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IV - Path of Renunciation with Knowledge
Lord Krishna said: both you and I have taken many births. I remember them all o Arjuna, but you do not. (4.05) Though I am eternal,
immutable, and the lord of all beings, yet I manifest myself by controlling material nature using my own divine potential energy.
Whenever there is decline of Dharma (Righteousness) and predominance of Adharma (Unrighteousness), O Arjuna, then I manifest Myself. I
appear from time to time for protecting the good, for transforming the wicked, and for reestablishing world order (Dharma). (4.07-08)
With whatever motive people worship Me, I fulfill their desires accordingly. People worship Me with different motives. (4.11) The one
whose mind and senses are under control, and who understands that he cannot control the outcome of his actions, does not incur sin
(Karmic reaction) by doing bodily action. (4.21) A renunciant who is content with whatever gain comes naturally by His will, who is
unaffected by pairs of opposites, like victory and defeat, free from envy, equanimous in success and failure is not bound by Karma.
(4.22)
People perform sacrifice in many different ways. The one, who considers everything as a manifestation, or an act of God, shall realize
God. (4.24) Those who perform selfless service obtain the nectar of Self-knowledge as a result of their sacrifice and attain the Supreme
Being. Acquiring transcendental knowledge is superior to any material sacrifice such as giving charity. Purification of mind and
intellect eventually leads to the dawn of transcendental knowledge and Self-realization, which is the sole purpose of any spiritual
practice. (4.33)
After knowing the transcendental science, O Arjuna, you shall not again become deluded like this. With this knowledge you shall see the
entire creation within your own higher Self, and thus within Me. (4.35) Even if one is the most sinful of all sinners, one shall yet
cross over the ocean of sin by the raft of Self-knowledge alone. (4.36) There is no purifier in this world like the true knowledge of the
Supreme Being. One discovers this knowledge from within in due course, when one’s mind is cleansed of selfishness by selfless service.
(4.38) The one who has faith in God, is sincere in selfless practice, and has control over the mind and senses, gains this transcendental
knowledge. Having gained this knowledge, one quickly attains supreme peace and liberation. (4.39)
Abbreviated By Harry Bhalla.
The numbers in parentheses are the chapter numbers and verse numbers respectively, of the Bhagavad-Gita. If any of this interests you, please visit: www.gita-society.com OR www.gita4free.com
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