:: Chapter 4 :: Transcendental Knowledge

Text 38

na hi jnanena sadrsam
pavitram iha vidyate
tat svayam yoga-samsiddhah
kalenatmani vindati

Synonyms

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.

Translation

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.

Purport

When we speak of transcendental knowledge, we do so in terms of spiritual understanding. As such, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Ignorance is the cause of our bondage, and knowledge is the cause of our liberation. This knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service, and when one is situated in transcendental knowledge, he need not search for peace elsewhere, for he enjoys peace within himself. In other words, this knowledge and peace culminate in Krisna consciousness. That is the last word in the Bhagavad-gita.

Text 39

sraddhaval labhate jnanam
tat-parah samyatendriyah
jnanam labdhva param santim
acirenadhigacchati

Synonyms

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.

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.

Purport

Such knowledge in Krisna consciousness can be achieved by a faithful person who believes firmly in Krisna. One is called a faithful man who thinks that simply by acting in Krisna consciousness he can attain the highest perfection. This faith is attained by the discharge of devotional service, and by chanting Hare Krisna, Hare Krisna, Krisna Krisna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, which cleanses one's heart of all material dirt. Over and above this, one should control the senses. A person who is faithful to Krisna and who controls the senses can easily attain perfection in the knowledge of Krisna consciousness without delay.


Text 40

ajnas casraddadhanas ca
samsayatma vinasyati
nayam loko sti na paro
na sukham samsayatmanah

Synonyms

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.

Translation

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.

Purport

Out of many standard and authoritative revealed scriptures, the Bhagavad-Gita is the best. Persons who are almost like animals have no faith in, or knowledge of, the standard revealed scriptures; and some, even though they have knowledge of, or can cite passages from, the revealed scriptures, have actually no faith in these words. And even though others may have faith in scriptures like Bhagavad-gita, they do not believe in or worship the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krisna. Such persons cannot have any standing in Krisna consciousness. They fall down. Out of all the above-mentioned persons, those who have no faith and are always doubtful make no progress at all. Men without faith in God and His revealed word find no good in this world, nor in the next. For them there is no happiness whatsoever. One should therefore follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and thereby be raised to the platform of knowledge. Only this knowledge will help one become promoted to the transcendental platform of spiritual understanding. In other words, doubtful persons have no status whatsoever in spiritual emancipation. One should therefore follow in the footsteps of great acaryas who are in the disciplic succession and thereby attain success.