Knowledge and Renunciation of Action - 04 - 02¶
The Shloka¶
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एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः ।
स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप ॥
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evaṁ paramparāprāptamimaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ ।
sa kāleneha mahatā yogo naṣṭaḥ parantapa ॥
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Meaning / Summary¶
This verse underscores the vital role of ‘parampara’ (disciplic succession) in preserving the purity and authenticity of spiritual knowledge. It highlights that divine wisdom is not meant for individual speculation but is to be received through an unbroken chain of qualified teachers. The ‘rājarṣayaḥ’ (saintly kings) were ideal recipients, as they combined spiritual insight with the capacity for righteous governance. The subsequent loss of this yoga over time signifies the challenges inherent in maintaining spiritual truth across generations due to neglect, misinterpretation, or the absence of worthy custodians. This loss necessitates the re-establishment of the knowledge, which is precisely what Lord Krishna is doing by speaking the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, thereby re-initiating the ‘parampara’ for the current age.
This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession by the saintly kings. But in the course of a long time, O subduer of enemies (Arjuna), this yoga was lost here (in this world).
Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna that the sacred knowledge of ‘yoga’ was originally passed down through a perfect lineage of saintly kings. However, as a considerable amount of time passed, this profound spiritual science became lost in this world.
Lord Krishna elaborates on the historical transmission of the profound spiritual knowledge (yoga) that He is currently imparting to Arjuna. He states that this knowledge was originally received ‘evaṁ’ – ‘in this manner’, implying the method of disciplic succession or ‘paramparāprāptam’. This ‘paramparā’ is a system where knowledge is passed down from guru to disciple in an unbroken chain, ensuring its purity and integrity. The initial recipients of this divine wisdom were ‘rājarṣayaḥ’, the saintly kings. These were not ordinary rulers, but kings who also possessed the spiritual wisdom and ascetic qualities of sages (‘ṛṣis’). They were perfectly suited to understand and propagate this knowledge because they governed righteously and lived by spiritual principles. However, Krishna then laments that ‘sa kāleneha mahatā’ – ‘in the course of a long time here (in this world)’ – ‘yogo naṣṭaḥ’ – ‘this yoga was lost’. The exact reasons for its loss are not detailed here, but it implies a degradation in the chain of succession, a lack of worthy recipients, or a general decline in spiritual understanding among humanity. By addressing Arjuna as ‘parantapa’, ‘O subduer of enemies’, Krishna subtly reminds him of his capability to overcome obstacles, both external and internal, and implicitly establishes Arjuna as a worthy individual to receive and re-establish this lost knowledge.
Sentence - 1¶
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एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः
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Meaning¶
This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession by the saintly kings.
Meaning of Words¶
एवं | evaṁ | thus, in this manner |
परम्परा | paramparā | through disciplic succession, by tradition |
प्राप्तम् | prāptam | received, obtained |
इमं | imam | this (yoga) |
राजर्षयो | rājarṣayaḥ | |
the royal sages, saintly kings | ||
विदुः | viduḥ | knew, understood, received (through tradition) |
Sentence - 2¶
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स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप ॥
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Meaning¶
But in the course of a long time, O subduer of enemies (Arjuna), this yoga was lost here (in this world).
Meaning of Words¶
स | sa | that (yoga) |
कालेन | kālena | by time, in the course of time |
इह | iha | here, in this world |
महता | mahatā | by a great, by a long |
योगो | yogaḥ | |
the science of spiritual discipline, divine communion | ||
नष्टः | naṣṭaḥ | lost, destroyed, vanished |
परन्तप | parantapa | |
O subduer of enemies, O tormentor of foes | ||