Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 Overview

Connection Chapter 3 to Chapter 4:

At the end of chapter 3 Krishna mentioned that Lust causes material bondage. Also ch 3 describes one
need to strengthen intelligence through transcendental knowledge. Thus one can overcome all lusty
desires. Chapter 4 emphasizes on what is transcendental knowledge and how it is received

Section 1 (4.1-10): Krishna is the teacher and establisher of dharma.

4.1: Krishna spoke this knowledge to sun god (Vivasvan). Vivasvan->Manu-> Ikshvaku

4.2: In this way saintly kings understood this knowledge. But by the power of time this knowledge
appears to be lost.

Link: Krishna wants to give this knowledge, since it is lost. Krishna selected Arjuna to give this
knowledge. What is Arjuna’s qualification?

4.3: Since you are My friend and devotee, I will explain this knowledge to you.

Link: After hearing that Krishna spoke this knowledge to Sun god. Arjuna gets a doubt.

4.4: Arjuna:- Sun God is senior to you by birth. How did you explain to him?

4.5: Krishna: We both took many births, I remember all of them, but you don’t.

Link: How come you remember, but I don’t remember my past life activities?

4.6: I appear in My own svarupa, with the help of My internal potency. My body don’t deteriorate
(avyayam)

Link: When do you appear in this world?

4.7: Whenever religion declines, and irreligion increases

Link: why do you appear in this world?

4.8: To protect the devotees, to annihilate the miscreants. And to establish the religion

Link: You have explained about your janma (4.6), and karma (4.7-8). What is the result of knowing your
janma and karma?

4.9: One who understands My janma and karma as divine, such person does not take birth again.

Link: Is there any proof?

4.10: Many in the past free from raga, bhaya, krodha attained Me.

Section 2(4.11-15): Krishna is the goal and creator of all the paths
Link: By hearing about Krishna many, many persons in the past became purified and attained
love for Kåñëa. 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 explains Krishna’s reciprocation with such
category of souls

4.11: The way people approach me, I reciprocate with them accordingly. Everyone follows My path

LINK: “If Krishna gives a soul whatever he wants, why don’t more persons surrender to Him? Why do
they worship others to fulfill their desires?”

4.12: People approach demigods for quick results

LINK: How can such people become free from excessive attachment?

4.13: I have created Varnasrama, based on guna and karma of people.

LINK: 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

4.14: There is no work that affects Me. I do not aspire for results. One who knows this does not get
bound

Link: Example for 4.14

4.15: Many people acted like this and got liberated. You follow their path

Section 3(4.16-23): Krishna recommends Karma yoga for Arjuna

Link: why to follow previous devotees?

4.16: This karma, is very difficult to understand. Even great devotees are bewildered.

4.17: Properly understand what is karma, akarma, and vikarma

4.18: One who understands action in inaction, and inaction in action is wise person

LINK: 4.19-23 describes the qualities of person who sees ‘inaction’ in ‘action’. Means the qualities of
Niskama Karma yogi are described. He is doing prescribed duties, but he does not get reaction.

4.20: Gives up attachment to results, self-satisfied, although engaged in action not doing anything

4.21: Mind controlled. Gives up sense of proprietorship. Acts for bare necessities of life

4.22: Satisfied with the gain that comes on its own accord. Free from duality and envy.

4.23: He is unattached to modes, and situated in knowledge.

Link: 4,23 describes yajnaya acarata karma…One should perform actions for the purpose of yajna.
Krishna describes yajna in 4.24-33

Section 4 (4.24-33): Achieving Jnana through Sacrifices

4.24: when you engage something in the service of the Lord, it becomes spiritualized

4.25-29: Various sacrifices are mentioned. One who performs these sacrifices can attain knowledge.

 Some Karma yogis worship the demigods.

 Impersonalists want to merge in the Brahma jyoti, and lose their identity.
 Brahmacharis control the mind by not indulging in sense gratification
 Householder engages in restricted and unattached sense gratification
 Jnana yogi and ashtanga yogi restrains the senses
 Distributing food, education, medical treatment free for poor
 Austerities like caturmasya and candrayana vrata
 Svadhyaya yajna: studies vedas
 Yoga yajna: Perform ashtanga yoga
 Ashtanga yogi practices pranayama and controls the senses

Link: what is the result of following these sacrifices?

4.30: free from sins, and attains liberation.

Link: what about the person, who does not do sacrifices?

4.31: Her is neither happy in this world nor in the next.

Link: What is the source of these sacrifices?

4.32: sacrifices are approved by Vedas

4.33: Sacrifice performed with knowledge or better than the sacrifice performed without knowledge.

Section 5(4.34-42): glories of Jnana

Link: How to get this knowledge?

4.34: Approach guru, surrender, inquire and serve him. Guru will give knowledge.

Link: what are the glories of that knowledge?

4.35-38: One sees all LEs as parts of Krishna. This knowledge is like boat, even sinful person can cross
over the ocean of nescience. It is like fire, can burn all the pious and sinful reactions.

Link: what is the qualification to attain this knowledge?

4.39-40: Those who are faithful, and who have controlled the senses, attained this knowledge. Those
who are doubtful neither get happiness in this world, nor in the next.

4.41-42: One who has this knowledge is not bound by reactions of work. slash your doubts with this
knowledge. Get up and fight.