BG 4.38
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“
Devanagari
न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते ।
तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति ॥ ३८ ॥
Verse text
na hi jṣānena sadṛśaṁ
pavitram iha vidyate
tat svayaṁ yoga-saṁsiddhaḥ
kālenātmani vindati
Synonyms
na
—
nothing
;
hi
—
certainly
;
jṣānena
—
with knowledge
;
sadṛśam
—
in comparison
;
pavitram
—
sanctified
;
iha
—
in this world
;
vidyate
—
exists
;
tat
—
that
;
svayam
—
himself
;
yoga
—
in devotion
;
saṁsiddhaḥ
—
he who is mature
;
kālena
—
in course of time
;
ātmani
—
in himself
;
vindati
—
enjoys.
Translation
In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. And one who has become accomplished in the practice of devotional service enjoys this knowledge within himself in due course of time.
Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
38. In this world there is nothing as pure as knowledge. After some time it is attained of itself from within, through practice of niṣkāma-karma-yoga.
Translation (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)
38. As in this world there is nothing as pure as knowledge, after some time, through the maturation of niṣkāma karma yoga, it is attained of itself from within.
Purport
When we speak of transcendental knowledge, we do so in terms of spiritual understanding. As such, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Ignorance is the cause of our bondage, and knowledge is the cause of our liberation. This knowledge is the mature fruit of devotional service, and when one is situated in transcendental knowledge, he need not search for peace elsewhere, for he enjoys peace within himself. In other words, this knowledge and peace culminate in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is the last word in the Bhagavad-gītā.
Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
In this world, among those who engage in austerities, yoga and other processes, there is nothing to compare to knowledge. That knowledge is not easily attained by everyone, but is fully attained (sam siddhaḥ) [Note: Sam stands for samyak, meaning “completely”.] by practicing niṣkāma-karma-yoga. It is not unobtainable, but is attained in time, not immediately. That knowledge is attained spontaneously within the self (ātmāni), not by accepting external sannyāsa.
Purport (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)
Because (hi) nothing (such as going to holy places or austerity) purifies as much as knowledge, this knowledge which destroys all sin is not easily available for all people. This knowledge, attained through maturity of niṣkāma karma yoga (yoga saṁsiddhaḥ), with time, not immediately, is attained in the ātmā on its own, not by just accepting saṁnyāsa or other external means.
Surrender Unto Me
The word "kalena" means 'in due course of time'. Krsna puts this word in the verse because Arjuna wanted to renounce. And this is a warning to those who want to renounce and take sannyasi thinking that just by superficially adopting the outward garb and become a renunciate, they will be factually renounced and full of transcendental knowledge. For this reason, Krsna uses the word "kalena", by niskama karma 'in due course of time' one will actually enjoy this knowledge within. Not by just taking sannyasi and renouncing work.
[ 3 . Who can achieve: One who has faith can acquire transcendental knowledge; one who doubts cannot. (39‑40) ]