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Chapter 4. Transcendental Knowledge TEXT 2 evam parampara-praptam
SYNONYMS  evam--thus;
parampara--disciplic
succession; praptam--received; imam--this science; raja-rsayah--the
saintly kings; viduh--understood;
sah--that knowledge; kalena--in
the course of time; iha--in this world; mahata--by great;
yogah--the science of one's relationship with the Supreme; nastah--scattered;
parantapa--O Arjuna, subduer of the enemies.
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.
PURPORT It is clearly
stated that the Gita was especially meant for the saintly kings
because they were to execute its purpose in ruling over the citizens. Certainly
Bhagavad-gita
was never meant for the demonic persons, who would dissipate its value
for no one's benefit and would devise all types of interpretations according
to personal whims. As soon as the original purpose was scattered by the
motives of the unscrupulous commentators, there arose the need to reestablish
the disciplic succession. Five thousand years ago it was detected by the
Lord Himself that the disciplic succession was broken, and therefore He
declared that the purpose of the Gita appeared to be lost. In the
same way, at the present moment also there are so many editions of the
Gita (especially in English), but almost all of them are not according
to authorized disciplic succession. There are innumerable interpretations
rendered by different mundane scholars, but almost all of them do not accept
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, although they make a good business
on the words of Sri Krsna. This spirit is demonic, because demons do not
believe in God but simply enjoy the property of the Supreme. Since there
is a great need of an edition of the Gita in English, as it is received
by the parampara (disciplic succession) system, an attempt is made
herewith to fulfill this great want. Bhagavad-gita--accepted as
it is--is a great boon to humanity; but if it is accepted as a treatise
of philosophical speculations, it is simply a waste of time.
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