Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Text 1-3

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Jaya Sri Radhey!

 

Another explanation on the verses - 4.1-3

by Swami Chidbhavananda of Sri Ramakrishna Mission:

 

"The Blessed Lord said -

 

"This imperishable yoga, I declared to Vivasat; Vivasat taught it to

Manu, Manu told it to Ikshvaku." (4.1)

 

Moksha or the spiritual imanicipation being imperishable, yoga or

means to it is also designated as imperishable.

 

Man's endeavours for emanicipation are everlasting;

practice of yoga is also everlasting.

 

Vivasvat is the name of Surya, the sun god.

 

Manu is the ruler immortalized by Smritis- the code of conduct.

Ikshvaku is the first among the kings of solar dynasty. When rulers

of kingdoms come to know of this supreme wisdom they tackle the

wordly problems more diligently.

 

'evaM paramparA praptam

imaM rajarSayo viduH,

sa kAleneha mahatA

yogo naSThaH parantapa'

 

"Thus transmitted in regular succession the ROYAL-SAGES knew it.

 

THIS YOGA, BY LONG EFFLUX OF TIME DECAYED IN THIS WORLD, O Scorcher

of foes, Arjuna." (4.2)

 

WHEN THE RIGHT TYPE OF MEN BECOME SCARCE, THE RIGHT SYSTEM ALSO

DWINDLES AWAY.

AS THE SHADOW FOLLOWS THE SUBSTANCE, A GOODSYSTEM COMES IN AGAIN WITH

THE ADVENT OF PROPER PEOPLE.

____________

 

In the 'Guudaartha Dipika' Sri Madhusudana Sarasvati, explains why

Lord Krishna selectively chose the word, ' Parantapa' to address

Arjuna in the verse 4.2

 

'Parantapa', O Scorcher of enemies- in the sense that he, like the sun

(4.1) 'scorches' the host of enemies in the form of passion, anger,

greed etc. through valour, through discrimination and austerity;

i.e. he is self controlled, as is evident from such extraordinary

behavior of his as indifference to celestial nymph Urvaci, etc.

 

Therefore, being self controlled, you are eligible for this Yoga'-

that is what He indicates by the word of address, 'PARANTAPA'.

_______________

 

Here the Lord carifies this fact -

 

"The same ancient yoga has been TODAY TOLD YOU BY ME, FOR YOU ARE MY

DEVOTEE AND FRIEND;

 

AND THIS SECRET IS SUPREME INDEED." (4.3)

 

Secrecy is maintained in regard to many things worldly, BECAUSE OF

SELFISHNESS or BECAUSE OF THEIR BEING HARMFUL IF ABUSED.

 

The Science of Yoga REMAINS SECRET NOT FOR THESE REASONS, BUT BECAUSE

OF THE IMCOMPETENCY OF MAN TO "PURSUE IT PROPERLY".

 

It becomes OBSCURE WHEN THE RIGHT SORT OF PEOPLE BECOME RARE IN

SOCIETY.

 

Now Arjuna, A WORTHY RECIPIENT HAS APPEARED AND THEREFORE, A NEW

REVELATION OF YOGA ALSO ENSUES.

 

WHAT A MAN HAS MADE HIMSELF WORTHY OF, THAT COMES TO HIM

SPONTANEOUSLY.

 

This FULFILLMENT is called the law by some and GRACE BY OTHERS."

 

Jaya Sri Radhey!