6 Raja-vidya: The King of Knowledge

one subject and another in another subject. This
knowledge, however, is sovereign over all others, and
all other knowledge is subject or relative to it. The
word raja-guh yam indicates that this sovereign knowl-
edge is very confidential, and the word pavitram
means that it is very pure. This knowledge is also
uttamam; ud means “transcend,” and tama means
“darkness,” and that knowledge which surpasses this ~
world and the knowledge of this world is called
uttamam. It is the knowledge of light, and darkness
has been separated from it. If one follows this path
of knowledge, he will personally understand how far
he has progressed down the path of perfection
(pratyaksavagamam dharmyam). Susukham kartum
indicates that this knowledge is very happy and
joyful to execute. And avyayam indicates that this
knowledge is permanent. We may work in this
material world for education or riches, but these
things are not avyayam, for as soon as this body is
finished, everything else is also finished. With death,
our education, advanced degrees, bank balances,
family—everything—are all finished. Whatever we’re
doing in this material world is not eternal. However,
this knowledge is not like that.

nehabhikrama-naso ’sti
pratyavayo na vidyate

svalpam apy asya dharmasya
trayate mahato bhayat

“In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and
a little advancement on this path can protect one
from the most dangerous type of fear.” (Bg. 2.40)
