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Chapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge · 42 verses

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Krishna’s natureChapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge
4.24.4

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.3

A confidential teaching given to a friend

स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः ।

भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥ ३ ॥

sa evāyaṁ mayā te ’dya

yogaḥ proktaḥ purātanaḥ

bhakto ’si me sakhā ceti

rahasyaṁ hy etad uttamam

Translation

That very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today told by Me to you because you are My devotee as well as My friend and can therefore understand the transcendental mystery of this science.

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.

Understanding Through Devotion

  1. 1Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna this ancient science of relationship with the Supreme because Arjuna is His devotee and friend.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that genuine Gītā commentaries follow Arjuna, who accepts Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  3. 3Follow the disciplic succession from Arjuna and avoid commentaries that misrepresent Kṛṣṇa.

Where we are

In the story

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

What it teaches

Study note

Krishna places theological instruction within a loving relationship.

How it feels

Interpretive

Trust and closeness

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Spiritual master

Krishna speaks confidential knowledge to His friend and devotee.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does devotion change the way I hear spiritual knowledge?

Practice

Study one teaching with the intention to deepen devotion, not just accumulate information.

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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 4.2Ancient lineage of Krishna’s teachingBG 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 4.3 — 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.