Verse 4.38

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 4.38:

न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रम् इह विद्यते ।
तत् स्वयं योग-संसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति ॥ ३८ ॥

na hi jñānena sadṛśaṃ pavitram iha vidyate |
tat svayaṃ yoga-saṃsiddhaḥ kālenātmani vindati || 38 ||

na–not; hi–verily; jñānena–to be compared with transcendental knowledge; sadṛśam–such a thing; pavitram–purifying thing; iha–in this world; vidyate–exists; tat–that (jñāna); svayam–spontaneously manifest; yoga-saṃsiddhaḥ–one who has attained complete perfection of niṣkāma-karma-yoga; kālena–in due course of time; ātmani–within his heart; vindati–achieves.

In this world, there is nothing more purifying than transcendental knowledge. A person who has attained complete perfection in worshipping the Supreme Lord by working without attachment to the fruit of his prescribed duty spontaneously receives such knowledge within his heart, in due course of time.

Commentary: Sārārtha-Varṣiṇī Ṭīkā

(By Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura; the innermost intention of the commentary named ‘the shower of essential meanings’)

Here it is said that the performance of austerities, yoga and other processes are not as purifying as transcendental knowledge. Not everyone can attain this knowledge. It is not achieved immediately nor is it achieved in the immature stage. It is achieved after attaining complete perfection in worshipping Bhagavān by working without attachment to the fruit of action (niṣkāma-karma-yoga) over a prolonged period of time. This knowledge reveals itself within oneself. One does not receive this transcendental knowledge merely by accepting the renounced order.