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Chapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge · 42 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Duty & actionChapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge

4.11 4.13

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.12

Action without fruitive bondage

Karma · Action

काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवता ।

क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ॥ १२ ॥

kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṁ siddhiṁ

yajanta iha devatāḥ

kṣipraṁ hi mānuṣe loke

siddhir bhavati karma-jā

Translation

Men in this world desire success in fruitive activities, and therefore they worship the demigods. Quickly, of course, men get results from fruitive work in this world.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

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

3 study points

Quick Results Are Temporary

1
People worship demigods because they want success in work for material rewards, and they get results quickly.
2
Prabhupāda explains that demigods serve under Kṛṣṇa, the one Supreme God. Their gifts are material and temporary.
3
Seek Kṛṣṇa consciousness rather than temporary rewards, for it offers a permanent solution to material suffering.

Key points from the purport

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

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

Narayana or Visnu does not belong to the material world — Ref. Sankaracharya

Madness of human society

Mad after temporary things

Worship temporary leaders – Kowtowing to so called big-guns

Not interested in Krishna consciousness for permanent solutions

Conclusion — People are rarely interested in Krishna consciousness

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 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?

Connected verses · 1

Texts 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.