B.G 4.01, 02, and 03
śrībhagavānuvāca
imaṁ vivasvatē yōgaṁ prōktavānahamavyayam। vivasvānmanavē prāha manurikṣvākavēbravīt ॥1॥
Sri Bhagavān said:
I shared this eternal and undying Yōga with the Sun. He taught it to his son Manu, and Manu narrated it to Iksvaku.
ēvaṁ paramparāprāptamimaṁ rājarṣayō viduḥ। sa kālēnēha mahatā yōgō naṣṭaḥ parantapa ॥2॥
Thus, the knowledge was passed down through the disciple succession of royal kings. But, O Scorcher of foes, as time passed, this magnificent Yōga was lost.
sa ēvāyaṁ mayā tē'dya yōgaḥ prōktaḥ purātanaḥ। bhaktō'si mē sakhā cēti rahasyaṁ hyētaduttamam ॥3॥
Because you are both my dear friend and a devoted student, I have shared that same secret supreme knowledge, the ancient Yōga, to you.
Gīta Bhāshya 4.01-03
This chapter delves into the immense significance of the Supreme, the process of distinguishing actions, and the crucial role of knowledge. This verse provides evidence that the knowledge to be shared was prevalent in the past as well.
buddhēḥ parasya māhātmyaṁ, karmabhēdaḥ, jñānamāhātmyaṁ ca ucyatē asminnadhyāyē।
Understanding of the greatness of Supreme, how to differentiate the duties, and the greatness of knowledge are narrated in this chapter.
pūrvānuṣṭhitaścāyaṁ dharmaḥ ityāha - imam iti ॥1-3॥
Previously also DHARMA was practiced is indicated by 'imam' verse.
Gīta Tātparya 4.01-03
This chapter explores the concepts of knowledge and the nature of actions in great detail. The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Pancharatra tradition.
uktayōḥ jñānakarmaṇōrubhayōḥ viśēṣavistarātmakō'yamadhyāyaḥ।
The topics of knowledge and duties are dealt with special depth in this chapter.
"brahmarudrēndra sūryāṇāṁ yaddattaṁ viṣṇunā purā। pañcarātrātmakaṁ jñānaṁ vyāsō'dāt pāṇḍavēṣu tat। tēṣāmēvāvatārēṣu sēnāmadhyē'rjunāya ca। prādāt gītēti nirdiṣṭaṁ saṅkṣēpēṇāyuyutsavē॥
The knowledge of Pancharatra that was given to Brahma, Rudra, Indra and the Sun previously by lord Vishnu, that same knowledge was imparted to Pandavas in their incarnations by Vyasa. Vyasa presented it to Arjuna in the middle of the armies, as Bhagavad Gita, that is definitive and concise.
yathā kurvanti karmāṇi yathā jānanti dēvatāḥ। sarvē kārtayugāścaiva nr̥pāśca manupūrvakāḥ। jñātavyaṁ caiva kartavyaṁ yathā sarvaiḥ mumukṣubhiḥ। traitāditriṣu jātaiśca gītāyāṁ tadudāhr̥tam॥
The way a person performs deeds, gods known him to be that. All kings have performed deeds in accordance with Manu, since Krita age. All seekers of liberation should know and practice these deeds. Thus, the Bhagavad Gita elaborates on the three Vedas and their origin.
pāṇḍavādyāḥ kṣēmakāntāḥ kariṣyanti ca jānatē। tathaiva tēna gītāyā nāsti śāstraṁ samaṁ kvacit। vēdārthapūrvakaṁ jñēyaṁ pañcarātraṁ yatō'khilam। tatsaṅkṣēpaśca gītēyaṁ tasmānnāsyāḥ samaṁ kvacit॥"
Stating from Pandavas to king Kshema understood and acted accordingly. Therefore, it is said, there is no scripture equal to the Bhagavad Gita anywhere. Study and practice of the Pāñcarātra gives the knowledge of the Vedas. The Bhagavad Gita provides the summary and essence of Pāñcarātra. Therefore, there is no scripture equal to it anywhere.
iti brahmavaivartē ॥1-3॥
-states Brahma Vaivarta Purana.
