Bhagavad-gītā 4.2

Explain simply

Speaker: Śrī Kṛṣṇa

एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः ।
स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप ॥२॥

evaṁ paramparā-prāptam
imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ
sa kāleneha mahatā
yogo naṣṭaḥ parantapa

Word for word (synonyms)

evam
thus
paramparā
disciplic succession
prāptam
received
imam
this science
rājarṣayaḥ
the saintly kings
viduḥ
understood
saḥ
that knowledge
kālena
in the course of time
iha
in this world
mahatā
by great
yogaḥ
the science of one's relationship with the Supreme
naṣṭaḥ
scattered
parantapa
O Arjuna, subduer of the enemies

Translation

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.

Defined in the Gītā

Saintly

Who is to be considered saintly?

Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he is engaged in devotional service, he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated.

Bhagavad-gītā 9.30

See the definition

Purport

It is clearly stated that the Gītā was especially meant for the saintly kings because they were to execute its purpose in ruling over the citizens. Certainly Bhagavad-gītā was never meant for the demonic persons, who would dissipate its value for no one's benefit and would devise all types of interpretations according to personal whims. As soon as the original purpose was scattered by the motives of the unscrupulous commentators, there arose the need to reestablish the disciplic succession. Five thousand years ago it was detected by the Lord Himself that the disciplic succession was broken, and therefore He declared that the purpose of the Gītā appeared to be lost. In the same way, at the present moment also there are so many editions of the Gītā (especially in English), but almost all of them are not according to authorized disciplic succession. There are innumerable interpretations rendered by different mundane scholars, but almost all of them do not accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, although they make a good business on the words of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. This spirit is demonic, because demons do not believe in God but simply enjoy the property of the Supreme. Since there is a great need of an edition of the Gītā in English, as it is received by the paramparā (disciplic succession) system, an attempt is made herewith to fulfill this great want. Bhagavad-gītā—accepted as it is—is a great boon to humanity; but if it is accepted as a treatise of philosophical speculations, it is simply a waste of time.

What this verse teaches

Rājarṣīs understood this science in disciplic succession (Kṛṣṇa → Sun-god → Manu → Ikṣvāku), but it is broken. Kṛṣṇa explains it to Arjuna, His devotee and friend.

In thematic compilations 1

How to Receive Knowledge

  • Spiritual knowledge is attained thorugh paramparā or bona fide disciplic succession (4.1-4.2 imaṁ vivasvate yogam...)
Śrīla Prabhupāda lectures 4

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda © The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.