Word meanings
- śrī-bhagavān uvāca
- the Supreme Lord said
- idam
- this
- tu
- but
- te
- to you
- guhya-tamam
- the most confidential
- pravakṣyāmi
- I shall impart
- anasūyave
- nonenvious
- jñānam
- knowledge
- vijñāna
- realized knowledge
- sahitam
- with
- yat
- which
- jñātvā
- knowing
- mokṣyase
- you will be released
- aśubhāt
- miseries of material existence
Translations
The Blessed Lord said, "I shall now declare to thee, who does not cavil, the greatest secret—the knowledge combined with experience (Self-realisation). Having known this, thou shalt be free from evil."
Lord Shri Krishna said: I will now reveal to you, since you do not doubt, that profound mysticism, which, when followed with experience, will liberate you from sin.
The Blessed Lord said: However, to you who are not given to cavilling, I shall speak of this highest secret itself, which is knowledge combined with experience, by realizing which you shall be free from evil.
श्रीभगवान् बोले -- यह अत्यन्त गोपनीय विज्ञानसहित ज्ञान दोषदृष्टिरहित तेरे लिये तो मैं फिर अच्छी तरहसे कहूँगा, जिसको जानकर तू अशुभसे अर्थात् जन्म-मरणरूप संसारसे मुक्त हो जायगा।Commentary
Idam (this) alludes to knowledge of the Self. Jnana Theoretical knowledge of Brahman through the study of the Upanishads, also known as Paroksha Brahma Jnana. Vijnana Direct intuitive perception of Brahman or Atma-Sakshatkara, also known as Aparoksha Brahma Jnana. This alone forms the direct means of attaining to liberation from evil or the bondage of Samsara, freedom from birth and death. The knowledge of the Self is the most profound secret. It can hardly be described in words.
It can be realised only through direct experience or spiritual intuition. Atman or Brahman or the selfluminous, eternal? Supreme Purusha is ever shining in the chambers of the hearts of men. Throughout the ages there have always been a few who have trodden the spiritual path and found out this secret or the spiritual treasure of the precious pearl of the Self. Knowledge of the Self is the only direct means for attaining liberation? Karma Yoga purifies the heart and leads to the dawn of the knowledge of the Self.
Lord Krishna says? O Arjuna? I shall teach you this profoundest secret knowledge combined with realisation as you are free from jealousy. From this we can clearly understand that freedom from jealousy is an important alification for an aspirant. Knowledge can only dawn in a mind which is free from all forms of jealousy which causes great distraction of the mind and produces intense heartburning. Matsarya (malicious envy)? Irshya (jealous of others prosperity or happiness) and Asuya (envious or indignant over the merits of another) are all varieties of jealousy.
If you superimpose evil alities on a virtuous man who really does not possess these alities on a virtuous man who really does not possess these alities and speak ill of him, this is jealousy (Asuya). To behold evil or to look at a person with the faultfinding evil eye, and to see evil in him who is free from any kind of fault and who is virtuous is Asyua. Jealousy is only pettymindedness. This is a modification of ignorance. It can be eradicated by eniry of the nature of the Self and cultivating its opposite alities, viz., nobility, broad and universal tolerance, magnanimity and largeheartedness.
To thee who does not carp or cavil This implies that Arjuna was endowed with all the virtues of a disciple such as straightforwardness, selfcontrol, restraint of the senses, serenity of mind, discrmination, dispassion, etc. This is the Upalakshana (the truth alluded to where only a part is stated) and Asuya is the Upalakshaka (the hint which alludes to the Upalakshana).