Live Session - Pragmatic Gita - Chapter 4, Shlokas 34 to 42, Vancouver, BC

Asking questions vs questioning the teacher

While studying verse 4.1, we discussed ascending knowledge and descending knowledge. Ascending knowledge is knowledge gained by people based on their trial and error and with limited scope. Whereas, descending knowledge is given by people who are subject matter experts. The Vedas and Bhagavad gita are examples of descending knowledge where God himself has given the knowledge, so it is perfect knowledge.

In 4.34, Krishna is telling us to gain spiritual knowledge by approaching a spiritual guru or guide. Krishna is instructing us to inquire from our spiritual guide with humility and with a submissive mindset and to render loving service to our guru. 

There are three things Krishna says we should follow to acquire transcendental knowledge (descending knowledge):

Praṇipātena — This refers to the act of humbling oneself before a knowledgeable person, showing respect and acknowledging their wisdom. In the spiritual context, it signifies surrendering one's ego and approaching the teacher with humility.

Paripraśhnena — This refers to humble inquiries aimed at understanding the concepts (Not questioning the teacher) and making sure that there are no doubts lingering in our minds

 

Sevayā — This refers to rendering service to the spiritual guide or guru. Serving the teacher or guru is a way to show gratitude and respect. It also helps in building a bond of trust and understanding between the teacher and the student. 

We should understand that Krishna is using the term ‘pariprashna’ and not just ‘prashna’. In Sanskrit, prashna means question. Pariprashna means questioning with humility and with the intent to understand, and not just questioning for the sake of questioning or questioning disrespectfully. 

In verse 2.7, Arjuna admits that he is confused. He says “I am confused, I take recourse to your superior wisdom. My wisdom fails here. I am your student. Your disciple. Please teach me what is really good for me”.

It is only when a student surrenders to the teacher will the teacher begin to teach. Unsought advice is not allowed in Vedanta. Unless you seek something, what is given to you has no value. Krishna is saying that we should prepare ourselves to be a good student by cultivating a mindset of humility and submissiveness and we should seek knowledge from a spiritual guide or guru who have themselves understood the truth. 

There is a lot of importance given to a guru. In the vedas it is said that spiritual knowledge cannot be purchased for a price. It is revealed by the Guru’s grace, when the disciple develops humility, and the Guru is pleased with the service and attitude of the disciple.

After developing the right mindset, purifying ourselves, approaching the guru and facing many challenges, we may gain higher spiritual knowledge. However, there's a fear that we could forget this knowledge, just as we forget many things from our past. But here, Shri Krishna is providing a strong assurance that once we receive and truly understand this divine knowledge, we will never lose it. This is a very reassuring promise coming straight from Shri Krishna.

People without knowledge may feel very confused when they look at a plane flying and think it is some kind of magic. However, people who have the right knowledge will realize that the plane is flying only due to the support of laws of nature. They also realize that the same laws of nature allow for huge ships to float on water as well. 

Similarly, Krishna is saying that once we get the higher spiritual knowledge, we will start seeing God’s presence in everything, everywhere. Once we reach that stage, we will never get delusional again and we will get on the path to liberation.

Krishna tells Arjuna that by truly understanding his inner self, he'll realize that everything around him - from the physical world to emotions and thoughts - is just an extension of his own true nature. This deeper understanding aligns him with Krishna, the ultimate soul.