(Based on the Discourses of Pujya Sri Swamiji)
Compiled by Swami Datta Pada Renu.
"The man of faith, who is devoted and has mastered his senses, attains
this knowledge. Having gained the knowledge he attains at once the Supreme
Peace." (39-IV).
It is said in the earlier verse that there is nothing as useful for purification
as Divine knowledge. But who is really entitled to get this knowledge? He
alone can attain this knowledge who has deep faith (Sraddha) in God, in
his Guru and the scriptures. Such a man of faith is called 'Sraddhavan'.
Faith is not a superstitious acceptance of something which is unknown or
unseen. It is a positive attitude of the mind towards exploring and discovering
the unseen Reality. In fact it is not blind or superstitious. Sraddha is
considered as the foremost among the basic virtues for progress in spiritual
life. Sraddha is very akin to Bhakthi. A mind full of Sraddha (faith) and
Bhakti (devotion) will be automatically receptive to the mysteries of spiritual
life.
Unlike the man who possesses a mere belief, the man of faith is intent on
winning the knowledge. As such he becomes devoted to knowledge. In fact
his faith works as an operative force enthusing him to put his heart and
soul in his struggle to attain to the realisation of knowledge. Therefore
although devotion to the ideal is considered the second basic qualification
in the attainment of knowledge, it is nothing but the very stuff of faith.
The third one is the control of the senses. The man who has control over
his senses does not allow them to be tied to the objects of enjoyment. Therefore
his mind does not run helter-skelter and so he is able to concentrate it
on his ideal. He easily gains the knowledge.
What follows from the gain of knowledge? The supreme peace is attained without
delay. All the agonies of a man and tensions of his earthly life are annihilated
forthwith like that of a man who dreams that he is being attacked by bandits
and when he wakes up realises that all his agonies were the creations of
his mind in the dream and there is nothing to be worried and so he is at
peace with himself.
"The ignorant, the man without faith, the doubting self, perishes.
For one who has a doubting mind there is neither this world nor the other
nor happiness". (40-IV).
The man who does not know that the Supreme God is present everywhere and
that he is a part of it is called ignorant. Such a man will have no faith
in God or Guru or the holy scriptures. The man without faith becomes a doubter.
Such a man suffers and perishes.
The man who has doubts as regards the existence of God and in the words
of the scriptures or Gurus will never subject himself to any sort of discipline
either moral or spiritual. And as reactions of the negative actions of his
indisciplined life assail him he remains ever unhappy in this world and
is found to be so even after death. Therefore it is said that to a doubting
soul there is neither this world nor the world beyond. There is no happiness
for him.
"Arjuna, actions do not bind him who is poised in the self, who through
Yoga has renounced works and who has cut through all doubts by means of
knowledge."(41-IV).
Works do not bind one who has renounced all works through theYoga of action.
In fact he does not give up any work. He does all works but with detachment,
that is, without the desire for fruit. Whatever work he does, he does it
in the form of a sacrifice aimed at the welfare of his fellow-men. Therefore
these works do not generate for him effects adverse or favourable.
And also by means of knowledge, that is, by the perception of the indentity
of the self and God, he has cut through all doubts. And as doubts have been
dispelled he is poised in his own self.
"Therefore, O Bharata(Arjuna), with the sword of knowledge cut this
doubt about the self, born of ignorance, residing in your heart. Arise and
resort to Yoga."(42-IV).
In this last verse of this chapter the Lord asks Arjuna to slay the wicked
doubt dwelling in his heart born of ignorance or lack of discrimination.
The Lord says,"O Arjuna, remove your doubts by knowledge. Doubts arise
only due to ignorance. Cut your doubt by the sword of knowledge and resort
to Karma Yoga. Stand up to wage this battle O Bharata Prince".
Through Arjuna the Lord gives the instructions to all humanity. First of
all a man has to clear his mind from all doubts. And then he should fix
his mind upon the ideal of Karma Yoga (work for the sake of humanity) and
carry out his daily works until the highest wisdom is gained. Here ends
the fourth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.