Read a Lecture by Srila Prabhupada on this Verse
Wv& ParMParaPa[aáiMaMa& raJazRYaae ivdu" )
Sa k-ale/Naeh MahTaa YaaeGaae Naí" ParNTaPa )) 2 ))
evaà paramparä-präptam
imaà räjarñayo viduù
sa käleneha mahatä
yogo nañöaù parantapa
SYNONYMS
evam-thus; paramparä-by disciplic succession; präptam-received; imam-this science; räja-åñayaù-the saintly kings; viduù-understood; saù-that knowledge; kälena-in the course of time; iha-in this world; mahatä-great; yogaù-the science of one's relationship with the Supreme; nañöaù-scattered; parantapa-O Arjuna, subduer of the enemies.
TRANSLATION
This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.
PURPORT
It is clearly stated that the Gétä was especially meant for the saintly kings because they were to execute its purpose in ruling over the citizens. Certainly Bhagavad-gétä was never meant for the demonic persons, who would dissipate its value for no one's benefit and would devise all types of interpretations according to personal whims. As soon as the original purpose was scattered by the motives of the unscrupulous commentators, there arose the need to reestablish the disciplic succession. Five thousand years ago it was detected by the Lord Himself that the disciplic succession was broken, and therefore He declared that the purpose of the Gétä appeared to be lost. In the same way, at the present moment also there are so many editions of the Gétä (especially in English), but almost all of them are not according to authorized disciplic succession. There are innumerable interpretations rendered by different mundane scholars, but almost all of them do not accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa, although they make a good business on the words of Çré Kåñëa. This spirit is demonic, because demons do not believe in God but simply enjoy the property of the Supreme. Since there is a great need of an edition of the Gétä in English, as it is received by the paramparä (disciplic succession) system, an attempt is made herewith to fulfill this great want. Bhagavad-gétä-accepted as it is-is a great boon to humanity; but if it is accepted as a treatise of philosophical speculations, it is simply a waste of time.
