Bg. 4.33

Here Krsna gives a gradation of advancement, which sacrifice is more elevated than others. One may do a sacrifice, like karma‑kanda (the sacrifice of a little of sense gratification to get even more sense gratification) but do it without knowledge. Knowledge is to know the difference between the body and the self, to know Krsna's position, how Krsna reacts with the material world... Karma‑kanda sacrifice is done without knowledge, still is a sacrifice, and the result of this sacrifice is, gradually, transcendental knowledge. Sacrifices done without knowledge are inferior to those done with knowledge because the purpose of sacrifices done without knowledge is to bring one to the position of transcendental knowledge. Performing something in knowledge is far superior and the results will be different, than performing something without knowledge. This is true in Krsna consciousness as well. The more we know what we are doing, the more potent what we do is. In his Purport Srila Prabhupada says: "The purpose of all sacrifices is to arrive at the status of complete knowledge, then to gain release from material miseries, and, ultimately, to engage in loving transcendental service to the Supreme Lord (Krsna consciousness). Nonetheless, there is a mystery about all these different activities of sacrifice, and one should know this mystery. Sacrifices sometimes take different forms according to the particular faith of the performer. When one's faith reaches the stage of transcendental knowledge, the performer of sacrifices should be considered more advanced those who simply sacrifice material possessions without such knowledge, for without attainment of knowledge, sacri remain on the material platform and bestow no spiritual benefit. Real knowledge culminates in Krsna consciousness, the hi stage of transcendental knowledge. Without the elevation of knowledge, sacrifices are simply material activities. When, however, they are elevated to the level of transcendental knowledge, all such activities enter onto the spiritual platform. Depending on differences in consciousness, sacrif activities are sometimes called karma‑ kanda (fruitive activities) and sometimes jnana‑kanda (knowledge in the pursuit of truth). It is better when the end is knowledge." QUESTION: Narottama dasa Thakura considers karma‑kanda or jnana‑ kanda as "pots of poison", and here we are studying these as important. Could you elaborate on this point? ANSWER: Karma or jnana separated from Krsna, for a devotee is worst than useless because it is an entanglement. Jnana is a product of the mode of goodness and this has to be given up if one wants to transcend. This will be explained in the next chapter. But here we are talking about jnana, knowledge about Krsna not the other type of knowledge which is considered as a "pot of poison". This knowledge here is transcendental, is elevating. Searching for knowledge about the difference between the body and the self in order to get free from material bondage is also very entangling, it brings one to the practice of false renunciation. And ultimately in order to get liberation from the path of jnana one has to use bhakti. QUESTION: The mayavadis preach that all the paths lead to the same goal, and their goal is jnana or knowledge. Here we see, all the different types of sacrifice also lead to transcendental knowledge. Do the mayavadis use this section of Bhagavad‑gita to support their statement? ANSWER: Everything depends on one's consciousness. If someone performs a sacrifice improperly, 'avidhi purvakam', against the actual knowledge, then he will not get any transcendental result. Krsna has already explained that He is supplying the fruits that the demigods give to everyone. People get the fruits by worshiping the demigods, but they don't get anything transcendental when they worship the demigods if they worship them as independent. The point is consciousness. If one has transcendental knowledge one's activities will always illuminate one. And if one has not transcendental knowledge one can be performing the same activity and the results they will be simply material, with no lasting benefit. The last section is more or less a repetition of the point already covered. [ E . SUMMARY OF TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE : (4. 34‑42) 1 . HOW TO ACHIEVE TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE 2 . THE FRUIT OF TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE 3 . WHO CAN SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVE TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE 4 . THE SYMPTOMS OF ONE WHO HAS SUCCESSFULLY APPLIED TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE TO WORK 5 . CONCLUSION 1 . How to achieve: To receive transcendental knowledge, approach and surrender to a self‑realized spiritual master with submissive inquiry and service. (34) ] This Section has ultimately the conclusion of this Chapter, because doesn't want that someone stays just on the platform of jnana and just renounce from work ‑ He wants him to work but in transcendental knowledge. When one receives transcendental knowledge from the disciplic succession it is so powerful that if one becomes fixed in this transcendental knowledge about Krsna, who is He, what His position is, and one works in that consciousness, then all the reactions to one's work will be destroyed. This is the result of working in transcendental knowledge, in Krsna consciousness ‑ there will be no reactions. This is actually the conclusion of this Section which is the conclusion of this Chapter, and practically is the conclusi the Bhagavad‑gita.