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Chapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge · 42 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Krishna’s natureChapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge
3.434.2

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.1

Ancient lineage of Krishna’s teaching

Īśvara · God

श्रीभगवानुवाच

इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम् ।

विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् ॥ १ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ

proktavān aham avyayam

vivasvān manave prāha

manur ikṣvākave ’bravīt

Translation

The Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvān, and Vivasvān instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikṣvāku.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Knowledge Passed Down from Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa taught this eternal science of yoga to Vivasvān, who taught Manu, who then taught Ikṣvāku.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that the Gītā comes from the Supreme Lord and must be received through the line of teachers and disciples.

  3. 3

    Study the Gītā as it is to develop spiritual knowledge of your eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport

These notes cover verses 4.1–3

Ancient origins of Bhagavad-gita and qualifications to receive

The Lord explains that science of work, explained in Chapters 2 and 3, is very old and authorized; and He gave this knowledge to Vivasvan and then the Supreme science was received through ‘disciplic succession’ (Answer to how it was received) but in the course of time the succession was broken.

Who is qualified to receive the transcendental mystery of this science?

Devotee

Friend (Devotee can be in one of the five primary rasas,e.g. Arjuna is a friend)

Other references on Qualifications Ref. 4.34, 4.39, 9.1, 18.67-68

Further reading

Transcendental Knowledge About Krishna

Transcendental knowledge about Krishna should be received by disciplic succession

This reveals the truth about Krishna’s form, His birth and His activities

Knowing these truths, one who takes shelter of Krishna becomes purified and attains Krishna

Chapter 4, section I: Transcendental Knowledge About Krishna
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Supreme Personality of Godhead said
  2. imamthis
  3. vivasvateunto the sun-god
  4. yogamthe science of one’s relationship to the Supreme
  5. proktavāninstructed
  6. ahamI
  7. avyayamimperishable
  8. vivasvānVivasvān (the sun-god’s name)
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhagavān, vibhūti.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 4.1 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to krishna’s nature?

Practice

Notice something excellent and see it as His opulence.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 4 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 4.2Ancient lineage of Krishna’s teachingBG 4.3A confidential teaching given to a friendBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 11.51Composure returns in Krishna’s personal presence
Live this todayUnderstand Through Devotion to KṛṣṇaA practice from BG 4.3, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction