Chapter 4 Shloka 38
न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते।
तत् स्वयं योगसंसिद्ध: कालेनात्मनि विन्दति।।३८।।
Now the Lord says, O Arjuna!
There is no greater purifier in this world other than knowledge. One who has reached perfection through Yoga, experiences the accomplishment of Yoga within himself in the course of time.
My little seeker of Yoga, the Lord first says, that there is nothing in this world more purifying than knowledge.
Why did the Lord make this statement?
1. Only knowledge can destroy ignorance.
2. Only knowledge can banish ignorance and transform it into knowledge.
3. Only knowledge can rid one of the falsehood of attachment to the body.
4. Only knowledge can uproot the iniquity of moha.
5. Only knowledge can turn a selfish attitude into a selfless one.
6. Only knowledge can wash away the foulness of the mind.
7. Only knowledge can annihilate the illusion of the body idea.
8. Only knowledge can annihilate the ego that says ‘I am this body’.
9. Only knowledge can elevate the individual to Godhood.
What then can be greater than knowledge? Knowledge is the purifier, knowledge is purity itself.
Now the Lord says that one who achieves perfection in Yoga, experiences that perfection within himself in the course of time.
Little one!
1. The daily existence of the Atmavaan resembles that of an ordinary person.
2. In the course of time, an Atmavaan begins to experience the effects of the attainment of Yoga.
3. However, proof of the substantiation of that Yoga in one’s life can take some time. It is comparatively simple to remain silent for one day; but proof of internal silence can only come after one has retained that ‘silence’ for a length of time.
4. It is easy to be indifferent to one’s body for a short while, but proof of complete detachment can only come after a span of time.
5. One may tolerate defamation or insult for some time, but a state of equanimity can only be experienced by unceasing detachment towards both insult and praise.
Experience follows only after a state is achieved. This experience can only come from one’s own example, and only when one has given proof in one’s life of having transcended the body idea. It takes some time for such proof to be forthcoming.
An Atmavaan remains silent about his state, until he has experienced it in his everyday life. Nor does he attempt to preach knowledge to the world.
