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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
4.404.42

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.41

Spiritual master, knowledge and removal of doubt

Karma · Action

योगसन्न्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसञ्छिन्नसंशयम् ।

आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्न‍‍न्ति धनञ्जय ॥ ४१ ॥

yoga-sannyasta-karmāṇaṁ

jñāna-sañchinna-saṁśayam

ātmavantaṁ na karmāṇi

nibadhnanti dhanañ-jaya

Translation

One who acts in devotional service, renouncing the fruits of his actions, and whose doubts have been destroyed by transcendental knowledge, is situated factually in the self. Thus he is not bound by the reactions of work, O conqueror of riches.

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

Freedom Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    One who serves devotionally, gives up the fruits of work, and has doubts removed by spiritual knowledge is free from work’s reactions.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that one in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness knows oneself as part of the Lord and is beyond bondage to action.

  3. 3

    Follow Bhagavad-gītā as the Lord teaches it, and serve without seeking the fruits of your work.

Key points from the purport

No sinful reactions can affect one who performs his duties with transcendental knowledge

a

Result of following instruction of Bhagavad-gita — one becomes free from all doubts by the grace of “transcendental knowledge”

b

Result of action in full Krishna consciousness

He is well established in self-knowledge

He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action

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. yogaby devotional service in karma-yoga
  2. sannyastaone who has renounced
  3. karmāṇamthe fruits of actions
  4. jñānaby knowledge
  5. sañchinnacut
  6. saṁśayamdoubts
  7. ātma-vantamsituated in the self
  8. nanever
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 4.41 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 4.34The humility of real inquiryBG 4.35Spiritual master, knowledge and removal of doubtBG 2.13The self endures bodily changeBG 15.7The living being belongs to Krishna
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