Surrender - The Most Confidential Knowledge
In the Bhagavad-gītā, Lord Kṛṣṇa takes Arjuna through a progressive journey of spiritual understanding. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this journey moves from confidential knowledge of the soul to the more confidential knowledge of the Supersoul, and finally arrives at the "most confidential knowledge" (guhyatamam). This supreme wisdom is not merely an intellectual concept but a practical call to action: total surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
King of All Knowledge
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes this most confidential knowledge as rāja-vidyā, the king of all knowledge. While ordinary knowledge deals with the material world and theoretical liberation, this knowledge deals with the direct activities of the spirit soul in relation to Kṛṣṇa. It is described as pavitram, or purest, because it is uncontaminated by the modes of material nature.
- Activities of the spirit soul are indicated here (in BG 9.2) as constituting the king of all knowledge, the most confidential part of all knowledge.
- Krsna knowledge, is most confidential and the king of all knowledge. Pavitram means "Not contaminated." Here in this material world everything is contaminated by the material qualities: sattva-guna, rajo-guna, tamo-guna, goodness, passion and ignorance.
Essence: Surrender
The culmination of this knowledge is found in the Eighteenth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that after analyzing various forms of yoga, knowledge, and action, Kṛṣṇa gives His final, most confidential order: sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja. He teaches that abandoning all other religious engagements and surrendering to Kṛṣṇa is not a negation of duty but the perfection of it.
- The conclusion of Lord Krsna in His advice to Arjuna is: "Give up all other religious engagement and just surrender unto Me." This is the most confidential knowledge in executing religious principles.
- At the end of Bhagavad-gita (18.66) Sri Krsna advises Arjuna: "Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear." This is the most confidential part of knowledge.
Qualification to Receive It
Why was this knowledge revealed to Arjuna? Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that it was not because of his military skill or scholarship, but because he was a devotee and, crucially, because he was anasūyu—non-envious. He warns that those who view Kṛṣṇa merely as a historical figure or who are envious of His greatness are disqualified from understanding this mystery. The most confidential knowledge is reserved for those who have established a loving relationship with the Lord.
- In the first verse of this Ninth Chapter, by the word guhyatamam, Sri Krsna intimates that He is imparting the most confidential knowledge to Arjuna. Why is He proclaiming this to Arjuna? It is because Arjuna is anasuyu - non-envious.
- Those who are conscious of Krsna only as a historical personality or who are envious of the greatness of Krsna should not be told this most confidential part of knowledge.
Thinking of Kṛṣṇa
Practically, this surrender manifests as constant remembrance. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the instruction "Always think of Me" (man-manā bhava mad-bhakto) is the active principle of this confidential knowledge. It means molding one's life so that Kṛṣṇa is the center of every activity. This is not a sentiment but a scientific process of yoga that guarantees a return to the spiritual world.
- Concentration of the mind on the form of Krsna constitutes the most confidential part of knowledge, and this is disclosed to Arjuna because Arjuna is the most dear friend of Krsna's.
- The most confidential part of knowledge is that one should become a pure devotee of Krsna and always think of Him and act for Him.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that this most confidential knowledge is the solution to all material problems. By knowing this, one is relieved from the miseries of existence. The secret is open to everyone, provided they are willing to give up their envy and accept Kṛṣṇa's supreme friendship. Surrender is not a loss of self, but the regaining of one's eternal position in the spiritual kingdom.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Most Confidential Knowledge. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.