Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret - 09 - 01

The Shloka

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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

इदं तु ते गुह्यतमं प्रवक्ष्याम्यनसूयवे ।

ज्ञानं विज्ञानसहितं यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ॥

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Shree Bhagavan uvācha.

Idaṁ tu te guhyatamaṁ pravakṣyāmy anasūyave.

Jñānaṁ vijñāna-sahitaṁ yaj jñātvā mokṣyase ‘śubhāt.

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka marks the beginning of the “Rāja-vidyā Rāja-guhyam Yoga” (The Yoga of Kingly Knowledge, Kingly Secret) chapter, signifying that the knowledge imparted here is supreme among all forms of knowledge. It highlights the importance of the student’s disposition – freedom from envy (anasūyave) – as a prerequisite for receiving spiritual wisdom. This emphasizes that spiritual truth is not merely intellectual; it requires a pure heart and a sincere desire to learn without criticism or doubt about the source. The promise of liberation from all inauspiciousness underscores the ultimate benefit of understanding and applying this divine knowledge, making it profoundly significant for spiritual aspirants.

The Supreme Lord said: I shall now declare to you, who are free from envy, this most confidential knowledge, combined with realization, by knowing which you will be liberated from all inauspiciousness.

Lord Krishna begins Chapter 9 by stating that He will reveal the most confidential knowledge, which includes both theoretical understanding and practical realization, to Arjuna because Arjuna is not envious. He assures that by knowing this knowledge, one will be liberated from all suffering and inauspiciousness.

In this pivotal verse, Lord Krishna addresses Arjuna directly, emphasizing the profound nature of the knowledge He is about to impart. He states that this is not just theoretical knowledge (jñānam) but also includes practical realization or applied understanding (vijñānam). The key condition for receiving this most confidential wisdom (guhyatamam) is a lack of envy (anasūyave). This implies that only a humble and receptive student, free from critical or fault-finding attitudes towards the teacher or the teachings, can truly grasp and benefit from such deep spiritual truths. By understanding and applying this knowledge, Arjuna (and by extension, any sincere seeker) will attain liberation from all forms of misfortune, suffering, and the cycle of birth and death (aśubhāt). This verse sets the stage for the highly esoteric and practical teachings that follow in Chapter 9, which focus on the supreme glories of the Lord and the path of devotional service.

Sentence - 1

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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

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Meaning

The Supreme Lord said:

Meaning of Words

श्रीभगवान्	Shree Bhagavan
The Supreme Lord Shree is an honorific prefix, meaning glorious, divine, or revered. Bhagavan refers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one who possesses all opulences in full – strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty, and renunciation. It specifically denotes Lord Krishna in the context of the Bhagavad Gita, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of all existence.
उवाच	uvācha
said Spoke, declared. It’s a verb indicating that the preceding subject, the Supreme Lord, is now speaking or beginning to speak.

Sentence - 2

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इदं तु ते गुह्यतमं प्रवक्ष्याम्यनसूयवे ।

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Meaning

Indeed, to you, who are free from envy, I shall declare this most confidential knowledge.

Meaning of Words

इदं	Idam
this Refers to the knowledge that Lord Krishna is about to impart. It points to the immediate subject of His speech.
तु	tu	indeed
ते	te
to you Refers to Arjuna, the immediate recipient of Lord Krishna’s teachings.
गुह्यतमं	guhyatamam
most confidential The superlative form of ‘guhya’ (secret). It indicates that the knowledge to be revealed is of the highest degree of secrecy and intimacy, not easily accessible or understood by ordinary minds. It implies deep spiritual truths meant for qualified recipients.
प्रवक्ष्यामि	pravakṣyāmi
I shall declare A verb meaning ‘I will speak forth,’ ‘I will proclaim,’ or ‘I will narrate thoroughly.’ It emphasizes a deliberate and clear revelation of information.
अनसूयवे	anasūyave
to one who is not envious Derived from ‘an’ (not) and ‘asūyā’ (envy, fault-finding, malice). Thus, ‘anasūyave’ means to someone who is free from envy, jealousy, or the tendency to find faults. This quality is crucial for a student to genuinely receive and benefit from spiritual teachings. Arjuna is being praised for this quality, making him a worthy recipient of this profound wisdom.

Sentence - 3

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ज्ञानं विज्ञानसहितं यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ॥

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Meaning

(This) knowledge, accompanied by realization, by knowing which you will be liberated from all inauspiciousness.

Meaning of Words

ज्ञानं	Jñānam
knowledge (theoretical) Refers to theoretical knowledge, intellectual understanding, or philosophical comprehension of spiritual truths. It is the information received through hearing or reading scriptures and spiritual teachings.
विज्ञानसहितं	vijñāna-sahitaṁ
accompanied by realization, practical knowledge ‘Vijñāna’ refers to realized knowledge, practical application, or direct experience of the theoretical knowledge (jñānam). ‘Sahitam’ means accompanied by. So, ‘vijñāna-sahitaṁ’ means knowledge that is coupled with practical realization and direct experience, not just intellectual understanding. It signifies the wisdom gained from living the truth.
यत्	yat
which A relative pronoun referring back to the ‘knowledge accompanied by realization’ just mentioned.
ज्ञात्वा	jñātvā
having known, having understood An indeclinable past participle meaning ‘after knowing’ or ‘by understanding.’ It implies gaining thorough comprehension and internalizing the knowledge.
मोक्ष्यसे	mokṣyase
you will be liberated, you will be freed A future tense verb meaning ‘you will be released’ or ‘you will attain liberation.’ It refers to emancipation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) and all its attendant sufferings.
अशुभात्	aśubhāt
from misfortune, from inauspiciousness Derived from ‘a’ (not) and ‘śubha’ (auspicious, good). ‘Aśubhāt’ (in the ablative case) means ‘from that which is inauspicious,’ ‘from evil,’ ‘from bad circumstances,’ or ‘from suffering.’ It refers to liberation from all undesirable conditions and karmic reactions.

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