to fire – burns all reactions to material activities
(b) Two types of reactions: pious and impious; priori and posteriori (Ref. Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad) – both burnt
(c) 4 stages of reaction – All are burnt by transcendental knowledge 1. Reaction in the making 2. Reaction fructifying 3. Reaction already achieved 4. Reaction a priori
Text 4.38
THEME : One achieves self-realization as the mature fruit of all mysticism and finally gets devotional service.
Learnings from Purport 4.38
(a) There is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge
Ignorance is the cause of bondage
Knowledge is the cause of liberation
(b) Knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service
Such a person enjoys peace within himself
Does not search for peace elsewhere
(c) The last word in Bhagavad-gita:
Knowledge and peace culminate in Krishna consciousness
Text 4.39
THEME : Who can acquire transcendental knowledge – The faithful, with dedication and sense control.
Learnings from Purport 4.39
(a) Defines “faithful” – One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection.
(b) How to attain faith – Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt).
(c) Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay – One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses.
Text 4.40
THEME : Faithless cannot attain the perfection of God consciousness.
Learnings from Purport 4.40
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
(a) Bona fide path of religion
Only that religion which comes from Lord and His disciplic succession (Ref. SB. 6.3.19 “dharmam tu…”)
Manufacturing one’s own process is the fashion of foolish pretenders
(b) Non bona fide paths – mental speculations, dry arguments, independent study of books
(c) Secret of progress – Satisfaction of self-realized spiritual master
(d) Proper combination for spiritual understanding – Inquiry and submission
(e) How inquiries are effective – By submission and service
One must be able to pass the test of the spiritual master, and when he sees the genuine desire of the disciple, he automatically blesses the disciple with genuine understanding.
When the student is submissive and always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquires become perfect.
(f) Text 4.34 condemns blind following and absurd inquiries.
Text 4.35 – 4.38
COMMON THEME : Rewards/Glories of transcendental knowledge thus attained from spiritual master.
Text 4.35
THEME : One will obtain knowledge and realization that all living entities are a part of Brahman. With such vision one will never fall into illusion.
Learnings from Purport 4.35
(a) Result of receiving knowledge from a self-realized soul
One learns that all living entities are parts and parcels of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(b) What is ‘Maya’
Sense of an existence separate from Krishna is called ‘maya’
Also to think that we have nothing to do with Krishna who is just a great historical personality and Absolute is only the impersonal Brahman o Refutation: ▪ Impersonal Brahman is the effulgence of Krishna (Based on Bg. 4.27) ▪ Krishna is the cause of all causes, even the cause of millions of incarnations and all the living entities (Ref. Brahma Samhita 5.1)
(c) Material thought of Mayavadis
Argument: Wrongly think that Krishna loses His own separate existence in His many expansions; This thought is material in nature
Refutation: Failure of Mayavadis to understand the meaning of the Absolute o Material understanding is that, when a thing is fragmentally distributed, it loses its own original identity. o But “Absolute Truth” means: “1+1=1” and “1-1=1”.
(d) Example of “Maya” – Arjuna’s thoughts of temporary bodily conception
To think oneself separate from Krishna under illusion
To come under the bodily conception and recognize with the bodily relationships
(e) What does liberation / freedom from illusion mean – to know constitution as eternal servitor
Only way to get get such pure knowledge – Only from bona-fide spiritual master
Meaning of ‘Mukti’ – Ref. SB 2.10.6
(f) What is the entire teaching of the Bhagavad-gita targeted towards –
Living entity is an eternal servitor
Cannot be separated from Krishna at any time
Any sense of identify apart from Krishna is maya
(g) What is the level of perfect knowledge – Supreme soul Krishna, is the supreme shelter of all living beings.
Text 4.36
THEME : By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners.
Learnings from Purport 4.36
(a) Analogies:
Knowledge compared to boat – Material world is compared to an ocean, even an expert swimmer cannot swim across the ocean but has to be lifted out of the ocean by a suitable boat.
Material world is also compared to blazing forest fire.
Text 4.37
THEME : By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions.
Learnings from Purport 4.37
(a) Analogy: Knowledge compared to fire – burns all reactions to material activities
(b) Two types of reactions: pious and impious; priori and posteriori (Ref. Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad) – both burnt
(c) 4 stages of reaction – All are burnt by transcendental knowledge 1. Reaction in the making 2. Reaction fructifying 3. Reaction already achieved 4. Reaction a priori
Text 4.38
THEME : One achieves self-realization as the mature fruit of all mysticism and finally gets devotional service.
Learnings from Purport 4.38
(a) There is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge
Ignorance is the cause of bondage
Knowledge is the cause of liberation
(b) Knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service
Such a person enjoys peace within himself
Does not search for peace elsewhere
(c) The last word in Bhagavad-gita:
Knowledge and peace culminate in Krishna consciousness
Text 4.39
THEME : Who can acquire transcendental knowledge – The faithful, with dedication and sense control.
Learnings from Purport 4.39
(a) Defines “faithful” – One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection.
(b) How to attain faith – Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt).
(c) Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay – One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses.
Text 4.40
THEME : Faithless cannot attain the perfection of God consciousness.
Learnings from Purport 4.40
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
CONCLUSION (4.34 – 4.42)
LINK WITH PREVIOUS SECTION : Duty and sacrifices must be done in knowledge (4.33). How to acquire such knowledge? – answered in Text 4.34 onwards.
Text 4.34
THEME : Approach bona-fide spiritual master – Acquire transcendental knowledge by enquiry, submission and service.
Learnings from Purport 4.34
(a) Bona fide path of religion
Only that religion which comes from Lord and His disciplic succession (Ref. SB. 6.3.19 “dharmam tu…”)
Manufacturing one’s own process is the fashion of foolish pretenders
(b) Non bona fide paths – mental speculations, dry arguments, independent study of books
(c) Secret of progress – Satisfaction of self-realized spiritual master
(d) Proper combination for spiritual understanding – Inquiry and submission
(e) How inquiries are effective – By submission and service
One must be able to pass the test of the spiritual master, and when he sees the genuine desire of the disciple, he automatically blesses the disciple with genuine understanding.
When the student is submissive and always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquires become perfect.
(f) Text 4.34 condemns blind following and absurd inquiries.
Text 4.35 – 4.38
COMMON THEME : Rewards/Glories of transcendental knowledge thus attained from spiritual master.
Text 4.35
THEME : One will obtain knowledge and realization that all living entities are a part of Brahman. With such vision one will never fall into illusion.
Learnings from Purport 4.35
(a) Result of receiving knowledge from a self-realized soul
One learns that all living entities are parts and parcels of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(b) What is ‘Maya’
Sense of an existence separate from Krishna is called ‘maya’
Also to think that we have nothing to do with Krishna who is just a great historical personality and Absolute is only the impersonal Brahman o Refutation: ▪ Impersonal Brahman is the effulgence of Krishna (Based on Bg. 4.27) ▪ Krishna is the cause of all causes, even the cause of millions of incarnations and all the living entities (Ref. Brahma Samhita 5.1)
(c) Material thought of Mayavadis
Argument: Wrongly think that Krishna loses His own separate existence in His many expansions; This thought is material in nature
Refutation: Failure of Mayavadis to understand the meaning of the Absolute o Material understanding is that, when a thing is fragmentally distributed, it loses its own original identity. o But “Absolute Truth” means: “1+1=1” and “1-1=1”.
(d) Example of “Maya” – Arjuna’s thoughts of temporary bodily conception
To think oneself separate from Krishna under illusion
To come under the bodily conception and recognize with the bodily relationships
(e) What does liberation / freedom from illusion mean – to know constitution as eternal servitor
Only way to get get such pure knowledge – Only from bona-fide spiritual master
Meaning of ‘Mukti’ – Ref. SB 2.10.6
(f) What is the entire teaching of the Bhagavad-gita targeted towards –
Living entity is an eternal servitor
Cannot be separated from Krishna at any time
Any sense of identify apart from Krishna is maya
(g) What is the level of perfect knowledge – Supreme soul Krishna, is the supreme shelter of all living beings.
Text 4.36
THEME : By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners.
Learnings from Purport 4.36
(a) Analogies:
Knowledge compared to boat – Material world is compared to an ocean, even an expert swimmer cannot swim across the ocean but has to be lifted out of the ocean by a suitable boat.
Material world is also compared to blazing forest fire.
Text 4.37
THEME : By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions.
Learnings from Purport 4.37
(a) Analogy: Knowledge compared to fire – burns all reactions to material activities
(b) Two types of reactions: pious and impious; priori and posteriori (Ref. Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad) – both burnt
(c) 4 stages of reaction – All are burnt by transcendental knowledge 1. Reaction in the making 2. Reaction fructifying 3. Reaction already achieved 4. Reaction a priori
Text 4.38
THEME : One achieves self-realization as the mature fruit of all mysticism and finally gets devotional service.
Learnings from Purport 4.38
(a) There is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge
Ignorance is the cause of bondage
Knowledge is the cause of liberation
(b) Knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service
Such a person enjoys peace within himself
Does not search for peace elsewhere
(c) The last word in Bhagavad-gita:
Knowledge and peace culminate in Krishna consciousness
Text 4.39
THEME : Who can acquire transcendental knowledge – The faithful, with dedication and sense control.
Learnings from Purport 4.39
(a) Defines “faithful” – One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection.
(b) How to attain faith – Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt).
(c) Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay – One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses.
Text 4.40
THEME : Faithless cannot attain the perfection of God consciousness.
Learnings from Purport 4.40
(a) Best of all standard and authoritative revealed scriptures – “Bhagavad-gita”
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed scriptures.
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith.
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(c) Who is the worst – Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solution to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding.
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success.
Text 4.41
THEME : No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge.
Learnings from Purport 4.41
(a) Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita – one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”.
(b) Result of action in full Krishna consciousness
He is well established in self-knowledge.
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action.
Text 4.42
THEME : Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
Learnings from Purport 4.42
(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
(c) Two divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity – One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is.
(e) Benefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence.
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one.
(f) How to remove ignorance – By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
(i) Who is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental
SUMMARISED THEME 4C
How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39)
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Goal – to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra)
Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you
Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows : o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya o By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)