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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
4.14.3

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.2

Ancient lineage of Krishna’s teaching

Īśvara · God

एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः ।

स कालेनेह महता योगे नष्टः परन्तप ॥ २ ॥

evaṁ paramparā-prāptam

imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ

sa kāleneha mahatā

yogo naṣṭaḥ paran-tapa

Translation

This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.

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

Receiving the Gītā As It Is

  1. 1

    Saintly kings received this supreme science through a chain of teachers. When that chain broke, the science as it is appeared lost.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that personal interpretations hide the Gītā’s purpose, and many scholars reject Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Study the Gītā as received through the authorized chain of teachers, rather than through personal speculation.

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. evamthus
  2. paramparāby disciplic succession
  3. prāptamreceived
  4. imamthis science
  5. rāja-ṛṣayaḥthe saintly kings
  6. viduḥunderstood
  7. saḥthat knowledge
  8. kālenain the course of time
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

  • Spiritual master

    The knowledge is described as passed through disciplic succession.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 4.2 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 4.3A confidential teaching given to a friendBG 4.34The humility of real inquiryBG 4.1Ancient lineage of Krishna’s teachingBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as time
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