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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
4.24.4

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.3

A confidential teaching given to a friend

Īśvara · God

स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः ।

भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥ ३ ॥

sa evāyaṁ mayā te ’dya

yogaḥ proktaḥ purātanaḥ

bhakto ’si me sakhā ceti

rahasyaṁ hy etad uttamam

Translation

That very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today told by Me to you because you are My devotee as well as My friend and can therefore understand the transcendental mystery of this science.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

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

3 study points

Understanding Through Devotion

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna this ancient science of relationship with the Supreme because Arjuna is His devotee and friend.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that genuine Gītā commentaries follow Arjuna, who accepts Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Follow the disciplic succession from Arjuna and avoid commentaries that misrepresent 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

How it feels

Trust and closeness

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥthe same
  2. evacertainly
  3. ayamthis
  4. mayāby Me
  5. teunto you
  6. adyatoday
  7. yogaḥthe science of yoga
  8. proktaḥspoken
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

  • Spiritual master

    Krishna speaks confidential knowledge to His friend and devotee.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does devotion change the way I hear spiritual knowledge?

Practice

Study one teaching with the intention to deepen devotion, not just accumulate information.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 4.2Ancient lineage of Krishna’s teachingBG 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 KṛṣṇaOne practice from this verse

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

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
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