APPLYING TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE (4.11 – 4.15)

LINK BETWEEN 4.14 & 4.15 : As will be mentioned in the next verse, when the jiva understands these facts about Krishna and applies this transcendental knowledge to his own work and becomes a servant of Krishna, he also becomes aloof from the material whirl of action and reaction.

Krishna has no attachment for the fruits of work. Knowing this, Arjuna should fight with faith, for Krishna’s pleasure, if he desires to become liberated. Krishna wants Arjuna to fight in knowledge of Krishna’s position and as an offering to Him. In this way Arjuna should follow the example of previous great devotees.

Text 4.15

THEME : Previous liberated souls perform their Varnasrama dharma for Krishna’s pleasure, knowing Him to be the transcendental creator of Varnasrama. Krishna advises Arjuna to do the same.

Learnings from Purport 4.15

(a) Two classes of men

Those that are ‘materially polluted’.
Those that are ‘freed from material contamination’.

(b) Krishna consciousness is equally beneficially to both classes

‘Materially polluted’ – They take to Krishna consciousness as a gradual cleansing process.
‘Freed from material contamination’ – They may continue to act in Krishna consciousness to set a perfect example.

Neophytes in Krishna consciousness want to retire from activities without having knowledge of Krishna consciousness.
E.g. Arjuna’s desire to retire from battlefield.

(d) Advice to Arjuna

To retire from battlefield and sit aloof making a show of Krishna consciousness is less important.
Follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s previous disciples such as sun-god Vivasvan.
Lord knows all His past activities as well as of persons who acted in Krishna consciousness in the past – Therefore He recommends the example of the sun-god.

(e) Who are referred here as ‘past liberated souls’ – All the previous students of Lord Krishna who engaged in the discharge of duties adopted by Krishna.

(a) Krishna creates but is unaffected by the activities of the material world, living entities are entangled because of the propensity to Lord over

Analogy: King not subject to state laws
Analogy: Proprietor not responsible for activities of workers
o Similarly Lord is not interested in any kind of material happiness, even heavenly planets just like a proprietor is not interested in the low grade happiness of the workers.

(b) Lord is aloof from material actions and reactions

e.g. Rains not responsible for different types of vegetations, although without rains, there is no possibility of vegetative growth
Lord only gives facilities through material nature, living entity is responsible
Ref. Vedic Smrti: Lord is only the Supreme cause, the immediate cause is material nature
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Lord is never partial to any living entity, but living entity is responsible for his own acts; Lord only gives the facilities through material nature.

One who understands this transcendental nature of the Lord is an experienced man
Such a person fully conversant with all the intricacies of the ‘law of karma’, does not become affected by the results

(d) Who becomes entangled by misunderstanding the Lord

One who does not know the transcendental nature of the Lord Krishna.
To think that the activities of the Lord are aimed at fruitive results like ordinary living entities.

Text 4.15

THEME : Previous liberated souls perform their Varnasrama dharma for Krishna’s pleasure, knowing Him to be the transcendental creator of Varnasrama. Krishna advises Arjuna to do the same.

Learnings from Purport 4.15

(a) Two classes of men

Those that are ‘materially polluted’.
Those that are ‘freed from material contamination’.

(b) Krishna consciousness is equally beneficially to both classes

‘Materially polluted’ – They take to Krishna consciousness as a gradual cleansing process.
‘Freed from material contamination’ – They may continue to act in Krishna consciousness to set a perfect example.

Neophytes in Krishna consciousness want to retire from activities without having knowledge of Krishna consciousness.
E.g. Arjuna’s desire to retire from battlefield.

(d) Advice to Arjuna

To retire from battlefield and sit aloof making a show of Krishna consciousness is less important.
Follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s previous disciples such as sun-god Vivasvan.
Lord knows all His past activities as well as of persons who acted in Krishna consciousness in the past – Therefore He recommends the example of the sun-god.

(e) Who are referred here as ‘past liberated souls’ – All the previous students of Lord Krishna who engaged in the discharge of duties adopted by Krishna.

(a) Basis of 4 divisions – ‘guna’ and ‘karma’

(b) Different modes of 4 Varnas

‘Brahamana’ – Mode of Goodness
‘Ksatriyas’ – Mode of passion
‘Vaisyas’ – Mode of passion and ignorance
‘Sudras’ – Mode of ignorance

He is the creator of the four divisions
He does not belong to any of these divisions because He is not one of the conditioned souls

(d) Why did the Lord create this system

To elevate from animal status to human status
To systematically develop Krishna consciousness

(e) How is a ‘Vaisnava’higher than a ‘Brahmana’

A ‘Brahmana’ by quality is supposed to know about Brahman, the Supreme Absolute Truth but most of them approach only the impersonal Brahman
One who transcends this limited knowledge and reaches the knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is a ‘Vaishnava’
Krishna consciousness includes knowledge of all different plenary expansions like Lord Rama, Nrsimha etc.

(f) Krishna and one in Krishna consciousness are both transcendental to all divisions (community,
nation or species) of society.

Text 4.14

THEME : Since Krishna is free from all fruitive attachments –

He has no personal interest in Varnasrama dharma
He creates it only to help the living entity fulfill their desires and get purified

NOTE: Krishna is not responsible for our position in Varnasrama and for right and wrong activities.

Learnings from Purport 4.14

(a) Krishna creates but is unaffected by the activities of the material world, living entities are entangled because of the propensity to Lord over

Analogy: King not subject to state laws
Analogy: Proprietor not responsible for activities of workers
o Similarly Lord is not interested in any kind of material happiness, even heavenly planets just like a proprietor is not interested in the low grade happiness of the workers.

(b) Lord is aloof from material actions and reactions

e.g. Rains not responsible for different types of vegetations, although without rains, there is no possibility of vegetative growth
Lord only gives facilities through material nature, living entity is responsible
Ref. Vedic Smrti: Lord is only the Supreme cause, the immediate cause is material nature
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Lord is never partial to any living entity, but living entity is responsible for his own acts; Lord only gives the facilities through material nature.

One who understands this transcendental nature of the Lord is an experienced man
Such a person fully conversant with all the intricacies of the ‘law of karma’, does not become affected by the results

(d) Who becomes entangled by misunderstanding the Lord

One who does not know the transcendental nature of the Lord Krishna.
To think that the activities of the Lord are aimed at fruitive results like ordinary living entities.

Text 4.15

THEME : Previous liberated souls perform their Varnasrama dharma for Krishna’s pleasure, knowing Him to be the transcendental creator of Varnasrama. Krishna advises Arjuna to do the same.

Learnings from Purport 4.15

(a) Two classes of men

Those that are ‘materially polluted’.
Those that are ‘freed from material contamination’.

(b) Krishna consciousness is equally beneficially to both classes

‘Materially polluted’ – They take to Krishna consciousness as a gradual cleansing process.
‘Freed from material contamination’ – They may continue to act in Krishna consciousness to set a perfect example.

Neophytes in Krishna consciousness want to retire from activities without having knowledge of Krishna consciousness.
E.g. Arjuna’s desire to retire from battlefield.

(d) Advice to Arjuna

To retire from battlefield and sit aloof making a show of Krishna consciousness is less important.
Follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s previous disciples such as sun-god Vivasvan.
Lord knows all His past activities as well as of persons who acted in Krishna consciousness in the past – Therefore He recommends the example of the sun-god.

(e) Who are referred here as ‘past liberated souls’ – All the previous students of Lord Krishna who engaged in the discharge of duties adopted by Krishna.

(a) Basis of 4 divisions – ‘guna’ and ‘karma’

(b) Different modes of 4 Varnas

‘Brahamana’ – Mode of Goodness
‘Ksatriyas’ – Mode of passion
‘Vaisyas’ – Mode of passion and ignorance
‘Sudras’ – Mode of ignorance

He is the creator of the four divisions
He does not belong to any of these divisions because He is not one of the conditioned souls

(d) Why did the Lord create this system

To elevate from animal status to human status
To systematically develop Krishna consciousness

(e) How is a ‘Vaisnava’higher than a ‘Brahmana’

A ‘Brahmana’ by quality is supposed to know about Brahman, the Supreme Absolute Truth but most of them approach only the impersonal Brahman
One who transcends this limited knowledge and reaches the knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is a ‘Vaishnava’
Krishna consciousness includes knowledge of all different plenary expansions like Lord Rama, Nrsimha etc.

(f) Krishna and one in Krishna consciousness are both transcendental to all divisions (community,
nation or species) of society.

Text 4.14

THEME : Since Krishna is free from all fruitive attachments –

He has no personal interest in Varnasrama dharma
He creates it only to help the living entity fulfill their desires and get purified

NOTE: Krishna is not responsible for our position in Varnasrama and for right and wrong activities.

Learnings from Purport 4.14

(a) Krishna creates but is unaffected by the activities of the material world, living entities are entangled because of the propensity to Lord over

Analogy: King not subject to state laws
Analogy: Proprietor not responsible for activities of workers
o Similarly Lord is not interested in any kind of material happiness, even heavenly planets just like a proprietor is not interested in the low grade happiness of the workers.

(b) Lord is aloof from material actions and reactions

e.g. Rains not responsible for different types of vegetations, although without rains, there is no possibility of vegetative growth
Lord only gives facilities through material nature, living entity is responsible
Ref. Vedic Smrti: Lord is only the Supreme cause, the immediate cause is material nature
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Lord is never partial to any living entity, but living entity is responsible for his own acts; Lord only gives the facilities through material nature.

One who understands this transcendental nature of the Lord is an experienced man
Such a person fully conversant with all the intricacies of the ‘law of karma’, does not become affected by the results

(d) Who becomes entangled by misunderstanding the Lord

One who does not know the transcendental nature of the Lord Krishna.
To think that the activities of the Lord are aimed at fruitive results like ordinary living entities.

Text 4.15

THEME : Previous liberated souls perform their Varnasrama dharma for Krishna’s pleasure, knowing Him to be the transcendental creator of Varnasrama. Krishna advises Arjuna to do the same.

Learnings from Purport 4.15

(a) Two classes of men

Those that are ‘materially polluted’.
Those that are ‘freed from material contamination’.

(b) Krishna consciousness is equally beneficially to both classes

‘Materially polluted’ – They take to Krishna consciousness as a gradual cleansing process.
‘Freed from material contamination’ – They may continue to act in Krishna consciousness to set a perfect example.

Neophytes in Krishna consciousness want to retire from activities without having knowledge of Krishna consciousness.
E.g. Arjuna’s desire to retire from battlefield.

(d) Advice to Arjuna

To retire from battlefield and sit aloof making a show of Krishna consciousness is less important.
Follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s previous disciples such as sun-god Vivasvan.
Lord knows all His past activities as well as of persons who acted in Krishna consciousness in the past – Therefore He recommends the example of the sun-god.

(e) Who are referred here as ‘past liberated souls’ – All the previous students of Lord Krishna who engaged in the discharge of duties adopted by Krishna.

(a) Are demigods equal to God? – No, To consider so is “Pashandi” or atheist mentality

They are parts and parcels – Ref. Brahma-samhita / Vedas
They are living entities with material powers
Even Brahma and Siva worship Vishnu
Meaning of ‘Iha-devatah’ – Any powerful man or demigod in this material world

(b) Narayana or Visnu does not belong to the material world – Ref. Adi Sankaracharya

Mad after temporary things
Worship temporary leaders – Kowtowing to so called big-guns
Not interested in Krishna consciousness for permanent solutions

(d) Conclusion: People are rarely interested in Krishna consciousness

LINK BETWEEN 4.12 & 4.13 : Some worship demigods, some worship Brahman, some worship Krishna. Thus Krishna the Supreme Isvara controls everyone’s desires. Is He responsible for the suffering and enjoyment of everyone in this world? How can such people become free from excessive attachment?

Text 4.13

THEME : Krishna creates Varnashrama dharma so that people could purify themselves by regulating desires

Varnashrama system is the process of purification for one whose material desire inhibits him from directly approaching Krishna.

Learnings from Purport 4.13

(a) Basis of 4 divisions – ‘guna’ and ‘karma’

(b) Different modes of 4 Varnas

‘Brahamana’ – Mode of Goodness
‘Ksatriyas’ – Mode of passion
‘Vaisyas’ – Mode of passion and ignorance
‘Sudras’ – Mode of ignorance

He is the creator of the four divisions
He does not belong to any of these divisions because He is not one of the conditioned souls

(d) Why did the Lord create this system

To elevate from animal status to human status
To systematically develop Krishna consciousness

(e) How is a ‘Vaisnava’higher than a ‘Brahmana’

A ‘Brahmana’ by quality is supposed to know about Brahman, the Supreme Absolute Truth but most of them approach only the impersonal Brahman
One who transcends this limited knowledge and reaches the knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is a ‘Vaishnava’
Krishna consciousness includes knowledge of all different plenary expansions like Lord Rama, Nrsimha etc.

(f) Krishna and one in Krishna consciousness are both transcendental to all divisions (community,
nation or species) of society.

Text 4.14

THEME : Since Krishna is free from all fruitive attachments –

He has no personal interest in Varnasrama dharma
He creates it only to help the living entity fulfill their desires and get purified

NOTE: Krishna is not responsible for our position in Varnasrama and for right and wrong activities.

Learnings from Purport 4.14

(a) Krishna creates but is unaffected by the activities of the material world, living entities are entangled because of the propensity to Lord over

Analogy: King not subject to state laws
Analogy: Proprietor not responsible for activities of workers
o Similarly Lord is not interested in any kind of material happiness, even heavenly planets just like a proprietor is not interested in the low grade happiness of the workers.

(b) Lord is aloof from material actions and reactions

e.g. Rains not responsible for different types of vegetations, although without rains, there is no possibility of vegetative growth
Lord only gives facilities through material nature, living entity is responsible
Ref. Vedic Smrti: Lord is only the Supreme cause, the immediate cause is material nature
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Lord is never partial to any living entity, but living entity is responsible for his own acts; Lord only gives the facilities through material nature.

One who understands this transcendental nature of the Lord is an experienced man
Such a person fully conversant with all the intricacies of the ‘law of karma’, does not become affected by the results

(d) Who becomes entangled by misunderstanding the Lord

One who does not know the transcendental nature of the Lord Krishna.
To think that the activities of the Lord are aimed at fruitive results like ordinary living entities.

Text 4.15

THEME : Previous liberated souls perform their Varnasrama dharma for Krishna’s pleasure, knowing Him to be the transcendental creator of Varnasrama. Krishna advises Arjuna to do the same.

Learnings from Purport 4.15

(a) Two classes of men

Those that are ‘materially polluted’.
Those that are ‘freed from material contamination’.

(b) Krishna consciousness is equally beneficially to both classes

‘Materially polluted’ – They take to Krishna consciousness as a gradual cleansing process.
‘Freed from material contamination’ – They may continue to act in Krishna consciousness to set a perfect example.

Neophytes in Krishna consciousness want to retire from activities without having knowledge of Krishna consciousness.
E.g. Arjuna’s desire to retire from battlefield.

(d) Advice to Arjuna

To retire from battlefield and sit aloof making a show of Krishna consciousness is less important.
Follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s previous disciples such as sun-god Vivasvan.
Lord knows all His past activities as well as of persons who acted in Krishna consciousness in the past – Therefore He recommends the example of the sun-god.

(e) Who are referred here as ‘past liberated souls’ – All the previous students of Lord Krishna who engaged in the discharge of duties adopted by Krishna.

(a) Are demigods equal to God? – No, To consider so is “Pashandi” or atheist mentality

They are parts and parcels – Ref. Brahma-samhita / Vedas
They are living entities with material powers
Even Brahma and Siva worship Vishnu
Meaning of ‘Iha-devatah’ – Any powerful man or demigod in this material world

(b) Narayana or Visnu does not belong to the material world – Ref. Adi Sankaracharya

Mad after temporary things
Worship temporary leaders – Kowtowing to so called big-guns
Not interested in Krishna consciousness for permanent solutions

(d) Conclusion: People are rarely interested in Krishna consciousness

Text 4.13

THEME : Krishna creates Varnashrama dharma so that people could purify themselves by regulating desires

Varnashrama system is the process of purification for one whose material desire inhibits him from directly approaching Krishna.

Learnings from Purport 4.13

(a) Basis of 4 divisions – ‘guna’ and ‘karma’

(b) Different modes of 4 Varnas

‘Brahamana’ – Mode of Goodness
‘Ksatriyas’ – Mode of passion
‘Vaisyas’ – Mode of passion and ignorance
‘Sudras’ – Mode of ignorance

He is the creator of the four divisions
He does not belong to any of these divisions because He is not one of the conditioned souls

(d) Why did the Lord create this system

To elevate from animal status to human status
To systematically develop Krishna consciousness

(e) How is a ‘Vaisnava’higher than a ‘Brahmana’

A ‘Brahmana’ by quality is supposed to know about Brahman, the Supreme Absolute Truth but most of them approach only the impersonal Brahman
One who transcends this limited knowledge and reaches the knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is a ‘Vaishnava’
Krishna consciousness includes knowledge of all different plenary expansions like Lord Rama, Nrsimha etc.

(f) Krishna and one in Krishna consciousness are both transcendental to all divisions (community,
nation or species) of society.

Text 4.14

THEME : Since Krishna is free from all fruitive attachments –

He has no personal interest in Varnasrama dharma
He creates it only to help the living entity fulfill their desires and get purified

NOTE: Krishna is not responsible for our position in Varnasrama and for right and wrong activities.

Learnings from Purport 4.14

(a) Krishna creates but is unaffected by the activities of the material world, living entities are entangled because of the propensity to Lord over

Analogy: King not subject to state laws
Analogy: Proprietor not responsible for activities of workers
o Similarly Lord is not interested in any kind of material happiness, even heavenly planets just like a proprietor is not interested in the low grade happiness of the workers.

(b) Lord is aloof from material actions and reactions

e.g. Rains not responsible for different types of vegetations, although without rains, there is no possibility of vegetative growth
Lord only gives facilities through material nature, living entity is responsible
Ref. Vedic Smrti: Lord is only the Supreme cause, the immediate cause is material nature
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Lord is never partial to any living entity, but living entity is responsible for his own acts; Lord only gives the facilities through material nature.

One who understands this transcendental nature of the Lord is an experienced man
Such a person fully conversant with all the intricacies of the ‘law of karma’, does not become affected by the results

(d) Who becomes entangled by misunderstanding the Lord

One who does not know the transcendental nature of the Lord Krishna.
To think that the activities of the Lord are aimed at fruitive results like ordinary living entities.

Text 4.15

THEME : Previous liberated souls perform their Varnasrama dharma for Krishna’s pleasure, knowing Him to be the transcendental creator of Varnasrama. Krishna advises Arjuna to do the same.

Learnings from Purport 4.15

(a) Two classes of men

Those that are ‘materially polluted’.
Those that are ‘freed from material contamination’.

(b) Krishna consciousness is equally beneficially to both classes

‘Materially polluted’ – They take to Krishna consciousness as a gradual cleansing process.
‘Freed from material contamination’ – They may continue to act in Krishna consciousness to set a perfect example.

Neophytes in Krishna consciousness want to retire from activities without having knowledge of Krishna consciousness.
E.g. Arjuna’s desire to retire from battlefield.

(d) Advice to Arjuna

To retire from battlefield and sit aloof making a show of Krishna consciousness is less important.
Follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s previous disciples such as sun-god Vivasvan.
Lord knows all His past activities as well as of persons who acted in Krishna consciousness in the past – Therefore He recommends the example of the sun-god.

(e) Who are referred here as ‘past liberated souls’ – All the previous students of Lord Krishna who engaged in the discharge of duties adopted by Krishna.

(a) Everyone is searching for Krishna in different aspects of ‘His manifestation’

(b) 3 levels of realizing Absolute Truth – Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan.

(d) Krishna is the object of everyone’s realizations – Anyone and everyone is satisfied according to
one’s desire to have Him.

Examples of Lord’s reciprocation to various degrees:
o With Fruitive workers: Lord as Yajnesvara
o With Impersonalists: Lord as Brahmajyoti
o With Yogis: Mystic powers
o With Devotees: 5 primary rasas

(e) Without coming to highest perfection of Krishna consciousness all attempts remain imperfect

Everyone depends upon on His mercy for success
All kinds of spiritual processes are but different degrees of success on the same path
Ref. Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.10: “Akamah sarva kamo…”

LINK BETWEEN 4.11 & 4.12 : One could then ask: “If Krishna, the Supreme Lord, gives a soul whatever he wants, why don’t more persons surrender to Him? Why do they worship others to fulfill their desires?” Krishna answers this question in Text 12.

Text 4.12

THEME : They worship demigods or some powerful man of this world because they want quick results in their fruitive acts

One who worships Krishna for material benefit, does obtain his desire, but first Krishna purifies his heart. Purification may take some time. Also when reward is achieved devotee no longer wants it e.g. Dhurva Maharaja.
Analogy: Boons of demigods are like bubbles in Cosmic Ocean.

Learnings from Purport 4.12

(a) Are demigods equal to God? – No, To consider so is “Pashandi” or atheist mentality

They are parts and parcels – Ref. Brahma-samhita / Vedas
They are living entities with material powers
Even Brahma and Siva worship Vishnu
Meaning of ‘Iha-devatah’ – Any powerful man or demigod in this material world

(b) Narayana or Visnu does not belong to the material world – Ref. Adi Sankaracharya

Mad after temporary things
Worship temporary leaders – Kowtowing to so called big-guns
Not interested in Krishna consciousness for permanent solutions

(d) Conclusion: People are rarely interested in Krishna consciousness

Text 4.13

THEME : Krishna creates Varnashrama dharma so that people could purify themselves by regulating desires

Varnashrama system is the process of purification for one whose material desire inhibits him from directly approaching Krishna.

Learnings from Purport 4.13

(a) Basis of 4 divisions – ‘guna’ and ‘karma’

(b) Different modes of 4 Varnas

‘Brahamana’ – Mode of Goodness
‘Ksatriyas’ – Mode of passion
‘Vaisyas’ – Mode of passion and ignorance
‘Sudras’ – Mode of ignorance

He is the creator of the four divisions
He does not belong to any of these divisions because He is not one of the conditioned souls

(d) Why did the Lord create this system

To elevate from animal status to human status
To systematically develop Krishna consciousness

(e) How is a ‘Vaisnava’higher than a ‘Brahmana’

A ‘Brahmana’ by quality is supposed to know about Brahman, the Supreme Absolute Truth but most of them approach only the impersonal Brahman
One who transcends this limited knowledge and reaches the knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is a ‘Vaishnava’
Krishna consciousness includes knowledge of all different plenary expansions like Lord Rama, Nrsimha etc.

(f) Krishna and one in Krishna consciousness are both transcendental to all divisions (community,
nation or species) of society.

Text 4.14

THEME : Since Krishna is free from all fruitive attachments –

He has no personal interest in Varnasrama dharma
He creates it only to help the living entity fulfill their desires and get purified

NOTE: Krishna is not responsible for our position in Varnasrama and for right and wrong activities.

Learnings from Purport 4.14

(a) Krishna creates but is unaffected by the activities of the material world, living entities are entangled because of the propensity to Lord over

Analogy: King not subject to state laws
Analogy: Proprietor not responsible for activities of workers
o Similarly Lord is not interested in any kind of material happiness, even heavenly planets just like a proprietor is not interested in the low grade happiness of the workers.

(b) Lord is aloof from material actions and reactions

e.g. Rains not responsible for different types of vegetations, although without rains, there is no possibility of vegetative growth
Lord only gives facilities through material nature, living entity is responsible
Ref. Vedic Smrti: Lord is only the Supreme cause, the immediate cause is material nature
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Lord is never partial to any living entity, but living entity is responsible for his own acts; Lord only gives the facilities through material nature.

One who understands this transcendental nature of the Lord is an experienced man
Such a person fully conversant with all the intricacies of the ‘law of karma’, does not become affected by the results

(d) Who becomes entangled by misunderstanding the Lord

One who does not know the transcendental nature of the Lord Krishna.
To think that the activities of the Lord are aimed at fruitive results like ordinary living entities.

Text 4.15

THEME : Previous liberated souls perform their Varnasrama dharma for Krishna’s pleasure, knowing Him to be the transcendental creator of Varnasrama. Krishna advises Arjuna to do the same.

Learnings from Purport 4.15

(a) Two classes of men

Those that are ‘materially polluted’.
Those that are ‘freed from material contamination’.

(b) Krishna consciousness is equally beneficially to both classes

‘Materially polluted’ – They take to Krishna consciousness as a gradual cleansing process.
‘Freed from material contamination’ – They may continue to act in Krishna consciousness to set a perfect example.

Neophytes in Krishna consciousness want to retire from activities without having knowledge of Krishna consciousness.
E.g. Arjuna’s desire to retire from battlefield.

(d) Advice to Arjuna

To retire from battlefield and sit aloof making a show of Krishna consciousness is less important.
Follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s previous disciples such as sun-god Vivasvan.
Lord knows all His past activities as well as of persons who acted in Krishna consciousness in the past – Therefore He recommends the example of the sun-god.

(e) Who are referred here as ‘past liberated souls’ – All the previous students of Lord Krishna who engaged in the discharge of duties adopted by Krishna.

(a) Everyone is searching for Krishna in different aspects of ‘His manifestation’

(b) 3 levels of realizing Absolute Truth – Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan.

(d) Krishna is the object of everyone’s realizations – Anyone and everyone is satisfied according to
one’s desire to have Him.

Examples of Lord’s reciprocation to various degrees:
o With Fruitive workers: Lord as Yajnesvara
o With Impersonalists: Lord as Brahmajyoti
o With Yogis: Mystic powers
o With Devotees: 5 primary rasas

(e) Without coming to highest perfection of Krishna consciousness all attempts remain imperfect

Everyone depends upon on His mercy for success
All kinds of spiritual processes are but different degrees of success on the same path
Ref. Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.10: “Akamah sarva kamo…”

Text 4.12

THEME : They worship demigods or some powerful man of this world because they want quick results in their fruitive acts

One who worships Krishna for material benefit, does obtain his desire, but first Krishna purifies his heart. Purification may take some time. Also when reward is achieved devotee no longer wants it e.g. Dhurva Maharaja.
Analogy: Boons of demigods are like bubbles in Cosmic Ocean.

Learnings from Purport 4.12

(a) Are demigods equal to God? – No, To consider so is “Pashandi” or atheist mentality

They are parts and parcels – Ref. Brahma-samhita / Vedas
They are living entities with material powers
Even Brahma and Siva worship Vishnu
Meaning of ‘Iha-devatah’ – Any powerful man or demigod in this material world

(b) Narayana or Visnu does not belong to the material world – Ref. Adi Sankaracharya

Mad after temporary things
Worship temporary leaders – Kowtowing to so called big-guns
Not interested in Krishna consciousness for permanent solutions

(d) Conclusion: People are rarely interested in Krishna consciousness

Text 4.13

THEME : Krishna creates Varnashrama dharma so that people could purify themselves by regulating desires

Varnashrama system is the process of purification for one whose material desire inhibits him from directly approaching Krishna.

Learnings from Purport 4.13

(a) Basis of 4 divisions – ‘guna’ and ‘karma’

(b) Different modes of 4 Varnas

‘Brahamana’ – Mode of Goodness
‘Ksatriyas’ – Mode of passion
‘Vaisyas’ – Mode of passion and ignorance
‘Sudras’ – Mode of ignorance

He is the creator of the four divisions
He does not belong to any of these divisions because He is not one of the conditioned souls

(d) Why did the Lord create this system

To elevate from animal status to human status
To systematically develop Krishna consciousness

(e) How is a ‘Vaisnava’higher than a ‘Brahmana’

A ‘Brahmana’ by quality is supposed to know about Brahman, the Supreme Absolute Truth but most of them approach only the impersonal Brahman
One who transcends this limited knowledge and reaches the knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is a ‘Vaishnava’
Krishna consciousness includes knowledge of all different plenary expansions like Lord Rama, Nrsimha etc.

(f) Krishna and one in Krishna consciousness are both transcendental to all divisions (community,
nation or species) of society.

Text 4.14

THEME : Since Krishna is free from all fruitive attachments –

He has no personal interest in Varnasrama dharma
He creates it only to help the living entity fulfill their desires and get purified

NOTE: Krishna is not responsible for our position in Varnasrama and for right and wrong activities.

Learnings from Purport 4.14

(a) Krishna creates but is unaffected by the activities of the material world, living entities are entangled because of the propensity to Lord over

Analogy: King not subject to state laws
Analogy: Proprietor not responsible for activities of workers
o Similarly Lord is not interested in any kind of material happiness, even heavenly planets just like a proprietor is not interested in the low grade happiness of the workers.

(b) Lord is aloof from material actions and reactions

e.g. Rains not responsible for different types of vegetations, although without rains, there is no possibility of vegetative growth
Lord only gives facilities through material nature, living entity is responsible
Ref. Vedic Smrti: Lord is only the Supreme cause, the immediate cause is material nature
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Lord is never partial to any living entity, but living entity is responsible for his own acts; Lord only gives the facilities through material nature.

One who understands this transcendental nature of the Lord is an experienced man
Such a person fully conversant with all the intricacies of the ‘law of karma’, does not become affected by the results

(d) Who becomes entangled by misunderstanding the Lord

One who does not know the transcendental nature of the Lord Krishna.
To think that the activities of the Lord are aimed at fruitive results like ordinary living entities.

Text 4.15

THEME : Previous liberated souls perform their Varnasrama dharma for Krishna’s pleasure, knowing Him to be the transcendental creator of Varnasrama. Krishna advises Arjuna to do the same.

Learnings from Purport 4.15

(a) Two classes of men

Those that are ‘materially polluted’.
Those that are ‘freed from material contamination’.

(b) Krishna consciousness is equally beneficially to both classes

‘Materially polluted’ – They take to Krishna consciousness as a gradual cleansing process.
‘Freed from material contamination’ – They may continue to act in Krishna consciousness to set a perfect example.

Neophytes in Krishna consciousness want to retire from activities without having knowledge of Krishna consciousness.
E.g. Arjuna’s desire to retire from battlefield.

(d) Advice to Arjuna

To retire from battlefield and sit aloof making a show of Krishna consciousness is less important.
Follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s previous disciples such as sun-god Vivasvan.
Lord knows all His past activities as well as of persons who acted in Krishna consciousness in the past – Therefore He recommends the example of the sun-god.

(e) Who are referred here as ‘past liberated souls’ – All the previous students of Lord Krishna who engaged in the discharge of duties adopted by Krishna.