Chapter 4, Verse 3 (Bhagavad Gita 4.3)
Chapter 4: Jñāna Karm Sanyās Yog – Path of Knowledge and the Disciplines of Action
Sanskrit Shloka
स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः। भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम्
Transliteration
sa evāyaṁ mayā te ’dya yogaḥ proktaḥ purātanaḥ bhakto ’si me sakhā cheti rahasyaṁ hyetad uttamam
Word Meanings
saḥ—that; eva—certainly; ayam—this; mayā—by me; te—unto you; adya—today; yogaḥ—the science of Yog; proktaḥ—reveal; purātanaḥ—ancient; bhaktaḥ—devotee; asi—you are; me—my; sakhā—friend; cha—and; iti—therefore; rahasyam—secret; hi—certainly; etat—this; uttamam—supreme
Translation
That same ancient yoga has been today imparted to you by Me, because you are My devotee and My friend; it is indeed the supreme secret.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse reveals that divine knowledge is not a new invention but an eternal truth that requires a receptive vessel to be understood. Krishna selects Arjuna not just for his lineage, but because their bond of friendship and devotion creates the necessary bridge of trust for spiritual transmission. True wisdom is a 'supreme secret' not because it is hidden away, but because it remains inaccessible to those who lack the humility of a devotee and the intimacy of a friend. It teaches us that to receive the deepest truths of life, one must cultivate a heart of surrender and a relationship with the Divine that transcends mere intellectual pursuit.