1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge · 42 verses

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

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 ›
Soul & knowledgeChapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.35

Spiritual master, knowledge and removal of doubt

Jīva · The soul

यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव ।

येन भूतान्यशेषाणि द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मन्यथो मयि ॥ ३५ ॥

yaj jñātvā na punar moham

evaṁ yāsyasi pāṇḍava

yena bhūtāny aśeṣāṇi

drakṣyasy ātmany atho mayi

Translation

Having obtained real knowledge from a self-realized soul, you will never fall again into such illusion, for by this knowledge you will see that all living beings are but part of the Supreme, or, in other words, that they are Mine.

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

Our Eternal Relationship with Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Real knowledge from a self-realized soul frees you from illusion and shows that all living beings are parts of Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that thinking we exist apart from Kṛṣṇa is illusion. We are His eternal servants, not equal to Him.

  3. 3

    Learn from a genuine spiritual master and serve Kṛṣṇa, remembering that your purpose is to satisfy Him.

Key points from the purport

One will obtain knowledge and realization that all living entities are a part of Brahman. With such vision one will never fall into illusion.

a

Result of receiving knowledge from a self-realized soul

One learns that all living entities are parts and parcels of the Supreme Personality of Godhead

b

What is ‘Maya’

Sense of an existence separate from Krishna is called ‘maya’

Also to think that we have nothing to do with Krishna who is just a great historical personality and Absolute is only the impersonal Brahman

Refutation:

Impersonal Brahman is the effulgence of Krishna (Based on Bg. 4.27)

Krishna is the cause of all causes, even the cause of millions of incarnations and all the living entities (Ref. Brahma Samhita 5.1)

c

Material thought of Mayavadis

Argument: Wrongly think that Krishna loses His own separate existence in His many expansions; This thought is material in nature

Refutation: Failure of Mayavadis to understand the meaning of the Absolute

Material understanding is that, when a thing is fragmentally distributed, it loses its own original identity

But “Absolute Truth” means: “1+1=1” and “1-1=1” FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.35 continued…

d

Example of “Maya” — Arjuna’s thoughts of temporary bodily conception

To think oneself separate from Krishna under illusion

To come under the bodily conception and recognize with the bodily relationships

e

What does liberation / freedom from illusion mean — to know constitution as eternal servitor

Only way to get get such pure knowledge – Only from bona-fide spiritual master

Meaning of ‘Mukti’ – Ref. SB 2.10.6

f

What is the entire teaching of the Bhagavad-gita targeted towards –

Living entity is an eternal servitor

Cannot be separated from Krishna at any time

Any sense of identify apart from Krishna is maya

g

What is the level of perfect knowledge — Supreme soul Krishna, is the supreme shelter of all living beings

Further reading

Conclusion

Acting on ‘transcendental knowledge’ received by disciplic succession destroys the sinful reactions to all work

Therefore one should do his duty fixed in transcendental knowledge

Chapter 4, section V: Conclusion
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatwhich
  2. jñātvāknowing
  3. nanever
  4. punaḥagain
  5. mohamto illusion
  6. evamlike this
  7. yāsyasiyou shall go
  8. pāṇḍavaO son of Pāṇḍu
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: ātmā, jñāna.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 4.35 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to soul & knowledge?

Practice

Spend five minutes reflecting on what in you does not change.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

Live this todayLearn Through Inquiry and ServiceA practice from BG 4.34, close to this verse

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