Bhagavad-gita Notes 5

Chapter 4

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORTS 4.5 4.6*

(a)
Lord appears like an ordinary person
But remembers many many past births
Common man cannot remember past few hours, therefore no-one can claim to be God
(b) Lord has many incarna ons but He is original
Ref. Vedas Analogy: Lord is like the Vaidurya stone which changes color but still remains
one (Lord manifests so many innumerable forms)
Ref. Brahma-Samhita 5.33; 5.39
(c) Qualifica on to understand these mul -forms and example of such a qualified person
Only by pure unalloyed devotion and not by simple study of the Vedas, can one understand
e.g. Arjuna incarnates as one of the associate devotees in all incarnations
(d)
Devotee may forget but by His divine grace, one immediately understands the infallible
nature of the Lord
Non-devotee never understands
(e) Living en ty can never equal the Lord (4.5)
Lord is Achyuta (Infallible) Never forgets Himself and His previous births even in material
contact
Lord is Advaita There is no distinction between His body and Self, therefore He does not
change His spiritual body and never forgets His past births
Living entity, however great, spiritually liberated or materially great, can never equal the
Lord, e.g. Arjuna
o Materially He is famous as (Subduer of enemies)
o Spiritually is one of the liberated associates
(f) Atma-maya (4.6) means

o ( avyayam ) and is never

contaminated by material nature (thus it defeats Mayavada teaching)
o Prakriti means nature svarupa (own form)
o Analogy:
o evident by wonderful and superhuman
acts on Earth
- also means that t we can

o Ref. Amara-kosa dic onary

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FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.7

(a) How the Lord incarnates By His internal potency This is indicated by the word
Meaning of Lord is not created or born but as per free will
4.6 refutes the Lord being born or
created, by calling Him as
(b) When does the Lord incarnate
End of Dvapara-yuga of 28th millennium of seventh Manu of a day of Brahma
But no obligation to rule
(c) For what purpose does the Lord decend
Direct orders of Supreme Personality of Godhead
o Ref. SB 6.3.19
What i Surrender unto Him only
(d) Certain facts about
Mission: Comes with mission, e.g. -

Sanctioned: Mentioned in scriptures criteria to accept

Place: Can appear anywhere, not only on Indian soil
Message: Speaks as per audience, e.g. higher and lower mathematics
Common mission:
o To lead people to God-consciousness,
o Obedience to the principles of religion
(e) Bhagavad-gita is for highly advanced people, e.g. Arjuna (higher principles of religion begin with
Varna-asrama)

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.8

(a) Defini on of Sadhu A man in Krishna consciousness, apparently may be irreligious but if he is
wholly and fully Krishna conscious, he is a sadhu
(b) Defini on of Duskrtam Does not care for Krishna consciousness
(c) Prime purpose of any Avatara
To appease His unalloyed devotees e.g. Prahlada Maharaja and Devaki

(d) Ref. Caitanya-caritamrta on (Principles of Incarna on)

The avatara, or incarnation of Godhead, descends from the kingdom of God for material
manifestation
And the particular form of the Personality of Godhead who descends is called an
incarnation, or avatara
Such incarnations are situated in the spiritual world, the kingdom of God. When they
descend to the material creation, they assume the name avatara
(e) Why specifically does Lord Krishna descend (Prime purpose) To mitigate anxieties of pure
devotees who are anxious to see His Vrindavana pastimes

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FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.8

(f) Who is the Avatara for Kali-yuga Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu

How does he spread religion and deliver miscreants Propogated Sankirtan Movement
throughout India
Sastric proof This Avatara is mentioned secretly and not directly in Upanisads,
Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavatam
Mission
o He does not kill but delivers by causeless mercy
o Predicts the broadcast of Sankirtana movement all over the world

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.9*

(a) Libera on of living en ty from material bondage is not very easy Two paths are possible:
Path of impersonalism and yoga
Path of devotees
(b) Path of Impersonalists and yogis
Endeavor Not very easy - many, many births
Goal Only partial success, brahmajyo
Safety Risk of fall-down
(c) Path of Devotees in Krishna consciousness
Endeavor Very easy, one has to simply understand
birth and activities (4.9)
Goal Abode of Krishna Thus complete success is assured
Safety Lord protects from falldown again into the material world
(d)

One who accepts Krishna as Supreme Personality of Godhead

o He has many transcendental forms
o These forms have relations with unalloyed devotees
One who does not waste time in philosophical speculations
o Ref. Brahma Samhita, Vedas, Svetasvatara Upanisad (study purport)
(e) Fate of other processes like empiric philosophers and puffed-up mundane scholars
Waste of time
May get important roles in material world, not liberation
Analogy: licking the outer surface of a bottle of honey
(f) What is the hope for these speculators etc.
(g) Conclusive suggestion Cultivate Krishna consciousness with faith and knowledge and attain
perfection

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FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.10

(a) Problem: They are too materially affected They cannot understand personal nature of Lord as
per Text 4.9
(b) Different degrees of afflic on
Raga : Strong attachment to material life leads to negligence of spiritual life
: Fear of personal spiritual identity For them merging into impersonal is highest,
o Because they are too absorbed in material bodily concept, concept of retaining
personality after liberation from matter frightens them
o e.g. Analogy: Impersonalists compare living entities to the bubbles in the ocean which
merges into the ocean
Conception of void resulting from frustration of life
o Become angry at all sorts of spiritual speculation out of hopelessness
o Takes to intoxications
o Accept hallucinations as spiritual vision
(c) Solu on to get freedom from these three:
Take complete shelter of Lord
Under the s
Follow disciplines and regulative principles of devotional life
(d) Different stages of bhak This is a progression to higher levels of purity, free from any of the
above mentioned three diseases
Sraddha to prema (study purport) (Ref. Bhak Rasamrita Sindhu 1.4.15 1.4.16)
o This ex

SECTION II (4.11 4.15)

APPLYING TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF SECTION II

Actions are transcendental when executed in full knowledge that Krishna
is the Supreme goal of all paths and the awarder of the results of all work

Text 4.11*
THEME: By hearing about Krishna many, many persons in the past became purified and attained love for
Krishna. They attained love for Krishna because this was their desire and Krishna fulfilled it. What if someone
takes shelter of Krishna with something other than a desire to achieve transcendental love for Him? Text 4.11
s reciprocation with such category of souls

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF 4.11

People on different paths are not realising different things.
They all realise different degrees and aspects of Krishna

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FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.11

(a)
(b) 3 levels of realizing Absolute Truth Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan
(c) Who realizes Krishna fully Only pure devotees
(d) Anyone and everyone is satisfied according to

ation to various degrees:

o With Fruitive workers: Lord as Yajnesvara
o With Impersonalists: Lord as Brahmajyo
o With Yogis: Mystic powers
o With Devotees: 5 primary rasas
(e) Without coming to highest perfec on of Krishna consciousness all a empts remain imperfect
Everyone depends upon on His mercy for success
All kinds of spiritual processes are but different degrees of success on the same path

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 4.11 & 4.12: On Krishna, the Supreme Lord, gives a soul

Krishna answers this question in Text 12.

Text 4.12
THEME: They worship demigods or some powerful man of this world because they want quick results in their
fruitive acts
One who worships Krishna for material benefit, does obtain his desire, but first Krishna purifies his
heart. Purification may take some time. Also when reward is achieved devotee no longer wants it e.g.
Dhurva Maharaja
Analogy: Boons of demigods are like bubbles in Cosmic Ocean

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.12

(a) Are demigods equal to God? No, To consider so is h or atheist mentality
They are parts and parcels Ref. Brahma-samhita / Vedas
They are living entities with material powers
Even Brahma and Siva worship Vishnu
Meaning of - Any powerful man or demigod in this material world
(b) Narayana or Visnu does not belong to the material world Ref. Sankaracharya
(c) Madness of human society
Mad after temporary things
Worship temporary leaders Kowtowing to so called big-guns
Not interested in Krishna consciousness for permanent solutions
(d) Conclusion: People are rarely interested in Krishna consciousness

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LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 4.12 & 4.13: Some worship demigods, some worship Brahman, some worship
Krishna. Thus Krishna the Supreme Isvara
and enjoyment of everyone in this world? How can such people become free from excessive attachment?

Text 4.13*
THEME: Krishna creates Varnashrama dharma so that people could purify themselves by regulating desires
Varnashrama system is the process of purification for one whose material desire inhibits him from
directly approaching Krishna

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.13

(a) Basis of 4 divisions guna and karma

(b) Different modes of 4 Varnas
Brahamana Mode of Goodness
Ksatriyas Mode of passion
Vaisyas Mode of passion and ignorance
Sudras Mode of ignorance
(c) To which class does Lord Krishna belong
He is the creator of the four divisions
He does not belong to any of these divisions because He is not one of the conditioned souls
(d) Why did the Lord create this system
To elevate from animal status to human status
To systematically develop Krishna consciousness
(e) How Vaisnava higher than Brahmana
A Brahmana by quality is supposed to know about Brahman, the Supreme Absolute Truth
but most of them approach only the impersonal Brahman
One who transcends this limited knowledge and reaches the knowledge of the Supreme
Vaishnava
Krishna consciousness includes knowledge of all different plenary expansions like Lord
Rama, Nrsimha etc.
(f) Krishna and one in Krishna consciousness are both transcendental to all divisions (community,
na on or species) of society

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 4.13 & 4.14: In the next verse, Krishna will further explain how He is the non-doer,
or how He acts but does not act and the value of thoroughly understanding these subtle truths

Text 4.14
THEME: Since Krishna is free from all frui ve a achments:
He has no personal interest in Varnasrama dharma
He creates it only to help the living entity fulfill their desires and get purified

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 4.14

Krishna is not responsible for our position in Varnasrama and for right and wrong activities

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FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.14

(a) Krishna creates but is unaffected by the ac vi es of the material world, living entities are
entangled because of the propensity to Lord over
Analogy: King not subject to state laws
Analogy: Proprietor not responsible for activities of workers
o Similarly Lord is not interested in any kind of material happiness, even heavenly
planets just like a proprietor is not interested in the low grade happiness of the
workers
(b) Lord is aloof from material ac ons and reactions
e.g. Rains not responsible for different types of vegetations, although without rains, there is
no possibility of vegetative growth
Lord only gives facilities through material nature, living entity is responsible
Ref. Vedic Smr : Lord is only the Supreme cause, the immediate cause is material nature
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Lord is never partial to any living entity, but living entity is responsible
for his own acts; Lord only gives the facilities through material nature
(c) Who is an experienced man in Krishna consciousness
One who understands this transcendental nature of the Lord is an experienced man
law of karma , does not
become affected by the results
(d) Who becomes entangled by misunderstanding the Lord
One who does not know the transcendental nature of the Lord
To think that the activities of the Lord are aimed at fruitive results like ordinary living
entities

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 4.14 & 4.15: As will be mentioned in the next verse, when the jiva understands
these facts about Krishna and applies this transcendental knowledge to his own work and becomes a
servant of Krishna, he also becomes aloof from the material whirl of action and reaction.

Krishna has no attachment for the fruits of work. Knowing this, Arjuna should fight with faith, for
pleasure, if he desires to become liberated. Krishna wants Arjuna to fight in knowledge of position
and as an offering to Him. In this way Arjuna should follow the example of previous great devotees.

Text 4.15
THEME: Previous liberated souls perform their Varnasrama , knowing Him to
be the transcendental creator of Varnasrama. Krishna advises Arjuna to do the same

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FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.15

(a) Two classes of men

(b) Krishna consciousness is equally beneficially to both classes

They take to Krishna consciousness as a gradual cleansing process
They may continue to act in Krishna consciousness to
set a perfect example
(c) Foolish plans of re rement (escaping a tude)
Neophytes in Krishna consciousness want to retire from activities without having knowledge
of Krishna consciousness
E.g. o retire from battlefield
(d) Advice to Arjuna
To retire from battlefield and sit aloof making a show of Krishna consciousness is less
important
-god Vivasvan
Lord knows all His past activities as well as of persons who acted in Krishna consciousness in
the past Therefore He recommends the example of the sun-god
(e) All the previous students of Lord Krishna who
engaged in the discharge of duties adopted by Krishna

SECTION III (4.16 4.24)

UNDERSTANDING KARMA ON THE PLATFORM OF JNANA

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF SECTION III

Acting in pure devotional service is akarma, free from reactions. This is
because karmic reaction is a result of fruitive consciousness and not activity itself

LINK BETWEEN SECTION II & SECTION III: In the next nine verses (4.16 4.24), in pursuance of Krishna
description of His own work, Krishna will explain how work (karma) can be seen as inactivity (akarma).
Arjuna previously said he wished to leave the battlefield and avoid the results of his karma, like a jnani,
through inactivity. Krishna will show him that no karma accrues to one who works in transcendental
knowledge and that properly performed karma can thus be seen as non-different from the process of jnana

Text 4.16
THEME: Must follow liberated souls Without following liberated souls one is sure to be bewildered in
discovering karma, vikarma and akarma
This verse mentions the need to avoid independent work Action has to be executed in accordance
with the example of previous bona-fide devotees
Therefore Lord offers to explain karma, vikarma and akarma

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FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.16

(a) Whom to follow Leadership of authorized persons in parampara

(b) Why does the Lord instruct Arjuna directly?
Because even the most intelligent person gets bewildered on this path
(c) Why follow Arjuna footsteps?
Because of direct instruction of Lord to Arjuna, anyone who follows in the footsteps of
Arjuna is certainly not bewildered
(d)
Lord Himself lays down religions
Understand this science through Mahajanas (study purport for all the names)
(e)
Lord is explaining directly to Arjuna so that His devotees can understand
Only action performed in Krishna consciousness can deliver a person

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 4.16 & 4.17: In the next verse Krishna adds the principle of vikarma, or forbidden
action, to His presentation of karma and akarma.

Text 4.17
THEME: Intricacies of karma are difficult to understand
Distinguish very carefully between the three subjects of karma, vikarma and akarma

Because they are very intricate

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.17

(a) Why learn this subject
If one is serious about liberation from material bondage, one has to understand the
distinctions
Applied to such analysis because it is such a difficult subject matter
(b) What is the conclusion that Bhagavad-gita is directed towards
To know every living entity as an eternal servitor of Krishna
Action in Krishna consciousness is the action free from three modes
(c) How to learn this subject Associate with authorities in Krishna consciousness; this is as good as
learning from the Lord directly

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 4.17 & 4.18: Having introduced the term vikarma, Krishna returns to the
distinction between karma and akarma

Text 4.18
THEME: Seeing ac on in inac on and inac on in ac on Freedom from reaction can result from proper
action and sinful reaction can result from improper renunciation

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FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.18

(a) This vere explains one who is intelligent and one who is in the transcendental posi on
One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction is intelligent although engaged in all
sorts of activities
(b) Immunity to all sorts of reac onary elements of work How to achieve?

(c) Krishna consciousness status of akarma

For whom All acts done for Krishna
Attitude
o No desire for sense gratification
o Acts as eternal servitor
Result Enjoys transcendental happiness (not available to impersonalists)
(d) Vikarma
For whom Work with attachment
Attitude Against scriptural injunctions
Result Bad reaction (4.17)
(e) Karma
For whom work with attachment
Attitude according to sastras
Result good reaction
Facility Krishna creates Varnasrama according to quality and work
(f)
It is action in inaction
Result Get reaction
Short explanation without transcendental
knowledge of Krishna may appear not to be performing work, but as a soul, h
either activity or the entangling results of that activity. Devoid of transcendental knowledge
about Krishna, he must act, but he cannot act in Krishna
of Krishna. He is thus liable to all reactions
E.g. The sannyasi must breathe. He also must eat. He steps on living entities as he walks.
Without Krishna consciousness all these activities have no transcendental basis for him, and
thus reactions accrue to him

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 4.18 & 4.19: Every soul is unavoidably active. Artificial attempts at inactivity lead
to a further danger; that of unengaged senses coupled with an impure mind. Anyone who attempts
spiritual practices while the mind meditates on sense enjoyment will fall down, even if such an unfortunate
Krishna further explains this verse in
Text 19

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 Bhagavad-gita Notes 15
Chapter 4

Texts 4.19* 4.24

COMMON THEME: Akarma in Karma (inaction in action)

PLEASE NOTE: Points of the transla o

sec on

PLEASE NOTE:
For ease of memoriza on the points below are given a pneumonic

1. Main characteristic Works without attachment (Detached) to sense gratification (4.19)

2. Detached from fruits Acts without fruitive attachment, although engaged in all undertakings (4.20)
3. Ever-satisfied and independent (4.20*)
4. Self-control Mind and intelligence fully controlled (4.21)
5. Freedom from sense of proprietorship (4.21)
6. Desires only bare necessities (4.21)
7. Self-satisfaction Satisfied with whatever comes by providence with no over-endeavor (4.22*)
8. Freedom from duality nothing can hamper his service (4.22*)
9. Steadiness Steady in success and failure (4.22*)
10. Freedom from envy (4.22*)
11. Detached from the modes (4.23*)
12. Fully situated in transcendental knowledge (4.23*)
13. Such kind of work merges into transcendence (4.23*)
14. Absolute quality of a sacrifice performed in Krishna consciousness has no reaction (4.24)

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 4.20 & 4.21: Text 4.20 describes sadhaka stage. Texts 4.21 4.22 describes siddha
stage.

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 4.21 & 4.22: Text 4.21 speaks of a highly advanced, perfected devotee who is
constantly greedy for service. He considers himself insignificant and gives no importance to
anything outside that service. His qualities will now be further described

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 4.22 & 4.23: Text 4.23 introduces yajna which will be expanded upon in Texts 4.25
4.33

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 4.23 & 4.24: Krishna summarizes His teachings on akarma by next describing the
absolute quality of a sacrifice performed in spiritual consciousness

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXTS 4.23 4.24

Acting in a devotional mood with freedom from the desires of sense gratification uncovers the
spiritual nature. In this way, acts of sacrifice connect one with transcendence.
Sacrifice uncovers spiritual nature and reveals Brahman as follows
o Maya (illusion) is that which covers spirit
o Desire for sense gratification invokes maya
o Detachment from sense gratification dissolves maya and thus reveals spirit (Brahman)

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FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORTS 4.19 4.24

(a) (4.19)
Every endeavor is devoid of desire for sense gratification and thus,
The reactions of work have been burnt up by the fire of knowledge
o Analogy:
(b) Which knowledge is referred to in Text 4.19 servitorship
(c) Freedom from sense of proprietorship (4.21)
Analogies: Hand as a part of body / Living like animal (study purport)
(d) Desiring only basic necessi es (4.21)
Analogy: As a machine part needs oiling (study purport)
(e) Texts 4.23 4.24 explain how working in consciousness as per Texts 4.19 4.23 reveals Brahman
(f) Text 4.23 introduces which is the topic for next section
(g) Krishna consciousness is the
perfect cure
Activities of the material world, when performed in Krishna consciousness becomes
spiritualized by complete absorption
Analogy: Indigestion caused by milk products is cured by another milk product i.e yogurt or
curd
(h) Krishna consciousness a process of conver ng illusory consciousness into Brahman (4.24)
Brahma Brahman The Lord is spiritual and the rays of His
transcendental body are called Brahmajyo
Everything is situated in that Brahmajyo but when the jyo is covered by illusion or sense
gratification, it is called material
How to remove this material veil by Krishna consciousness
Offering for the sake of Krishna consciousness, the consuming agent, the process of
consumption, the contributor and the result are all combined together or the
Absolute Truth
(i) Mind in Samadhi refers to the mind fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness
Anything done in such transcendental consciousness is called
All the components involved in the sacrifice becomes one with the absolute

SECTION IV (4.25 4.33)

SACRIFICES LEAD TO TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE
LINK BETWEEN TEXTS SECTION III & SECTION IV: Having explained that sacrifice uncovers Brahman,
Krishna now lists different types of sacrifices

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SUMMARIZED THEME 4B
SACRIFICES

A) Goal Variety of sacrifices are described in Texts 4.25 4.33, because these sacrifices have

1st goal: Control senses This purifies one of all sins and makes one happy
2nd goal: Gain transcendental knowledge Texts 4.19 4.24 explain how sacrifice uncovers
Brahman (spiritual nature) and reveals transcendental knowledge
3rd goal: Devotional service
B) Why variety of sacrifices different types are appropriate for different types of workers
Varnashrama and their level of realization) (4.32)
C) How to do Perform sacrifices in consciousness of Texts 4.19 4.23, then the result will be

PLEASE NOTE: All the transla ons and some points of the purports for Texts 4.25 4.29 are covered below under
the Common Theme. The Remaining points of the purports (Texts 4.25 4.27 & 4.29) are covered in their resepc ve
Focus of Learning sec ons therea er.

Texts 4.25 4.29

COMMON THEME: Varie es of sacrifices which lead to transcendental knowledge, are explained:
1. Demigod worship (4.25)
2. Sacrifices into Brahman (4.25)
3. Hearing process and senses in the fire of mental control The unadulterated brahmacaris (4.26)
4. Objects of senses in the fire of the senses Regulated grhastas (4.26)
5. Astanga-yoga yoga system (4.27)
Offers the function of all the senses and of the life breath, as oblations into the fire of the
controlled mind
Goal: Merging into existence of Absolute
6. Charity Dravyamaya-yajna (study examples) (4.28)
Charitable institutions, old-age homes etc.
7. Austerity Tapomaya-yajna (e.g. Caturmasya and Chandrayana) (4.28)
8. Yoga-yajna Sacrifice for a certain perfection in material world (4.28)
E.g. Patanjali system For merging into the existence into the Absolute
Hatha-yoga or Astanga-yoga For particular perfections
Holy pilgrimage
9. Study of scriptures Svadhyaya yajna Upanisads and Vedanta Sutras, or the Sankhya philosophy
(4.28)
10. Hatha-yoga and Pranayama (4.29)

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FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.25

(a) Who is perfect yogi or a first class mys c a person engaged in discharging duties in Krishna
consciousness
(b) Varie es differ superficially, but one factual aim
Different categories of sacrifices by different types of performers only superficially demark
the varieties
One factual aim of all sacrifices is to satisfy the Supreme Lord, Vishnu who is also known as
yajna
(c) Two primary divisions to classify sacrifices
Sacrifice of worldly possessions
Sacrifice in pursuit of transcendental knowledge
(d) Comparison of sacrifices performed by different worshippers
Krishna conscious devotee: sacrifices all material possessions and own self
satisfaction
o e.g. Arjuna sacrifices everything for satisfaction of Krishna
o Thus Arjuna is a first class yogi, without losing his individual existence
Demigod worshipper: Sacrifice material possessions for material enjoyment
o They worship demigods for various material benefits and are called -isvara-
(believers in many Gods)
Impersonalist: Sacrifices own self
o They regard the forms of demigods as temporary
o They sacrifice their material designations and end their individual existence by
merging into the existence of the Supreme
o Sacrifice their time in philosophical speculation

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.26

(a) What all the varnas meant to achieve?
They are all meant to become perfect yogis or transcendentalists
(b) Brahmacaris
What does he hear Only words concerning Krishna consciousness; especially engaged fully
in harer namanukirtanam (Chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord)
What he does not hear Restrains himself from vibrations of material sounds
How does he controls the mind Stays under the care of a bona-fide spiritual master and
abstains from sense gratification
How a pure brahmacari engages fully
Hearing is the basic principle for understanding
(c) Grhastas Restricted unattached sex life (under marriage) is a kind of how?
It is a Yajna because the restricted householder sacrifices his general tendency towards
sense gratification for higher, transcendental life

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FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.27

(a) What is - and -

- the soul attached to sense enjoyment
- the soul unattached to sense enjoyment
(b) What is the principle and goal of this yoga system
Principle The soul is subjected to the functions of ten kinds of air at work within the body
and this is perceived through the breathing system
o Patanjali
technical manner so that ultimately all the functions become favorable for purifying
the soul of material attachment
Goal Pratyag-atma
Different functions of the airs
o Prana-vayu Interaction of senses with sense objects and their engagements in
activities outside the self
o Apana-vayu Goes downwards
o Vyana-vayu Acts to shrink and expand
o Samana-vaya Adjusts equilibrium
o Udana-vayu Goes upwards
Status of enlightenment One engages all these airs in searching for self-realisation

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.29

(a) Pranayama is the system of yoga for controlling the breathing process
In the beginning it is practiced in the hatha-yoga system through different sitting postures
(b) Goal hatha-yoga and pranayama
To control senses
To increase longevity Intelligent yogi wants to achieve spiritual perfection in one life only;
therefore needs increased life span for perfection in spiritual realisation
To help in spiritual advancement
(c) Prac cing pranayama This practice involves controlling the airs within the body so as to reverse
the directions of their passage (Study purport for details of the air currents)
(d) Conclusion 4.25 4.29: Krishna consciousness is transcendental to all types of sacrifice Why?
Because it is direct service to the Lord (4.28)
o Automatically controls all the senses and one is transcendental from the very
beginning (4.29)
e.g. Controlling senses is done by honoring Krishna prasadam
o All the senses are thoroughly engaged and naturally transferred at the end of life to
therefore no need to increase longevity (4.29)
o Ref. Bg. 14.26 By Devotional Service, one immediately transcends the modes and
elevates to Spiritual Kingdom (4.29)
It is a ained only by mercy of the Lord and devotees (4.28)
o Krishna consciousness cannot be attained by any of the above mentioned methods in
Texts 4.25 4.29

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 Bhagavad-gita Notes 20
Chapter 4

Text 4.30
THEME: Summarizes the purpose of all sacrifices

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.30 Purposes of all sacrifices These purposes are similar to the
goal men oned in the Summarized Theme 4B

(a) Common aim To control the senses

Sense gratification is the root cause of material existence
(b) Freedom from sinful reac on
(c) Gain transcendental knowledge and gradually devo onal service (4.33 purport)
(d) One tastes the nectar in this life and the next Happy in this life and later enters into Supreme
eternal atmosphere Kingdom of God

Text 4.31
THEME: Sacrifice is essen al Without that, no happiness in this life or next

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.31

(a) Material entanglement a loop difficult to escape:

Ignorance Sinful life

Drags one
into
material
existence
(b) Only loophole: Human life
(c) Role of Vedas to help us escape
Vedas gives us a chance for escape by pointing out Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha
Dharma give Artha Path of religion, or different kinds of sacrifices, automatically solves
our economical problems By Yajna we get enough food, milk etc.
After Artha comes Kama When the body is fully satisfied, next stage is to satisfy the
senses, therefore Vedas prescribe sacred marriage for regulated sense gratification
Gradually one is elevated to the platform of Moksha; All this starts from performance of
Yajna, therefore yajna is very important for happiness
(d) Life of Krishna consciousness only solu on to all problems because there is higher level of
happiness

Text 4.32
THEME: Why variety of sacrifices are recommended As different medicines are prescribed for different
diseases; different varieties of sacrifices are prescribed to suit different types of workers
Principle: Because the conditioned soul is in deep bodily concept Work with body, mind or
intelligence, in the form of different sacrifices, is recommended to ultimately get liberation (4.32
purport)

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 Bhagavad-gita Notes 21
Chapter 4

Text 4.33
THEME: Sacrifice must be performed with the knowledge of their purpose and goal
Sacrifice performed in knowledge is better than mere sacrifice of material possessions
All sacrifices of work culminate in transcendental knowledge

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.33

(a) Without eleva on of knowledge sacrifices are simply material ac vi es how?
Purpose of all sacrifices:
o To achieve complete knowledge
o To gain release from material miseries
o To engage in loving transcendental service to the Supreme Lord
Mystery behind all these different sacrifices
o Different types of sacrifice Sacrifices sometimes take different forms according to
the particular faith of the performer
o Sacrifice with knowledge is be er -
transcendental knowledge, the performer should be considered more advanced than
those who simply sacrifice material possessions without such knowledge
o Sacrifice without knowledge is material - Without attainment of knowledge, sacrifice
remains on the material platform
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial ac vi es
Karma-kanda (Fruitive activities)
Jnana-kanda (Knowledge in pursuance of truth)

SECTION V (4.34 4.42)

CONCLUSION

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF SECTION V

Transcendental knowledge, and its resultant liberation, is only
possible by faithful, sincere inquiry and service at the feet of a spiritual master

LINK BETWEEN SECTION IV AND SECTION V: Duty and sacrifices must be done in knowledge (4.33). How
to acquire such knowledge? answered in Text 4.34 onwards.

Text 4.34*
THEME: Approach bona-fide spiritual master Acquire transcendental knowledge by enquiry, submission and
service

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 Bhagavad-gita Notes 22
Chapter 4

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.34

(a) Bona fide path of religion

Only that religion which comes from Lord and His disciplic succession (Ref. SB. 6.3.19
)
the fashion of foolish pretenders
(b) Non bona fide paths mental speculations, dry arguments, independent study of books
(c) Secret of progress Satisfaction of self-realized spiritual master
(d) Proper combina on for spiritual understanding Inquiry and submission
(e) How inquiries are effec ve By submission and service
One must be able to pass the test of the spiritual master, and when he sees the genuine
desire of the disciple, he automatically blesses the disciple with genuine understanding
When the student is submissive and always ready to render service, the reciprocation of
knowledge and inquires become perfect
(f) Text 4.34 condemns blind following and absurd inquiries

Text 4.35 4.38

COMMON THEME: Rewards/Glories of transcendental knowledge thus a ained from spiritual master

Text 4.35*
THEME: One will obtain knowledge and realiza on that all living en es are a part of Brahman. With such
vision one will never fall into illusion.

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.35

(a) Result of receiving knowledge from a self-realized soul

One learns that all living entities are parts and parcels of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead
(b) Maya
maya
Also to think that we have nothing to do with Krishna who is just a great historical
personality and Absolute is only the impersonal Brahman
o Refutation:
Impersonal Brahman is the effulgence of Krishna (Based on Bg. 4.27)
Krishna is the cause of all causes, even the cause of millions of incarnations
and all the living entities (Ref. Brahma Samhita 5.1)
(c) Material thought of Mayavadis
Argument: Wrongly think that Krishna loses His own separate existence in His many
expansions; This thought is material in nature
Refutation: Failure of Mayavadis to understand the meaning of the Absolute
o Material understanding is that, when a thing is fragmentally distributed, it loses its
own original identity
o -

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 Bhagavad-gita Notes 23
Chapter 4

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.35

(d) y conception
To think oneself separate from Krishna under illusion
To come under the bodily conception and recognize with the bodily relationships
(e) What does libera on / freedom from illusion mean to know constitution as eternal servitor
Only way to get get such pure knowledge Only from bona-fide spiritual master
Muk Ref. SB 2.10.6
(f) What is the en re teaching of the Bhagavad-gita targeted towards
Living entity is an eternal servitor
Cannot be separated from Krishna at any time
Any sense of identify apart from Krishna is maya
(g) What is the level of perfect knowledge Supreme soul Krishna, is the supreme shelter of all living
beings

Text 4.36*
THEME: By that knowledge you will cross over the ocean of miseries, even if you are the most sinful of all
sinners

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.36

(a) Analogies:
Knowledge compared to boat Material world is compared to an ocean, even an expert
swimmer cannot swim across the ocean but has to be lifted out of the ocean by a suitable
boat
Material world is also compared to blazing forest fire

Text 4.37*
THEME: By that knowledge of self and Supersoul and their rela onship, one burns all sinful reac ons

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.37

(a) Analogy: Knowledge compared to fire burns all reactions to material activities
(b) Two types of reactions: pious and impious; priori and posteriori (Ref. Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad)
both burnt
(c) 4 stages of reac on All are burnt by transcendental knowledge
1. Reaction in the making
2. Reaction fructifying
3. Reaction already achieved
4. Reaction a priori

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 Bhagavad-gita Notes 24
Chapter 4

Text 4.38*
THEME: One achieves self-realiza on as the mature fruit of all mys cism and finally gets devo onal service

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.38

(a) There is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge
Ignorance is the cause of bondage
Knowledge is the cause of liberation
(b) Knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service
Such a person enjoys peace within himself
Does not search for peace elsewhere
(c) The last word in Bhagavad-gita:
Knowledge and peace culminate in Krishna consciousness

Text 4.39
THEME: Who can acquire transcendental knowledge The faithful, with dedication and sense control

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.39

(a) Defines One who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness, one can attain
the highest perfection
(b) How to a ain faith Discharge of devotional service and chanting Hare Krishna (cleanses the
heart of material dirt)
(c) Who can a ain perfec on in Krishna consciousness without delay One who is faithful to
Krishna and controls the senses

Text 4.40*
THEME: Faithless cannot a ain the perfec on of God consciousness

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.40

(a) Best of all standard and authorita ve revealed scriptures Bhagavad-gita
(b) Different categories of disqualified people
Persons who are almost like animals have no faith or knowledge of standard revealed
scriptures
Even if they have knowledge, or can sight passages from, the revealed scriptures, have
actually no faith
Even if they may have faith in scriptures, they do not believe in, or worship the Supreme
Personality of Godhead
(c) Who is the worst Those who have no faith and is always doubtful, make no progress at all
(d) Solu on to success
Follow the principles of revealed scriptures with faith and rise to the platform of knowledge
Only this knowledge will promote one to the transcendental platform of spiritual
understanding
Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas who are in the parampara and attain success

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 Bhagavad-gita Notes 25
Chapter 4

Text 4.41
THEME: No sinful reac ons can affect one who performs his du es with transcendental knowledge

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.41

(a) Result of following instruc on of Bhagavad-gita one becomes free from all doubts by the grace

(b) Result of ac on in full Krishna consciousness

He is well established in self-knowledge
He is undoubtedly above the bondage to action

Text 4.42*
THEME: Armed with yoga, O Arjuna, stand and fight!

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 4.42

(a) Sanatana-yoga taught in Chapter 4 refers to the eternal activities performed by the living entities
(b) Two divisions of sacrificial ac on
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
(c) Two divisions of spiritual ac vity

Truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead

(d) Who can understand these two divisions of spiritual ac vity One who follows the path of
Bhagavad-gita as it is
(e) Benefit 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
(f) How to remove ignorance By gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness
(g) How to awaken Krishna consciousness
By different types of sacrifices (4.25 4.29)
Common basis of all sacrifices one important factor Self
realization
Real student of Bhagavad-gita One who seeks that objective of self-realization
(h) How 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
(i) Who 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

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 Bhagavad-gita Notes 26
Chapter 4

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
Goal to please guru
Faithful (4.39)
Control senses (4.39) How? by regulation and by intelligence (from Guru, Sadhu and
Sastra)
B) Who is disqualified for knowledge (4.40)
Ignorant
Faithless
Doubting soul
C) Qualifica on of Guru (4.34)
Self-realized (Jnaninah)
Has seen the truth (Ta va-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:
o All living entities are part and parcel of Krishna
o Any sense of identity apart from Krishna is Maya
o 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

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 Bhagavad-gita Notes 1
Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5
KARMA YOGA ACTION IN KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

Connec on between Chapter 4 and Chapter 5

Chapter 2 gives
Preliminary knowledge of soul and its entanglement in the material body
Buddhi-yoga as the process to get out of this entanglement
Chapter 3 explains that a person on the platform of knowledge no longer has any duties to perform
Chapter 4 presents
The Lord telling Arjuna that all kind of sacrificial work culminates in knowledge
Also Krishna glorifies jnana and speaks of action in inaction and inaction in action (4.16 4.18)
In Text 4.41 also He glorifies jnana and renunciation
But in Text 4.42, He orders Arjuna to fight
Arjuna point
He thinks renunciation in knowledge involves cessation of all kinds of work performed as sense
activities
But if one performs work in devotional service, as Krishna suggests then how is work stopped?
Work and renunciation appears to be incompatible to Arjuna at this point of time.
Understanding what Arjuna lacks Work in full knowledge is non-reactive and is therefore the same as
inaction
Therefore C Text 3.1 Which is be er: ork in
devo on or enuncia on of work
of achieving liberation through Karma-yoga in greater depth than Chapter 3

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 Bhagavad-gita Notes 2
Chapter 5

BREAKDOWN OF CHAPTER 5

SECTION I (5.1 5.6) NISKAMA-KARMA-YOGA EASIER THAN RENOUNCING WORK

Arjuna again asks whether renouncing work is superior to working with detachment
Krishna replies
o Both are equal in the sense that both are means to the same goal
o Emphasizes working with detachment as easier and superior

SECTION II (5.7 5.12) HOW TO PERFORM NISKAMA-KARMA-YOGA

One performing Niskama-karma-yoga identifies
o Neither with his body
o Nor the activities that his body performs
By his detached actions, he is freed from the reactions of his activities

SECTION III (5.13 5.16) PLATFORM OF KNOWLEDGE KNOWING THE THREE DOERS
The living being (Doer No. 1) who knows that all bodily activities are automatically carried out
by the modes of material nature (Doer No. 2), after those activities are sanctioned by the
Supersoul (Doer No. 3), attains enlightenment thorough that knowledge

SECTION IV (5.17 5.26) LIBERATION BY FOCUSSING ON THE SUPERSOUL

One who, in knowledge, devotionally fixes his consciousness on the Supersoul and remains
materially equipoised, attains liberation in the near future

SECTION V (5.27 5.28) LIBERATION THROUGH ASTANGA YOGA: A PREVIEW

Practice of Astanga-yoga gives the same liberation

SECTION VI (5.29) PEACE ON THE PLATFORM OF LIBERATION

A person in full consciousness of Krishna attains liberation from the pangs of material miseries

SECTION I (5.1 5.6)

NISKAMA-KARMA-YOGA EASIER THAN RENOUNCING WORK
Text 1-3: Karma yoga is same as sannyasa, but be er
Text 4-6: Why Karma Yoga is be er?

Text 5.1*
THEME: Work and renuncia on appears
incompa ble
Text 5.1 purport mentions ork in devotion is easier than dry mental speculation . Because
It is transcendental in nature and thus,
It frees one from all reactions

PLEASE NOTE: The remaining points of the purport are mentioned in the Connection between Chapter 4 and 5
above

Page 2 of 19
 Bhagavad-gita Notes 3
Chapter 5

Text 5.2
THEME: Answers the ques on asked in Text 5.1
Both good for liberation
But work in devotion (karma-yoga) is better than renunciation of work (sannyasa)

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 5.2

(a) Path of ac on: Krishna conscious action vs Fruitive action Devotional Service / Action in Krishna
Consciousness is the only way to get rid of material bondage (Ref. SB 5.5.4-6)
On the other hand fruitive action creates bondage
o To act for sense gratification not good because fruitive acts cause material bondage
and transmigration; each body is temporary and miserable.
o Failure of life if no inquiry about real identity
o Suggestion Develop love for Devotional service to Vasudeva
(b) Path of renouncing all ac on: Process of Jnana (of spiritual identity) / dry renunciation
One may think that action causes bondage, therefore we should renounce action altogether
o but one should know that Jnana (of spiritual identity) or dry renunciation is not
sufficient for liberation from bondage,
o but one must act on the level of status of spirit soul
Action in Krishna Consciousness is different from action on fruitive platform
o
o Mere renunciation of fruitive action without Krishna Consciousness does not purify
the heart
(c) Srila Rupa Goswami on renuncia on (Ref. Bhak Rasamrita Sindhu)
Incomplete Renunciation (Phalgu-vairagya) to renounce things related to Supreme
Personality of Godhead thinking them material, with desire for liberation
Complete renunciation (Yukta-vairagya) implies to know
o Everything belongs to the Lord
o Use everything in His service
o Do not claim proprietorship

Text 5.3
THEME: One who works in devo on is a true sannyasi and easily achieves libera on
Defini on of true sannyasi neither hates nor desires fruits and is free from all dualities

FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 5.3

(a) Krishna Conscious person is a true sannyasi How?
He has perfect transcendental knowledge i.e. soul and Krishna are one in quality but
different in quantity
o Incorrect transcendental knowledge oneness in quantity with Krishna, because a
part can never be equal to whole
Result of perfect knowledge one becomes full in himself
Full in himself implies no desire/hatred/lamentation for the results of action
No duality in mind because whatever he does is for Krishna
Thus liberated even in material world

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