Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9: Rajavidya-rajaguhya Yoga
Welcome to an in-depth exploration of the ninth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita: Rajavidya-rajaguhya Ypga, commonly known as the Yoga of Royal and Discriminatory Knowledge.
In this pivotal section of the "Song of God," Sri Krishna reveals to Arjuna the most profound secrets of existence and the essence of Dharma. This chapter is a cornerstone of Vedantic philosophy, teaching us how to see the presence of God in all creation while understanding His transcendental nature.
Guided by the expertise of Pedro Nonell, a renowned Spanish scholar of the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, and the teachings of and Swami Vivekananda, we delve into the "King of Sciences" to find the path toward spiritual liberation and direct experience of the Truth.
Essence of Dharma: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 (Rajavidya-rajaguhya)
In the previous chapters of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna observed that Arjuna had faith (“you who do not censure” Bhagavad Gita 9-1) and therefore was already prepared to know the mysterious knowledge (“the king of sciences”) and the sovereign secret (“the king of mysteries”), that is, the eternal and absolute Truth, which can only be known through direct experience (“discriminatory knowledge”).
Syllabus of Chapter 9
- Introduction and summary of Chapter 9- The Yoga of Royal and Discriminatory Knowledge
- Chapter reading - Yoga of Royal and Discriminatory Knowledge (Gandhi's Gita, Sivananda):
- Key topics:
- Verses 1-3: The King of Sciences (“the essence of Dharma”) and the Mysterious Sovereign Secret (only through direct experience and Faith can they be known). Atmanvidya
- Verses 4-6: The “paradox” of the Lord's sovereign power
- Verses 7-10: creation (Srishti), preservation and destruction (Pralaya) of the universe
- Verses 11-15: Fools and enlightened (Bhakti Yoga-Devotion and Jnana Yoga). Incarnations
- Verses 16-19: Universal Form of the Lord
- Verses 20-25: Failure to follow Vedic law and not Bhakti. Worship of other Gods. Rewards of Nishkama Karma (action performed without any expectation of its fruits or results) and Sakama Karma (or Kamya Karma, selfish actions)
- Verses 26-34: Bhakti Yoga (Devotional Path) and surrender to the Lord (Brahman) through Karma Yoga (Nishkama Karma)
- Reading the versified adaptation of this chapter
- Analysis of each verse and its comments from chapter 9 (Gita Makaranadam by )
- Readings by Swami Vivekananda and Sri Ramakrishna related to the Chapter 9- The Yoga of Royal and Discriminatory Knowledge
- Exercises of Chapter 9- Rajavidya-rajaguhya Yoga
Summary of The Yoga of Royal Knowledge
If the Yogi does not have faith in this knowledge (Jnana), he will not realize the Lord nor will he be freed from death (“they return again and again to the path of the world of death” Bhagavad Gita 11.3), if he has it he will be liberated of evil.
Sri Krishna explained to Arjuna that this Knowledge is the essence of Dharma:
Sri Krishna stated the following paradox “everyone is in Him, but He is not in them”:
“Sri Krishna: This entire cosmic manifestation is permeated by Me in My unmanifested form. All living beings dwell in Me, but I do not dwell in them” Bhagavad Gita 9-4.
And then he gave the answer to this paradox: this mystery (miracle) was his only power.
“Sri Krishna: And yet, living beings do not remain in Me. Here is the mystery of My divine energy! Although I am the Creator and Sustainer of all living beings, I am not influenced by them or material nature” Bhagavad Gita 9-5.
That is, all creation is from the Lord (Sat-Chit-Ananda, Allah, Brahman or whatever you want to call him), the visible and the invisible, and therefore all beings are in Him, however He transcends everything, since He is the author of everything, thus we could deduce that beings are not in He.
And Sri Krishna explained this secret to him in terms of Prakriti and Kalpa: at the end of a Kalpa or “night of Brahma” (destruction of the universe) all beings are absorbed in His Prakriti, at the beginning of a Kalpa or “day of Brahma” (evolution or manifestation of the universe) gives them life:
“Sri Krishna: At the end of a cycle (Kalpa) all beings, Ο son of Kunti, enter My Prakriti (primary material energy), and at the beginning of a cycle I manifest them again” Bhagavad Gita 9-7.
Prakriti refers to the basic matter of the universe. In Chapter 14 The Yoga of the Differentiation of the Three Gunas of the Bhagavad Gita is explained in detail:
And again Sri Krishna reaffirmed to Arjuna that all his Kauravas cousins whom he had to fight were already dead because of His Prakriti:
“Sri Krishna: Recourse to My Prakriti, I send again and again this multitude of powerless beings under the dominion of Prakriti” Bhagavad Gita 9-1.
And yet, the Lord is not acting in this entire process:
“Sri Krishna: But all this activity does not bind Me, remaining indifferent, without I tying myself to it” Bhagavad Gita 9-9.
Commentary by Swami Vidya Prakashananda on this verse:
“The impurity caused by ignorance is only cleansed with
Knowledge. The subtle body needs purification. And the purifying agents are Nishkama Karma, meditation, worship of God and other similar practices. Of all
of them, Knowledge is the best and greatest purifier.
Each individual has to find that Knowledge for himself.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the meaning of "Rajavidya" in Chapter 9?
Rajavidya translates to the "King of Sciences." It refers to the highest form of knowledge—the knowledge of the Self and God—which is considered superior to all secular or material sciences because it leads to eternal liberation.
How does Sri Krishna describe God's relationship with the universe in this chapter?
Sri Krishna presents a beautiful paradox: He permeates the entire universe in His unmanifested form. While all beings dwell within Him, He remains independent and is not influenced by material nature or the actions of living beings.
What is the "Sovereign Secret" mentioned by Pedro Nonell?
The sovereign secret is the direct realization of God through faith and devotion. It is "secret" not because it is hidden, but because it can only be understood through a pure heart and direct experience, rather than mere intellectual study.
Who is Pedro Nonell?
Pedro Nonell is a leading Spanish expert, author, and translator dedicated to the Bhagavad Gita and Advaita Vedanta. He has spent years disseminating the wisdom of Swami Vivekananda and Sri Ramakrishna to the Spanish-speaking world and beyond through the Gita Institute.
Conclusion
The study of Chapter 9 of the Bhagavad Gita reminds us that the spiritual path is not merely a collection of rituals, but a journey toward a direct, intimate relationship with God.
By understanding the "Yoga of Royal Knowledge," we learn that every action performed as an offering becomes a means of purification.
As Pedro Nonell emphasizes through his translations and commentaries, the wisdom of the Gita is timeless and universal, offering a practical map for navigating the complexities of modern life while remaining anchored in the eternal Truth of the Atman.
Listen to the video of Pedro Nonell with English subtitles
Yoga del Conocimiento Real y Discriminatorio 
Ioga Conhecimento Real.
Chapter 9 verse 26- Rajavidya-rajaguhya Yoga (Swami Vidya Prakashananda)
Subject Example (Es):
Subject Example (Es):
Bhagavad Gita recited in Spanish (Pedro Nonell) and Sanskrit (Dr Ghazal Srinivas)
(c) Gita Institute & Pedro Nonell
