Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!
aSanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
bTwo divisions of sacrificial action
Sacrifice of one’s material possessions – Such sacrifice, if not dovetailed for spiritual realisation, then such sacrifice becomes material
Knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity – to perform a sacrifice with a spiritual objective is the perfect sacrifice
cTwo divisions of spiritual activity
Understandings of one’s own self
Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead
dWho can understand these two divisions of spiritual activity — One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is
eBenefit of such understanding
Such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord as discussed in the beginning of this chapter
One who does not understand Bhagavad-gita is faithless and is misusing his fragmental independence
In spite of such instruction one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord is a fool number one
fHow to remove ignorance — By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
gHow to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 – 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices – “regulated action” based on one important factor – “Self realization”
Real student of Bhagavad-gita – One who seeks that objective of self-realization
hHow to study Bhagavad-gita
Under a bona-fide spiritual master, with service and surrender
Follow the path as expressed in the Bhagavad-gita itself
Beware of self-interested people after personal self-aggrandizement
iWho is liberated from the very beginning of the study of Bhagavad-gita
One who understands Lord as the Supreme Person and His activities as transcendental SUMMARISED THEME 4C A) How to achieve knowledge (4.34 and 4.39):
Submissive surrender to guru – no absurd inquiries
Relevant inquiries – no blind following
Service, without false prestige, in menial mood
Control senses (4.39) – How? – by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra) B) Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Doubting soul C) Qualification of Guru (4.34)
Has seen the truth (Tattva-darsinah)
Can impart knowledge unto you D) Glories / Fruits of that Transcendental knowledge (4.35 – 4.38)
What is the result of that knowledge (4.35) – One sees as follows:
All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna
Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya
By that knowledge he will never fall into illusion
By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all sinners (4.36)
By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their relationship, one burns all sinful reactions (4.37)
Self-realization – mature fruit of devotional service (4.38)
End of chapter 4
Bhagavad Gita Notes 1 Chapter 4 Appendix CHAPTER 4 Appendix Selected Texts extracted from “Surrender unto Me”