"One Who Seeks That Objective Is the Real Student of Bhagavad Gītā"

*tasmād ajñāna-sambhūtaṁ hṛt-sthaṁ jñānāsinātmanaḥ chittvainaṁ saṁśayaṁ yogam ātiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhārata* [Bg. 4.42] ***Therefore the doubts which have arisen in your heart out of ignorance should be slashed by the weapon of knowledge. Armed with yoga, O Bhārata, stand and fight.*** **Purport** The yoga system instructed in this chapter is called sanātana-yoga, or the eternal activities performed by the living entity. This yoga has two divisions of sacrificial actions: one is the sacrifice of one’s material possessions, and the other is the sacrifice of knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity. If the sacrifice of one’s material possessions is not dovetailed for spiritual realization, then such a sacrifice remains material. However, one who performs such sacrifices with a spiritual objective, or in devotional service, makes a perfect sacrifice. When we come to spiritual activities, we find that these are also divided into two: namely, understanding of one’s own self (or one’s constitutional position) and understanding the truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gītā as it is can very easily comprehend these two important divisions of spiritual knowledge. For such a person, there is no difficulty in obtaining perfect knowledge of the self as part and parcel of the Lord. This understanding is highly beneficial, as it enables one to easily grasp the transcendental activities of the Lord. At the beginning of this chapter, the transcendental activities of the Lord were discussed by the Supreme Lord Himself. One who does not understand the instructions of the Gītā is faithless and is considered to be misusing the fragmental independence awarded to him by the Lord. Despite receiving such instructions, if one fails to realize the true nature of the Lord as the eternal, blissful, all-knowing Personality of Godhead, he is certainly "fool number one." Ignorance, however, can be removed through the gradual acceptance of the principles of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is awakened through various types of sacrifices, such as sacrifices to the demigods, sacrifices to Brahman, sacrifices in celibacy, in household life, in controlling the senses, in practicing mystic yoga, in penance, in forgoing material possessions, in studying the Vedas, and in partaking in the social institution called varṇāśrama-dharma. All of these are known as sacrifices, and all are based on regulated action. However, within all these activities, the most important factor is self-realization. One who seeks that objective is the real student of Bhagavad-gītā, whereas one who doubts the authority of Kṛṣṇa falls back. Therefore, one is advised to study Bhagavad-gītā, or any other scripture, under a bona fide spiritual master, with service and surrender. A bona fide spiritual master belongs to the disciplic succession from time immemorial and does not deviate at all from the instructions of the Supreme Lord, as they were originally imparted millions of years ago to the sun-god. From the sun-god, these instructions have been passed down to the earthly kingdom. Thus, one should follow the path of Bhagavad-gītā as it is, as expressed within the Gītā itself, and remain cautious of self-interested individuals seeking personal aggrandizement who mislead others from the actual path. The Lord is undoubtedly the Supreme Person, and His activities are transcendental. One who understands this is a liberated person from the very beginning of his study of Bhagavad-gītā.