BG 4.1 - Raj Vidya

Hare Krsna

For BG 4.1, the supreme personality of godhead, lord krsna has established the fact of authenticity as well as the significance of BG in this contemporary world in utmost level of accuracy ever possible.

When this verse is read in a mood of faith, intuitiveness and devotion, one can know about the actual age of BG through this verse. One should understand that when there were many people present in the dharmakhetra kurukhetra, why did Krsna choose only Arjuna to narrate this supreme science. And also as said in this verse, why did he always choose the top "Kings" or top "Khyatriyas" to render this knowledge.

It is because, in the next few verses of this chapter, the lord will explain that the 4 categories of classes of men are created by the lord himself and they are designated with specific roles and responsibilities in the society. Amongst them, the "Khyatriyas" are given the responsibility to rule and govern the people. It is their fundamental responsibility to maintain the order of the society. Hence, the necessity of educating the the "Khyatriyas" with proper spiritual knowledge and Sastra is paramount.

Hence for this reason, lord krsna has always handpicked the greatest warriors and kings  to render this knowledge so that they can use it to rule this world, as well as to propagate this knowledge to the people of this world. Like mentioned in this verse, this most sacred science was rendered first to the Sun God (Vivasvān), further it was propagated to Manu (the father of mankind), and then to king of this whole planet - Ikṣvāku (forefather of the Raghu dynasty in which Lord Rama had taken incarnation).

There are various types and forms of knowledge in this world, such as scientific, geographic, linguistic, political, etc. But amongst all of these forms of knowledge i.e., Vidya, the spiritual knowledge is always been defined as supreme knowledge in Sastra. Hence is the same of this knowledge i.e., Raj-Vidya.  Raj - means supreme; Vidya - means knowledge. This precisely establishes 2 facts. Firstly, the spiritual knowledge is the highest form of knowledge and it is above all other forms and type of knowledge. Secondly, it is always meant to le learnt by the most powerful uncommon population of the world i.e., Raja - Kings.

Srila Prabhupada says in purport - "Human life is meant for cultivation of spiritual knowledge, in eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the executive heads of all states and all planets are obliged to impart this lesson to the citizens by education, culture and devotion."

Hence, one should feel very fortunate and naturally elevated while learning the Bhagwatgita and other bonafide Sastras as because it is neither a  ordinary science, nor it is taught to ordinary people as per the logic given by the Lord Krsna himself in this verse. Therefore, one should never consider a person who tries to learn Sastra as a miser or weak personality. On contrary, they are the most powerful and fortunate persons who and ever exist in the face of this planet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.Hare Krsna. Thank you so much.