CHAPTER 4: Guru as means of knowledge
©2001, TheBhagavatGita.com

sri-bhagavan uvaca -- The Supreme said; imam -- this; vivasvate -- unto the sun-god; yogam -- the science of one's relationship to the Supreme; proktavan -- instructed; aham -- I; avyayam -- imperishable; vivasvan -- Vivasvan (the sun-god's name); manave -- unto the father of mankind (of the name Vaivasvata); praha -- told; manuh -- the father of mankind; iksvakave -- unto King Iksvaku; abravit -- said.

The Supreme said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvan, and Vivasvan instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Iksvaku.

evam -- thus; parampara -- by disciplic succession; praptam -- received; imam -- this science; raja-rsayah -- the saintly kings; viduh -- understood; sah -- that knowledge; kalena -- in the course of time; iha -- in this world; mahata -- great; yogah -- the science of one's relationship with the Supreme; nastah -- scattered; parantapa -- O Arjuna, subduer of the enemies.

This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.

sah -- the same; eva -- certainly; ayam -- this; maya -- by Me; te -- unto you; adya -- today; yogah -- the science of yoga; proktah -- spoken; puratanah -- very old; bhaktah -- devotee; asi -- you are; me -- My; sakha -- friend; ca -- also; iti -- therefore; rahasyam -- mystery; hi -- certainly; etat -- this; uttamam -- transcendental.

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.

arjunah uvaca -- Arjuna said; aparam- junior; bhavatah -- Your; janma -- birth; param -- superior; janma -- birth; vivasvatah -- of the sun-god; katham -- how; etat -- this; vijaniyam -- shall I understand; tvam -- You; adau -- in the beginning; proktavan -- instructed; iti -- thus.

Arjuna said: The sun-god Vivasvan is senior by birth to You. How am I to understand that in the beginning You instructed this science to him?

sri-bhagavan uvaca -- the Personality of Godhead said; bahuni -- many; me -- of Mine; vyatitani -- have passed; janmani -- births; tava -- of yours; ca -- and also; arjuna -- O Arjuna; tani -- those; aham -- I; veda -- do know; sarvani -- all; na -- not; tvam -- you; vettha -- know; parantapa -- O subduer of the enemy.

The Personality of Godhead said: Many, many births both you and I have passed. I can remember all of them, but you cannot, O subduer of the enemy!

ajah -- unborn; api -- although; san -- being so; avyaya -- without deterioration; atma -- body; bhutanam -- of all those who are born; isvarah -- the Supreme Lord; api -- although; san -- being so; prakrtim -- in the transcendental form; svam -- of Myself; adhisthaya -- being so situated; sambhavami -- I do incarnate; atma-mayaya -- by My internal energy.

Although I am unborn and My transcendental body never deteriorates, and although I am the Lord of all living entities, I still appear in every millennium in My original transcendental form.

yada yada -- whenever and wherever; hi -- certainly; dharmasya -- of religion; glanih -- discrepancies; bhavati -- become manifested; bharata -- O descendant of Bharata; abhyutthanam -- predominance; adharmasya -- of irreligion; tada -- at that time; atmanam -- self; srjami -- manifest; aham -- I.

Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion -- at that time I descend Myself.

paritranaya -- for the deliverance; sadhunam -- of the devotees; vinasaya -- for the annihilation; ca -- and; duskrtam -- of the miscreants; dharma -- principles of religion; samsthapana-arthaya -- to reestablish; sambhavami -- I do appear; yuge -- millennium; yuge -- after millennium.

To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium.

janma -- birth; karma -- work; ca -- also; me -- of Mine; divyam -- transcendental; evam -- like this; yah -- anyone who; vetti -- knows; tattvatah -- in reality; tyaktva -- leaving aside; deham -- this body; punah -- again; janma -- birth; na -- never; eti -- does attain; mam -- unto Me; eti -- does attain; sah -- he; arjuna -- O Arjuna.

One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.

vita -- freed from; raga -- attachment; bhaya -- fear; krodhah -- and anger; mat-maya -- fully in Me; mam -- in Me; upasritah -- being fully situated; bahavah -- many; jnana -- of knowledge; tapasa -- by the penance; putah -- being purified; mat-bhavam -- transcendental love for Me; agatah -- attained.

Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me -- and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me.

ye -- all who; yatha -- as; mam -- unto Me; prapadyante -- surrender; tan -- them; tatha -- so; eva -- certainly; bhajami -- reward; aham -- I; mama -- My; vartma -- path; anuvartante -- follow; manusyah -- all men; partha -- O son of Prtha; sarvasah -- in all respects.

As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Prtha.

kanksantah -- desiring; karmanam -- of fruitive activities; siddhim -- perfection; yajante -- they worship by sacrifices; iha -- in the material world; devatah -- the demigods; ksipram -- very quickly; hi -- certainly; manuse -- in human society; loke -- within this world; siddhih -- success; bhavati -- comes; karma-ja -- from fruitive work.

Men in this world desire success in fruitive activities, and therefore they worship the demigods. Quickly, of course, men get results from fruitive work in this world.

catuh-varnyam -- the four divisions of human society; maya -- by Me; srstam -- created; guna -- of quality; karma -- and work; vibhagasah -- in terms of division; tasya -- of that; kartaram -- the father; api -- although; mam -- Me; viddhi -- you may know; akartaram -- as the nondoer; avyayam -- unchangeable.

According to the three modes of material nature and the work associated with them, the four divisions of human society are created by Me. And although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the nondoer, being unchangeable.

na -- never; mam -- Me; karmani -- all kinds of work; limpanti -- do affect; na -- nor; me -- My; karma-phale -- in fruitive action; sprha -- aspiration; iti -- thus; mam -- Me; yah -- one who; abhijanati -- does know; karmabhih -- by the reaction of such work; na -- never; sah -- he; badhyate -- becomes entangled.

There is no work that affects Me; nor do I aspire for the fruits of action. One who understands this truth about Me also does not become entangled in the fruitive reactions of work.

evam -- thus; jnatva -- knowing well; krtam -- was performed; karma -- work; purvaih -- by past authorities; api -- indeed; mumuksubhih -- who attained liberation; kuru -- just perform; karma -- prescribed duty; eva -- certainly; tasmat -- therefore; tvam -- you; purvaih -- by the predecessors; purva-taram -- in ancient times; krtam -- as performed.

All the liberated souls in ancient times acted with this understanding of My transcendental nature. Therefore you should perform your duty, following in their footsteps.

kim -- what is; karma -- action; kim -- what is; akarma -- inaction; iti -- thus; kavayah -- the intelligent; api -- also; atra -- in this matter; mohitah -- are bewildered; tat -- that; te -- unto you; karma -- work; pravaksyami -- I shall explain; yat -- which; jnatva -- knowing; moksyase -- you will be liberated; asubhat -- from ill fortune.

Even the intelligent are bewildered in determining what is action and what is inaction. Now I shall explain to you what action is, knowing which you shall be liberated from all misfortune.

karmanah -- of work; hi -- certainly; api -- also; boddhavyam -- should be understood; boddhavyam -- should be understood; ca -- also; vikarmanah -- of forbidden work; akarmanah -- of inaction; ca -- also; boddhavyam -- should be understood; gahana -- very difficult; karmanah -- of work; gatih -- entrance.

The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.

karmani -- in action; akarma -- inaction; yah -- one who; pasyet -- observes; akarmani -- in inaction; ca -- also; karma -- fruitive action; yah -- one who; sah -- he; buddhi-man -- is intelligent; manusyesu -- in human society; sah -- he; yuktah -- is in the transcendental position; krtsna-karma-krt -- although engaged in all activities.

One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men, and he is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities.

yasya -- one whose; sarve -- all sorts of; samarambhah -- attempts; kama -- based on desire for sense gratification; sankalpa -- determination; varjitah -- are devoid of; jnana -- of perfect knowledge; agni -- by the fire; dagdha -- burned; karmnanam -- whose work; tam -- him; ahuh -- declare; panditam -- learned; budhah -- those who know.

One is understood to be in full knowledge whose every endeavor is devoid of desire for sense gratification. He is said by sages to be a worker for whom the reactions of work have been burned up by the fire of perfect knowledge.

tyaktva -- having given up; karma-phala-asangam -- attachment for fruitive results; nitya -- always; trptah -- being satisfied; nirasrayah -- without any shelter; karmani -- in activity; abhipravrttah -- being fully engaged; api -- in spite of; na -- does not; eva -- certainly; kincit -- anything; karoti -- do; sah -- he.

Abandoning all attachment to the results of his activities, ever satisfied and independent, he performs no fruitive action, although engaged in all kinds of undertakings.

nirasih -- without desire for the result; yata -- controlled; citta-atma -- mind and intelligence; tyakta -- giving up; sarva -- all; parigrahah -- sense of proprietorship over possessions; sariram -- in keeping body and soul together; kevalam -- only; karma -- work; kurvan -- doing; na -- never; apnoti -- does acquire; kilbisam -- sinful reactions.

Such a man of understanding acts with mind and intelligence perfectly controlled, gives up all sense of proprietorship over his possessions, and acts only for the bare necessities of life. Thus working, he is not affected by sinful reactions.

yadrccha -- out of its own accord; labha -- with gain; santustah -- satisfied; dvandva -- duality; atitah -- surpassed; vimatsarah -- free from envy; samah -- steady; siddhau -- in success; asiddhau -- failure; ca -- also; krtva -- doing; api -- although; na -- never; nibadhyate -- becomes affected.

He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady in both success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions.

gata-sangasya -- of one unattached to the modes of material nature; muktasya -- of the liberated; jnana-avasthita -- situated in transcendence; cetasah -- whose wisdom; yajnaya -- for the sake of Yajna (Krishna); acaratah -- acting; karma -- work; samagram -- in total; praviliyate -- merges entirely.

The work of a man who is unattached to the modes of material nature and who is fully situated in transcendental knowledge merges entirely into transcendence.

brahma -- spiritual in nature; arpanam -- contribution; brahma -- the Supreme; havih -- butter; brahma -- spiritual; agnau -- in the fire of consummation; brahmana -- by the spirit soul; hutam -- offered; brahma -- spiritual kingdom; eva -- certainly; tena -- by him; gantavyam -- to be reached; brahma -- spiritual; karma -- in activities; samadhina -- by complete absorption.

A person who is fully absorbed in the Spirit is sure to attain the spiritual kingdom because of his full contribution to spiritual activities, in which the consummation is absolute and that which is offered is of the same spiritual nature.

daivam -- in worshiping the demigods; eva -- like this; apare -- some others; yajnam -- sacrifices; yoginah -- mystics; par yupasate -- worship perfectly; brahma -- of the Absolute Truth; agnau -- in the fire; apare -- others; yajnam -- sacrifice; yajnena -- by sacrifice; eva -- thus; upajuhvati -- offer.

Some yogis perfectly worship the demigods by offering different sacrifices to them, and some of them offer sacrifices in the fire of the Supreme Brahman.

srotra-adini -- such as the hearing process; indriyani -- senses; anye -- others; samyama -- of restraint; agnisu -- in the fires; juhvati -- offer; sabda-adin -- sound vibration, etc.; visayan -- objects of sense gratification; anye -- others; indriya -- of the sense organs; agnisu -- in the fires; juhvati -- they sacrifice.

Some [the unadulterated brahmacaris] sacrifice the hearing process and the senses in the fire of mental control, and others [the regulated householders] sacrifice the objects of the senses in the fire of the senses.

sarvani -- of all; indriya -- the senses; karmani -- functions; prana-karmani -- functions of the life breath; ca -- also; apare -- others; atma-samyama -- of controlling the mind; yoga -- the linking process; agnau -- in the fire of; juhvati -- offer; jnana-dipite -- because of the urge for self-realization.

Others, who are interested in achieving self-realization through control of the mind and senses, offer the functions of all the senses, and of the life breath, as oblations into the fire of the controlled mind.

dravya-yajnah -- sacrificing one's possessions; tapah-yajnah -- sacrifice in austerities; yoga-yajnah -- sacrifice in eightfold mysticism; tatha -- thus; apare -- others; svadhyaya -- sacrifice in the study of the Vedas; jnana-yajnah -- sacrifice in advancement of transcendental knowledge; ca -- also; yatayah -- enlightened persons; samsita-vratah -- taken to strict vows.

Having accepted strict vows, some become enlightened by sacrificing their possessions, and others by performing severe austerities, by practicing the yoga of eightfold mysticism, or by studying the Vedas to advance in transcendental knowledge.

apane -- in the air which acts downward; juhvati -- offer; pranam -- the air which acts outward; prane -- in the air going outward; apanam -- the air going downward; tatha -- as also; apare -- others; prana -- of the air going outward; apana -- and the air going downward; gati -- the movement; ruddhva -- checking; prana-ayama -- trance induced by stopping all breathing; parayanah -- so inclined; apare -- others; niyata -- having controlled; aharah -- eating; pranan -- the outgoing air; pranesu -- in the outgoing air; juhvati -- sacrifice.

Still others, who are inclined to the process of breath restraint to remain in trance, practice by offering the movement of the outgoing breath into the incoming, and the incoming breath into the outgoing, and thus at last remain in trance, stopping all breathing. Others, curtailing the eating process, offer the outgoing breath into itself as a sacrifice.

sarve -- all; api -- although apparently different; ete -- these; yajna-vidah -- conversant with the purpose of performing sacrifices; yajna-ksapita -- being cleansed as the result of such performances; kalmasah -- of sinful reactions; yajna-sista -- of the result of such performances of yajna; amrta-bhujah -- those who have tasted such nectar; yanti -- do approach; brahma -- the supreme; sanatanam -- eternal atmosphere.

All these performers who know the meaning of sacrifice become cleansed of sinful reactions, and, having tasted the nectar of the results of sacrifices, they advance toward the supreme eternal atmosphere.

na -- never; ayam -- this; lokah -- planet; asti -- there is; ayajnasya -- for one who performs no sacrifice; kutah -- where is; anyah -- the other; kuru-sat-tama -- O best amongst the Kurus.

O best of the Kuru dynasty, without sacrifice one can never live happily on this planet or in this life: what then of the next?

evam -- thus; bahu-vidhah -- various kinds of; yajnah -- sacrifices; vitatah -- are spread; brahmanah -- of the Vedas; mukhe -- through the mouth; karma-jan -- born of work; viddhi -- you should know; tan -- them; sarvan -- all; evam -- thus; jnatva -- knowing; vimoksyase -- you will be liberated.

All these different types of sacrifice are approved by the Vedas, and all of them are born of different types of work. Knowing them as such, you will become liberated.

sreyan -- greater; dravya-mayat -- of material possessions; yajnat -- than the sacrifice; jnana-yajnah -- sacrifice in knowledge; parantapa -- O chastiser of the enemy; sarvam -- all; karma -- activities; akhilam -- in totality; partha -- O son of Prtha; jnane -- in knowledge; parisamapyate -- end.

O chastiser of the enemy, the sacrifice performed in knowledge is better than the mere sacrifice of material possessions. After all, O son of Prtha, all sacrifices of work culminate in transcendental knowledge.

tat -- that knowledge of different sacrifices; viddhi -- try to understand; pranipatena -- by approaching a spiritual master; pariprasnena -- by submissive inquiries; sevaya -- by the rendering of service; upadeksyanti -- they will initiate; te -- you; jnanam -- into knowledge; jnaninah -- the self-realized; tattva -- of the truth; darsinah -- seers.

Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.

yat -- which; jnatva -- knowing; na -- never; punah -- again; moham -- to illusion; evam -- like this; yasyasi -- you shall go; pandava -- O son of Pandu; yena -- by which; bhutani -- living entities; asesani -- all; draksyasi -- you will see; atmani -- in the Supreme Soul; athau -- or in other words; mayi -- in Me.

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.

api -- even; cet -- if; asi -- you are; papebhyah -- of sinners; sarvebhyah -- of all; papa-krt-tamah -- the greatest sinner; sarvam -- all such sinful reactions; jnana-plavena -- by the boat of transcendental knowledge; eva -- certainly; vrjinam -- the ocean of miseries; santarisyasi -- you will cross completely.

Even if you are considered to be the most sinful of all sinners, when you are situated in the boat of transcendental knowledge you will be able to cross over the ocean of miseries.

yatha- just as; edhamsi -- firewood; samiddhah -- blazing; agnih -- fire; bhasma-sat -- ashes; kurute -- turns; arjuna -- O Arjuna; jnana-agnih -- the fire of knowledge; sarva-karmani -- all reactions to material activities; bhasma-sat -- to ashes; kurute -- it turns; tatha -- similarly.

As a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, O Arjuna, so does the fire of knowledge burn to ashes all reactions to material activities.

na -- nothing; hi -- certainly; jnanena -- with knowledge; sadrsam -- in comparison; pavitram -- sanctified; iha -- in this world; vidyate -- exists; tat -- that; svayam -- himself; yoga -- in devotion; samsiddhah -- he who is mature; kalena -- in course of time; atmani -- in himself; vindati -- enjoys.

In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. And one who has become accomplished in the practice of devotional service enjoys this knowledge within himself in due course of time.

sraddha-van -- a faithful man; labhate -- achieves; jnanam -- knowledge; tat-parah -- very much attached to it; samyata -- controlled; indriyah -- senses; jnanam -- knowledge; labdhva -- having achieved; param -- transcendental; santim -- peace; acirena -- very soon; adhigacchati -- attains.

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.

ajnah -- a fool who has no knowledge in standard scriptures; ca -- and; asraddadhanah -- without faith in revealed scriptures; ca -- also; samsaya -- of doubts; atma -- a person; vinasyati -- falls back; na -- never; ayam -- in this; lokah -- world; asti -- there is; na -- nor; parah -- in the next life; na -- not; sukham -- happiness; samsaya -- doubtful; atmanah -- of the person.

But ignorant and faithless persons who doubt the revealed scriptures do not attain God consciousness; they fall down. For the doubting soul there is happiness neither in this world nor in the next.

yoga -- by devotional service in karma-yoga; sannyasta -- one who has renounced; karmanam -- the fruits of actions; jnana -- by knowledge; sanchinna -- cut; samsayam -- doubts; atma-vantam -- situated in the self; na -- never; karmani -- works; nibadhnanti -- do bind; dhananjaya -- O conqueror of riches.

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.

tasmat -- therefore; ajnana-sambhutam -- born of ignorance; hrt-stham -- situated in the heart; jnana -- of knowledge; asina -- by the weapon; atmanah -- of the self; chittva -- cutting off; enam -- this; samsayam -- doubt; yogam -- in yoga; atistha -- be situated; uttistha -- stand up to fight; bharata -- O descendant of Bharata.

Therefore the doubts which have arisen in your heart out of ignorance should be slashed by the weapon of knowledge. Armed with yoga, O Bharata, stand and fight.