BG 4

SP called this chapter Transcendental Knowledge it deals with spiritual knowledge, Gita Press BG has called it is Jayana-Karma-Sanyas Yoga. Different Acharyas has given different names to the Chapters in BG.

Theme is centred at knowledge more imp verses is 4.38

Overview:

Chp4 Overview

1-10: Krishna teaches and establishes dharma

By Dharma one is protected from Kama and gets elevated.

11-15: Krishna is the goal and creator of all paths.

Dharma leads many path but Krishna is the goal and creator of all paths.

16-24: Karma-yoga as dharma

Karma-yoga is the dharma, which Krishna is recommending to Arjuna.

25-33: Achieving Jayana through sacrifices

Karma yoga involves Jayana also. By doing various kind of sacrifices one can eventually come to Jayana.

34-42: Glories of Divya-Jayana

BG 4.1

sri–bhagavan uvaca

imam vivasvate yogam

proktavan aham avyayam

vivasvan manave praha

manur ikshvakave ‘bravit

SYNONYMS

sri–bhagavan uvaca — the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; imam — this; vivasvate — unto the sun-god; yogam — the science of one’s relationship to the Supreme; proktavan — instructed; aham — I; avyayam — imperishable; vivasvan — Vivasvan (the sun-god’s name); manave — unto the father of mankind (of the name Vaivasvata); praha — told; manuh — the father of mankind; ikshvakave — unto King Ikshvaku; abravit — said.

TRANSLATION

The Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvan, and Vivasvan instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikshvaku.

 

Also in verse BG 3.31 Shri Krishna says this knowledge is eternal.

This knowledge is Nityam and Avyayam

Kings should protect citizens – this protection also means protection from material bondage to lust, so Krishna said He gives this knowledge to Kings.

In order to have any system of Spiritual Advancement to be effective there has to be joining hands of Brahmans and Kshatriyas E.g. Buddism is path of renunciation but it was effective when Ashoka has adopted it. Christianity, in first 3-4 centuries it was persecuted religion after that when Roman empire has accepted, it spread. Similarly in Vedic time Brahmans and Kshatriyas were united, similar example is seen between Lord Chaitanya and King Prataprudra case. In general for any system of thought there has to be joining of Brahmana and Kshatriya. Similarly Karl Max has written book on Communism but it was spread in 1917-1980 at the time of Lenin and Stalin. So it requires joining of intellectual and administrative persons.

So here Krishna is saying he will give this knowledge to Kings, if kings are spiritually infected citizens will follows same way.

Similarly if we give focus to prominent leaders that will influence a lot of people, it is not discrimination but is precision. SP has invited hippies also for KC.

In first print of BG, Allens Berg who was promoter of drugs and was a controversial person but was also a influential person. He has written forward for BG which was published by Mac Millan press but in second edition which was from ISKCON press SP said this forwards from Allens Berg is not required.

Initially Srila Prabhupad welcomed whoever was coming for help but latter he wanted to make distance from hippies. He would welcome anyone for transformation but the movement was not for hippies ONLY.

Similarly Red Cross people in war focus on saving those who are having potential for survival.

Since number of devotees are less, we can focus on influential people.

Reg. ISKCON, sometimes people blame that we focus only on high class people but it is not true. Sometimes we arrange pada yatras where devotees go from village to village.

Knowledge and wealth are influential factors.

This is not discrimination but is prioritization.

Here Krishna mentioned that Sun God was given this knowledge, as Krishna gives light to one who gives light to everyone.