Absolute spiritual knowledge

The blessed Lord said:

I gave this imperishable science, the science of yoga (yoga: the practice of union and communion with God), to Vivasvan, the celestial being of the sun, and Vivasvan taught it to Manu, the father of humanity. And Manu taught it to Iksvaku.

Supreme Knowledge, transmitted from master to disciple, is how the holy kings received and realised it. But in the course of time the disciplic succession has broken down, and this science, in its state of purity, now seems to be lost.

If I am teaching you today this very ancient science, the art of communing with the Absolute, it is because you are My friend and My devotee, and thus you can penetrate its sublime mystery.

Arjuna said: Vivasvan, the deva of the sun, appeared long before You, how can you understand that You could have originally given him this science?

The blessed Lord said:

Though both of us have passed through innumerable existences, I remember all of them, while you have forgotten them.

I remain unborn, and My body, spiritual and absolute, never deteriorates; I am the Lord of all beings. And yet, in My original Form, I descend into this universe at regular intervals.

Whenever in any part of the universe spirituality declines, and irreligion rises, I descend in Person.

I appear from age to age to deliver My devotees, to annihilate the miscreants, to restore the principles of spirituality.