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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 ›
Soul & knowledgeChapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge
4.384.40

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.39

Spiritual master, knowledge and removal of doubt

Jīva · The soul

श्रद्धावाँल्ल‍भते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः ।

ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति ॥ ३९ ॥

śraddhāvāḻ labhate jñānaṁ

tat-paraḥ saṁyatendriyaḥ

jñānaṁ labdhvā parāṁ śāntim

acireṇādhigacchati

Translation

A faithful man who is dedicated to transcendental knowledge and who subdues his senses is eligible to achieve such knowledge, and having achieved it he quickly attains the supreme spiritual peace.

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

Faith, Knowledge, and Peace

  1. 1

    A faithful person dedicated to spiritual knowledge who controls the senses can gain this knowledge and quickly reach supreme spiritual peace.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that faith means firmly trusting that acting in Kṛṣṇa consciousness brings the highest perfection.

  3. 3

    Develop faith through devotional service and chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, which cleanses the heart, and practice controlling the senses.

Key points from the purport

Who can acquire transcendental knowledge — The faithful, with dedication and sense control

a

Defines “faithful” — One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain the highest perfection

b

How to attain faith — Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the heart of material dirt)

c

Who can attain perfection in Krishna consciousness without delay — One who is faithful to Krishna and controls the senses

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. śraddhā-vāna faithful man
  2. labhateachieves
  3. jñānamknowledge
  4. tat-paraḥvery much attached to it
  5. saṁyatacontrolled
  6. indriyaḥsenses
  7. jñānamknowledge
  8. labdhvāhaving achieved
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

  • Faith

    The faithful obtain transcendental knowledge.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 4.39 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.

BG 6.47The highest yogi is devotedBG 17.3Faith shaped by the three guṇasBG 4.34The humility of real inquiryBG 4.35Spiritual master, knowledge and removal of doubt
Live this todayKnowledge Through Devotional ServiceA practice from BG 4.38, 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