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Chapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge · 42 verses

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Krishna’s natureChapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge
4.14.3

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.2

Ancient lineage of Krishna’s teaching

एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः ।

स कालेनेह महता योगे नष्टः परन्तप ॥ २ ॥

evaṁ paramparā-prāptam

imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ

sa kāleneha mahatā

yogo naṣṭaḥ paran-tapa

Translation

This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Receiving the Gītā As It Is

  1. 1Saintly kings received this supreme science through a chain of teachers. When that chain broke, the science as it is appeared lost.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that personal interpretations hide the Gītā’s purpose, and many scholars reject Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  3. 3Study the Gītā as received through the authorized chain of teachers, rather than through personal speculation.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 4, Transcendental Knowledge: ancient lineage of krishna’s teaching.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Recognize Kṛṣṇa as the source of all.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Spiritual master

The knowledge is described as passed through disciplic succession.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 4.2 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to krishna’s nature?

Practice

Notice something excellent and see it as His opulence.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 4 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 4.3A confidential teaching given to a friendBG 4.34The humility of real inquiryBG 4.1Ancient lineage of Krishna’s teachingBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 11.51Composure returns in Krishna’s personal presence

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 4.2 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.