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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

4.14 4.16

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.15

Action without fruitive bondage

Karma · Action

एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः ।

कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम् ॥ १५ ॥

evaṁ jñātvā kṛtaṁ karma

pūrvair api mumukṣubhiḥ

kuru karmaiva tasmāt tvaṁ

pūrvaiḥ pūrva-taraṁ kṛtam

Translation

All the liberated souls in ancient times acted with this understanding of My transcendental nature. Therefore you should perform your duty, following in their footsteps.

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

Follow the Liberated Souls

1
Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna to do his duty, following past liberated souls who understood His transcendental nature.
2
Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa consciousness cleanses impure hearts, while those already purified act to set an example for others.
3
Do your duty for Kṛṣṇa rather than withdraw from activity and merely make a show of devotion.

Key points from the purport

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

Two classes of men

Those that are ‘materially polluted’

Those that are ‘freed from material contamination’

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

Foolish plans of retirement (escaping attitude)

Neophytes in Krishna consciousness want to retire from activities without having knowledge of Krishna consciousness

E.g. Arjuna’s desire to retire from battlefield

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

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

Connected verses · 1

Texts 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.