श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः। ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति।।4.39।।
śraddhāvān labhate jñānaṁ tat‑paraḥ saṃyatendriyaḥ jñānaṁ labdhvā parāṁ śāntiṁ acireṇa adhigacchati
Translation
A person full of faith attains knowledge; being very attached to it and having controlled the senses, having obtained that knowledge, he quickly attains supreme peace.
Word Meanings
śraddhāvān — a faithful person; labhate — attains; jñānaṃ — knowledge; tat‑paraḥ — very attached to it; saṃyatendriyaḥ — one who controls the senses; jñānaṃ — knowledge; labdhvā — having obtained; parāṃ — supreme; śāntim — peace; acireṇa — very soon; adhigacchati — attains
Understanding the Verse
The verse emphasizes that true spiritual progress begins with deep faith (śraddhā). Faith is not blind belief but a firm conviction in the teachings of the Lord and the efficacy of self‑realization. When such faith is present, the seeker naturally inclines toward acquiring jñāna, the transcendental knowledge that distinguishes the material from the spiritual. This knowledge is not merely intellectual; it is a direct perception of the self as a part of the divine, revealing the eternal nature of the soul.
However, the verse also stresses the importance of self‑discipline, expressed by the term saṃyatendriyaḥ – one who has restrained the senses. The mind and senses, when left uncontrolled, become the greatest obstacles to realizing the Supreme. By mastering them, the aspirant creates an inner environment conducive to the clear reception of spiritual wisdom. This discipline does not imply suppression but a harmonious regulation that channels the senses toward the divine goal.
Once knowledge (jñāna) is attained, the verse describes a transformation: the seeker obtains parāṁ śāntiḥ, the highest, unshakable peace that is beyond all material fluctuations. This supreme peace is not a temporary feeling of calm; it is a permanent state of consciousness in which the soul rests in its true nature, free from the cycles of birth, death, and worldly distress. The phrase acireṇa indicates that this peace is attained swiftly when the conditions of faith and self‑control are fulfilled. The Lord assures the devotee that the spiritual path, though requiring earnest effort, leads to immediate and profound results once the proper foundation is laid.
In a broader context, this verse reassures the practitioner that the combination of sincere faith, disciplined control of the senses, and earnest pursuit of knowledge forms a powerful triad that guarantees liberation (moksha). It serves as a practical guide: first nurture unwavering devotion, then practice self‑restraint, and finally seek the ultimate knowledge that dissolves all dualities. The reward is the timeless peace of the Self, which is the ultimate aim of every spiritual seeker.
