Śrīmad Bhagavad Gītā · Chapter 4 of 18
Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga — The Yoga of Knowledge, Action, and Renunciation
ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोगः
Krishna traces this teaching back through an ancient lineage of sages, lost over time and now revealed again to Arjuna. He explains his own divine nature: though unborn and imperishable, he takes birth age after age whenever righteousness declines, to protect the good and destroy evil. He then unpacks the deeper nature of action -- how the wise see inaction within action, how right action performed without attachment as a form of sacrifice does not bind, and how many different paths of sacrifice and discipline all lead toward the same knowledge. The chapter closes with knowledge itself named as the greatest purifier, urging Arjuna to cut through doubt and rise to act.
- Verses
- 42
- Speakers
- Krishna, Arjuna
Verse by verse
Krishna
4.1
इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्। विवस्वान् मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत्॥
imaṃ vivasvate yogaṃ proktavānahamavyayam, vivasvān manave prāha manurikṣvākave'bravīt.
हिन्दी अर्थ
श्रीभगवान् बोले - मैंने इस अविनाशी योगको सूर्यसे कहा था। फिर सूर्यने (अपने पुत्र) वैवस्वत मनुसे कहा और मनुने (अपने पुत्र) राजा इक्ष्वाकुसे कहा।
English
Lord Shri Krishna said: This imperishable philosophy I taught to Viwaswana, the founder of the Sun dynasty, Viwaswana gave it to Manu the lawgiver, and Manu to King Ikshwaku!
Krishna says he taught this imperishable yoga to Vivasvan (the sun), who passed it to Manu, who passed it to Ikshvaku.
Krishna
4.2
एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः। स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप॥
evaṃ paramparāprāptamimaṃ rājarṣayo viduḥ, sa kāleneha mahatā yogo naṣṭaḥ parantapa.
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे परंतप ! इस तरह परम्परासे प्राप्त इस कर्मयोग को राजर्षियोंने जाना। परन्तु बहुत समय बीत जानेके कारण वह योग इस मनुष्यलोकमें लुप्तप्राय हो गया।
English
The Divine Kings knew it, for it was their tradition. Then, after a long time, at last it was forgotten.
This teaching passed down through royal sages, but over long ages it was lost to the world.
Krishna
4.3
स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः। भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम्॥
sa evāyaṃ mayā te'dya yogaḥ proktaḥ purātanaḥ, bhakto'si me sakhā ceti rahasyaṃ hyetaduttamam.
हिन्दी अर्थ
तू मेरा भक्त और प्रिय सखा है, इसलिये वही यह पुरातन योग आज मैंने तुझसे कहा है; क्योंकि यह बड़ा उत्तम रहस्य है।
English
It is the same ancient Path that I have now revealed to thee, since thou are My devotee and My friend. It is the supreme Secret.
Krishna reveals this ancient yoga to Arjuna today because Arjuna is his devotee and friend, and it is a supreme secret.
Arjuna
4.4
अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वतः। कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति॥
aparaṃ bhavato janma paraṃ janma vivasvataḥ, kathametadvijānīyāṃ tvamādau proktavāniti.
हिन्दी अर्थ
अर्जुन बोले - आपका जन्म तो अभीका है और सूर्यका जन्म बहुत पुराना है; अतः आपने ही सृष्टिके आदिमें सूर्यसे यह योग कहा था - यह बात मैं कैसे समझूँ?
English
Arjuna asked: My Lord! Viwaswana was born before Thee; how then canst Thou have revealed it to him?
Arjuna asks how Krishna, born later, could have taught this to Vivasvan, who lived long before him.
Krishna
4.5
बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन। तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप॥
bahūni me vyatītāni janmāni tava cārjuna, tānyahaṃ veda sarvāṇi na tvaṃ vettha parantapa.
हिन्दी अर्थ
श्रीभगवान् बोले -- हे परन्तप अर्जुन ! मेरे और तेरे बहुत-से जन्म हो चुके हैं। उन सबको मैं जानता हूँ, पर तू नहीं जानता।
English
Lord Shri Krishna replied: I have been born again and again, from time to time; thou too,O Arjuna! My births are known to Me, but thou knowest not thine.
Krishna says both of them have had many births; Krishna knows them all, but Arjuna does not.
Krishna
4.6
अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन्। प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय संभवाम्यात्ममायया॥
ajo'pi sannavyayātmā bhūtānāmīśvaro'pi san, prakṛtiṃ svāmadhiṣṭhāya saṃbhavāmyātmamāyayā.
हिन्दी अर्थ
मैं अजन्मा और अविनाशी-स्वरूप होते हुए भी तथा सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंका ईश्वर होते हुए भी अपनी प्रकृतिको अधीन करके अपनी योगमायासे प्रकट होता हूँ।
English
have no beginning. Though I am imperishable, as well as Lord of all that exists, yet by My own will and power do I manifest Myself.
Though unborn and imperishable, and Lord of all beings, Krishna manifests himself through his own divine power.
Krishna
4.7
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत। अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदाऽऽत्मानं सृजाम्यहम्॥
yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānirbhavati bhārata, abhyutthānamadharmasya tadā''tmānaṃ sṛjāmyaham.
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे भरतवंशी अर्जुन! जब-जब धर्मकी हानि और अधर्मकी वृद्धि होती है, तब-तब ही मैं अपने-आपको साकाररूपसे प्रकट करता हूँ।
English
Whenever spirituality decays and materialism is rampant, then, O Arjuna, I reincarnate Myself!
Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, Krishna says, he manifests himself.
Krishna
4.8
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्। धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय संभवामि युगे युगे॥
paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṃ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām, dharmasaṃsthāpanārthāya saṃbhavāmi yuge yuge.
हिन्दी अर्थ
साधुओं-(भक्तों-) की रक्षा करनेके लिये, पापकर्म करनेवालोंका विनाश करनेके लिये और धर्मकी भलीभाँति स्थापना करनेके लिये मैं युग-युगमें प्रकट हुआ करता हूँ।
English
To protect the righteous, to destroy the wicked and to establish the kingdom of God, I am reborn from age to age.
Krishna incarnates age after age to protect the good, destroy the wicked, and restore dharma.
Krishna
4.9
जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः। त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन॥
janma karma ca me divyamevaṃ yo vetti tattvataḥ, tyaktvā dehaṃ punarjanma naiti māmeti so'rjuna.
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे अर्जुन ! मेरे जन्म और कर्म दिव्य हैं। इस प्रकार (मेरे जन्म और कर्मको) जो मनुष्य तत्त्वसे जान लेता अर्थात् दृढ़तापूर्वक मान लेता है, वह शरीरका त्याग करके पुनर्जन्मको प्राप्त नहीं होता, प्रत्युत मुझे प्राप्त होता है।
English
He who realises the divine truth concerning My birth and life is not born again; and when he leaves his body, he becomes one with Me.
One who truly understands Krishna's divine birth and action is not reborn, but comes to Krishna upon leaving the body.
Krishna
4.10
वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिताः। बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागताः॥
vītarāgabhayakrodhā manmayā māmupāśritāḥ, bahavo jñānatapasā pūtā madbhāvamāgatāḥ.
हिन्दी अर्थ
राग, भय और क्रोधसे सर्वथा रहित, मेरेमें ही तल्लीन, मेरे ही आश्रित तथा ज्ञानरूप तपसे पवित्र हुए बहुत-से भक्त मेरे भाव- (स्वरूप-) को प्राप्त हो चुके हैं।
English
Many have merged their existences in Mine, being freed from desire, fear and anger, filled always with Me and purified by the illuminating flame of self-abnegation.
Many, freed from attachment, fear, and anger, absorbed in Krishna and purified by wisdom, have attained his being.
Krishna
4.11
ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम्। मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः॥
ye yathā māṃ prapadyante tāṃstathaiva bhajāmyaham, mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ.
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे पृथानन्दन ! जो भक्त जिस प्रकार मेरी शरण लेते हैं, मैं उन्हें उसी प्रकार आश्रय देता हूँ; क्योंकि सभी मनुष्य सब प्रकारसे मेरे मार्गका अनुकरण करते हैं।
English
Howsoever men try to worship Me, so do I welcome them. By whatever path they travel, it leads to Me at last.
Krishna says he responds to all according to how they approach him -- all paths ultimately lead to him.
Krishna
4.12
काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः। क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा॥
kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṃ siddhiṃ yajanta iha devatāḥ, kṣipraṃ hi mānuṣe loke siddhirbhavati karmajā.
हिन्दी अर्थ
कर्मोंकी सिद्धि (फल) चाहनेवाले मनुष्य देवताओंकी उपासना किया करते हैं; क्योंकि इस मनुष्यलोकमें कर्मोंसे उत्पन्न होनेवाली सिद्धि जल्दी मिल जाती है।
English
Those who look for success, worship the Powers; and in this world their actions bear immediate fruit.
Those who desire success in action worship the gods, and results come quickly in this human world.
Krishna
4.13
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः। तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम्॥
cāturvarṇyaṃ mayā sṛṣṭaṃ guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ, tasya kartāramapi māṃ viddhyakartāramavyayam.
हिन्दी अर्थ
मेरे द्वारा गुणों और कर्मोंके विभागपूर्वक चारों वर्णोंकी रचना की गयी है। उस-(सृष्टि-रचना आदि-) का कर्ता होनेपर भी मुझ अव्यय रमेश्वरको तू अकर्ता जान। कारण कि कर्मोंके फलमें मेरी स्पृहा नहीं है, इसलिये मुझे कर्म लिप्त नहीं करते। इस प्रकार जो मुझे तत्त्वसे जान लेता है, वह भी कर्मोंसे नहीं बँधता।
English
The four divisions of society (the wise, the soldier, the merchant, the labourer) were created by Me, according to the natural distribution of Qualities and instincts. I am the author of them, though I Myself do no action, and am changeless.
Krishna created the four social orders based on qualities and actions, though he himself is the changeless non-doer.
Krishna
4.14
न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा। इति मां योऽभिजानाति कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते॥
na māṃ karmāṇi limpanti na me karmaphale spṛhā, iti māṃ yo'bhijānāti karmabhirna sa badhyate.
हिन्दी अर्थ
मेरे द्वारा गुणों और कर्मोंके विभागपूर्वक चारों वर्णोंकी रचना की गयी है। उस-(सृष्टि-रचना आदि-) का कर्ता होनेपर भी मुझ अव्यय परमेश्वरको तू अकर्ता जान। कारण कि कर्मोंके फलमें मेरी स्पृहा नहीं है, इसलिये मुझे कर्म लिप्त नहीं करते। इस प्रकार जो मुझे तत्त्वसे जान लेता है, वह भी कर्मोंसे नहीं बँधता।
English
My actions do not fetter Me, nor do I desire anything that they can bring. He who thus realises Me is not enslaved by action.
Actions do not bind Krishna, nor does he desire their fruits; one who understands this is likewise not bound by action.
Krishna
4.15
एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः। कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम्॥
evaṃ jñātvā kṛtaṃ karma pūrvairapi mumukṣubhiḥ, kuru karmaiva tasmāttvaṃ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataraṃ kṛtam.
हिन्दी अर्थ
पूर्वकालके मुमुक्षुओंने भी इस प्रकार जानकर कर्म किये हैं, इसलिये तू भी पूर्वजोंके द्वारा सदासे किये जानेवाले कर्मोंको ही (उन्हींकी तरह) कर।
English
In the light of wisdom, our ancestors, who sought deliverance, performed their acts. Act thou also, as did our fathers of old.
Knowing this, ancient seekers of liberation performed action -- Krishna urges Arjuna to act as they did.
Krishna
4.16
किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः। तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात्॥
kiṃ karma kimakarmeti kavayo'pyatra mohitāḥ, tatte karma pravakṣyāmi yajjñātvā mokṣyase'śubhāt.
हिन्दी अर्थ
कर्म क्या है और अकर्म क्या है -- इस प्रकार इस विषयमें विद्वान् भी मोहित हो जाते हैं। अतः वह कर्म-तत्त्व मैं तुम्हें भलीभाँति कहूँगा, जिसको जानकर तू अशुभ- (संसार-बन्धन-) से मुक्त हो जायगा।
English
What is action and what is inaction? It is a question which has bewildered the wise. But I will declare unto thee the philosophy of action, and knowing it, thou shalt be free from evil.
Even the wise are confused about what is action and inaction; Krishna promises to explain action so Arjuna may be freed from evil.
Krishna
4.17
कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः। अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः॥
karmaṇo hyapi boddhavyaṃ boddhavyaṃ ca vikarmaṇaḥ, akarmaṇaśca boddhavyaṃ gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ.
हिन्दी अर्थ
कर्मका तत्त्व भी जानना चाहिये और अकर्मका तत्त्व भी जानना चाहिये तथा विकर्मका तत्त्व भी जानना चाहिये; क्योंकि कर्मकी गति गहन है।
English
It is necessary to consider what is right action, what is wrong action, and what is inaction, for mysterious is the law of action.
One must understand true action, wrong action, and inaction -- the way of action is subtle and hard to grasp.
Krishna
4.18
कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः। स बुद्धिमान् मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत्॥
karmaṇyakarma yaḥ paśyedakarmaṇi ca karma yaḥ, sa buddhimān manuṣyeṣu sa yuktaḥ kṛtsnakarmakṛt.
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो मनुष्य कर्ममें अकर्म देखता है और जो अकर्ममें कर्म देखता है, वह मनुष्योंमें बुद्धिमान् है, योगी है और सम्पूर्ण कर्मोंको करनेवाला है।
English
He who can see inaction in action, and action in inaction, is the wisest among men. He is a saint, even though he still acts.
One who sees inaction within action and action within inaction is wise among all, accomplished though still engaged in work.
Krishna
4.19
यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिताः। ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहुः पण्डितं बुधाः॥
yasya sarve samārambhāḥ kāmasaṅkalpavarjitāḥ, jñānāgnidagdhakarmāṇaṃ tamāhuḥ paṇḍitaṃ budhāḥ.
हिन्दी अर्थ
जिसके सम्पूर्ण कर्मोंके आरम्भ संकल्प और कामनासे रहित हैं तथा जिसके सम्पूर्ण कर्म ज्ञानरूपी अग्निसे जल गये हैं, उसको ज्ञानिजन भी पण्डित (बुद्धिमान्) कहते हैं।
English
The wise call him a sage, for whatever he undertakes is free from the motive of desire, and his deeds are purified by the fire of Wisdom.
One whose efforts are free of selfish desire, whose actions are burned clean by wisdom, is called a sage by the wise.
Krishna
4.20
त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः। कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः॥
tyaktvā karmaphalāsaṅgaṃ nityatṛpto nirāśrayaḥ, karmaṇyabhipravṛtto'pi naiva kiñcitkaroti saḥ.
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो कर्म और फलकी आसक्तिका त्याग करके आश्रयसे रहित और सदा तृप्त है, वह कर्मोंमें अच्छी तरह लगा हुआ भी वास्तवमें कुछ भी नहीं करता।
English
Having surrendered all claim to the results of his actions, always contented and independent, in reality he does nothing, even though he is apparently acting.
Abandoning attachment to results, ever content and independent, such a person does nothing at all even while acting.
Krishna
4.21
निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः। शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम्॥
nirāśīryatacittātmā tyaktasarvaparigrahaḥ, śārīraṃ kevalaṃ karma kurvannāpnoti kilbiṣam.
हिन्दी अर्थ
जिसका शरीर और अन्तःकरण अच्छी तरहसे वशमें किया हुआ है, जिसने सब प्रकारके संग्रहका परित्याग कर दिया है, ऐसा आशारहित कर्मयोगी केवल शरीर-सम्बन्धी कर्म करता हुआ भी पापको प्राप्त नहीं होता।
English
Expecting nothing, his mind and personality controlled, without greed, doing bodily actions only; though he acts, yet he remains untainted.
Free of expectation, with mind and body restrained, giving up possessions, acting only with the body, one incurs no sin.
Krishna
4.22
यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टो द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सरः। समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापि न निबध्यते॥
yadṛcchālābhasantuṣṭo dvandvātīto vimatsaraḥ, samaḥ siddhāvasiddhau ca kṛtvāpi na nibadhyate.
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो (कर्मयोगी) फल की इच्छा के बिना, अपने-आप जो कुछ मिल जाय, उसमें सन्तुष्ट रहता है और जो ईर्ष्यासे रहित, द्वन्द्वोंसे अतीत तथा सिद्धि और असिद्धिमें सम है, वह कर्म करते हुए भी उससे नहीं बँधता।
English
Content with what comes to him without effort of his own, mounting above the pairs of opposites, free from envy, his mind balanced both in success and failure; though he acts, yet the consequences do not bind him.
Content with what comes naturally, beyond dualities, free from envy, equal in success and failure, such action does not bind.
Krishna
4.23
गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः। यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते॥
gatasaṅgasya muktasya jñānāvasthitacetasaḥ, yajñāyācarataḥ karma samagraṃ pravilīyate.
हिन्दी अर्थ
जिसकी आसक्ति सर्वथा मिट गयी है, जो मुक्त हो गया है, जिसकी बुद्धि स्वरूपके ज्ञानमें स्थित है, ऐसे केवल यज्ञके लिये कर्म करनेवाले मनुष्यके सम्पूर्ण कर्म विलीन हो जाते हैं।
English
He who is without attachment, free, his mind centered in wisdom, his actions, being done as a sacrifice, leave no trace behind.
For one who is unattached, free, mind fixed in knowledge, acting only as sacrifice, all action dissolves entirely.
Krishna
4.24
ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्महविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्। ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना॥
brahmārpaṇaṃ brahmahavirbrahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam, brahmaiva tena gantavyaṃ brahmakarmasamādhinā.
हिन्दी अर्थ
जिस यज्ञमें अर्पण भी ब्रह्म है, हवी भी ब्रह्म है और ब्रह्मरूप कर्ताके द्वारा ब्रह्मरूप अग्निमें आहुति देनारूप क्रिया भी ब्रह्म है, (ऐसे यज्ञको करनेवाले) जिस मनुष्यकी ब्रह्ममें ही कर्म-समाधि हो गयी है, उसके द्वारा प्राप्त करनेयोग्य फल भी ब्रह्म ही है।
English
For him, the sacrifice itself is the Spirit; the Spirit and the oblation are one; it is the Spirit Itself which is sacrificed in Its own fire, and the man even in action is united with God, since while performing his act, his mind never ceases to be fixed on Him.
The act of offering is Brahman, the oblation is Brahman, offered by Brahman into Brahman's fire -- Brahman alone is reached by one absorbed in such action.
Krishna
4.25
दैवमेवापरे यज्ञं योगिनः पर्युपासते। ब्रह्माग्नावपरे यज्ञं यज्ञेनैवोपजुह्वति॥
daivamevāpare yajñaṃ yoginaḥ paryupāsate, brahmāgnāvapare yajñaṃ yajñenaivopajuhvati.
हिन्दी अर्थ
अन्य योगीलोग भगवदर्पणरूप यज्ञका ही अनुष्ठान करते हैं और दूसरे योगीलोग ब्रह्मरूप अग्निमें विचाररूप यज्ञके द्वारा ही जीवात्मारूप यज्ञका हवन करते हैं।
English
Some sages sacrifice to the Powers; others offer themselves on the alter of the Eternal.
Some yogis offer sacrifice to the gods; others offer the very self as sacrifice into the fire of Brahman.
Krishna
4.26
श्रोत्रादीनीन्द्रियाण्यन्ये संयमाग्निषु जुह्वति। शब्दादीन्विषयानन्य इन्द्रियाग्निषु जुह्वति॥
śrotrādīnīndriyāṇyanye saṃyamāgniṣu juhvati, śabdādīnviṣayānanya indriyāgniṣu juhvati.
हिन्दी अर्थ
अन्य योगीलोग श्रोत्रादि समस्त इन्द्रियोंका संयमरूप अग्नियोंमें हवन किया करते हैं और दूसरे योगीलोग शब्दादि विषयोंका इन्द्रियरूप अग्नियोंमें हवन किया करते हैं।
English
Some sacrifice their physical senses in the fire of self-control; others offer up their contact with external objects in the sacrificial fire of their senses.
Some offer their senses into the fire of restraint; others offer sound and other sense-objects into the fire of the senses.
Krishna
4.27
सर्वाणीन्द्रियकर्माणि प्राणकर्माणि चापरे। आत्मसंयमयोगाग्नौ जुह्वति ज्ञानदीपिते॥
sarvāṇīndriyakarmāṇi prāṇakarmāṇi cāpare, ātmasaṃyamayogāgnau juhvati jñānadīpite.
हिन्दी अर्थ
अन्य योगीलोग सम्पूर्ण इन्द्रियोंकी क्रियाओंको और प्राणोंकी क्रियाओंको ज्ञानसे प्रकाशित आत्मसंयमयोगरूप अग्निमें हवन किया करते हैं।
English
Other again sacrifice their activities and their vitality in the Spiritual fire of self-abnegation, kindled by wisdom.
Others offer all the workings of the senses and the life-breath into the fire of self-control, kindled by knowledge.
Krishna
4.28
द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे। स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः॥
dravyayajñāstapoyajñā yogayajñāstathāpare, svādhyāyajñānayajñāśca yatayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ.
हिन्दी अर्थ
दूसरे कितने ही तीक्ष्ण व्रत करनेवाले प्रयत्नशील साधक द्रव्य-सम्बन्धी यज्ञ करनेवाले हैं, और कितने ही तपोयज्ञ करनेवाले हैं, और दूसरे कितने ही योगयज्ञ करनेवाले हैं, तथा कितने ही स्वाध्यायरूप ज्ञानयज्ञ करनेवाले हैं।
English
And yet others offer as their sacrifice wealth, austerities and meditation. Monks wedded to their vows renounce their scriptural learning and even their spiritual powers.
Some offer wealth, austerity, or yogic practice as sacrifice; disciplined seekers offer their own study and knowledge.
Krishna
4.29
अपाने जुह्वति प्राण प्राणेऽपानं तथाऽपरे। प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणाः॥
apāne juhvati prāṇa prāṇe'pānaṃ tathā'pare, prāṇāpānagatī ruddhvā prāṇāyāmaparāyaṇāḥ.
हिन्दी अर्थ
दूसरे कितने ही प्राणायामके परायण हुए योगीलोग अपानमें प्राणका पूरक करके, प्राण और अपानकी गति रोककर फिर प्राणमें अपानका हवन करते हैं; तथा अन्य कितने ही नियमित आहार करनेवाले प्राणोंका प्राणोंमें हवन किया करते हैं। ये सभी साधक यज्ञोंद्वारा पापोंका नाश करनेवाले और यज्ञोंको जाननेवाले हैं।
English
There are some who practise control of the Vital Energy and govern the subtle forces of Prana and Apana, thereby sacrificing their Prana unto Apana, or their Apana unto Prana.
Others practice control of the life-breath, offering the outgoing breath into the incoming and the incoming into the outgoing.
Krishna
4.30
अपरे नियताहाराः प्राणान्प्राणेषु जुह्वति। सर्वेऽप्येते यज्ञविदो यज्ञक्षपितकल्मषाः॥
apare niyatāhārāḥ prāṇānprāṇeṣu juhvati, sarve'pyete yajñavido yajñakṣapitakalmaṣāḥ.
हिन्दी अर्थ
दूसरे कितने ही प्राणायामके परायण हुए योगीलोग अपानमें प्राणका पूरक करके, प्राण और अपानकी गति रोककर फिर प्राणमें अपानका हवन करते हैं; तथा अन्य कितने ही नियमित आहार करनेवाले प्राणोंका प्राणोंमें हवन किया करते हैं। ये सभी साधक यज्ञोंद्वारा पापोंका नाश करनेवाले और यज्ञोंको जाननेवाले हैं।
English
Others, controlling their diet, sacrifice their worldly life to the spiritual fire. All understand the principal of sacrifice, and by its means their sins are washed away.
Others, regulating their food, offer their very life-breaths into life-breaths -- all these are knowers of sacrifice, and sacrifice cleanses their sins.
Krishna
4.31
यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम्। नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतो़ऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम॥
yajñaśiṣṭāmṛtabhujo yānti brahma sanātanam, nāyaṃ loko'styayajñasya kuto़'nyaḥ kurusattama.
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे कुरुवंशियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुन ! यज्ञसे बचे हुए अमृतका अनुभव करनेवाले सनातन परब्रह्म परमात्माको प्राप्त होते हैं। यज्ञ न करनेवाले मनुष्यके लिये यह मनुष्यलोक भी सुखदायक नहीं है, फिर परलोक कैसे सुखदायक होगा?
English
Tasting the nectar of immortality, as the reward of sacrifice, they reach the Eternal. This world is not for those who refuse to sacrifice; much less the other world.
Those who partake of the nectar left from sacrifice attain the eternal Brahman; even this world is not for the one who does not sacrifice, much less the next.
Krishna
4.32
एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे। कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे॥
evaṃ bahuvidhā yajñā vitatā brahmaṇo mukhe, karmajānviddhi tānsarvānevaṃ jñātvā vimokṣyase.
हिन्दी अर्थ
इस प्रकार और भी बहुत तरहके यज्ञ वेदकी वाणीमें विस्तारसे कहे गये हैं। उन सब यज्ञोंको तू कर्मजन्य जान। इस प्रकार जानकर यज्ञ करनेसे तू (कर्मबन्धनसे) मुक्त हो जायगा।
English
In this way other sacrifices too may be undergone for the Spirit's sake. Know thou that they all depend on action. Knowing this, thou shalt be free.
Many such forms of sacrifice are spread before Brahman; know that all of them arise from action, and knowing this, you shall be freed.
Krishna
4.33
श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप। सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते॥
śreyāndravyamayādyajñājjñānayajñaḥ parantapa, sarvaṃ karmākhilaṃ pārtha jñāne parisamāpyate.
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे परन्तप अर्जुन ! द्रव्यमय यज्ञसे ज्ञानयज्ञ श्रेष्ठ है। सम्पूर्ण कर्म और पदार्थ ज्ञान-(तत्त्वज्ञान-) में समाप्त हो जाते हैं।
English
The sacrifice of wisdom is superior to any material sacrifice, for, O Arjuna, the climax of action is always Realisation.
The sacrifice of knowledge is greater than any sacrifice of material things, since all action culminates in knowledge.
Krishna
4.34
तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया। उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः॥
tadviddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā, upadekṣyanti te jñānaṃ jñāninastattvadarśinaḥ.
हिन्दी अर्थ
उस- (तत्त्वज्ञान-) को (तत्त्वदर्शी ज्ञानी महापुरुषोंके पास जाकर) समझ। उनको साष्टाङ्ग दण्डवत् प्रणाम करनेसे, उनकी सेवा करनेसे और सरलतापूर्वक प्रश्न करनेसे वे तत्त्वदर्शी ज्ञानी महापुरुष तुझे उस तत्त्वज्ञानका उपदेश देंगे।
English
This shalt thou learn by prostrating thyself at the Master's feet, by questioning Him and by serving Him. The wise who have realised the Truth will teach thee wisdom.
Learn this by approaching a wise teacher with humility, inquiry, and service; those who have seen the truth will instruct you.
Krishna
4.35
यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव। येन भूतान्यशेषेण द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मन्यथो मयि॥
yajjñātvā na punarmohamevaṃ yāsyasi pāṇḍava, yena bhūtānyaśeṣeṇa drakṣyasyātmanyatho mayi.
हिन्दी अर्थ
जिस- (तत्त्वज्ञान-) का अनुभव करनेके बाद तू फिर इस प्रकार मोहको नहीं प्राप्त होगा, और हे अर्जुन ! जिस- (तत्त्वज्ञान-) से तू सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंको निःशेषभावसे पहले अपनेमें और उसके बाद मुझ सच्चिदानन्दघन परमात्मामें देखेगा।
English
Having known That, thou shalt never again be confounded; and, O Arjuna, by the power of that wisdom, thou shalt see all these people as if they were thine own Self, and therefore as Me.
Having gained this knowledge, Arjuna will not fall into delusion again, and will see all beings within himself and within Krishna.
Krishna
4.36
अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः। सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि॥
api cedasi pāpebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ pāpakṛttamaḥ, sarvaṃ jñānaplavenaiva vṛjinaṃ santariṣyasi.
हिन्दी अर्थ
अगर तू सब पापियोंसे भी अधिक पापी है, तो भी तू ज्ञानरूपी नौकाके द्वारा निःसन्देह सम्पूर्ण पापसमुद्रसे अच्छी तरह तर जायगा।
English
Be thou the greatest of sinners, yet thou shalt cross over all sin by the ferryboat of wisdom.
Even if Arjuna were the greatest sinner among all sinners, he would cross over all wrongdoing by the raft of knowledge alone.
Krishna
4.37
यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन। ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा॥
yathaidhāṃsi samiddho'gnirbhasmasātkurute'rjuna, jñānāgniḥ sarvakarmāṇi bhasmasātkurute tathā.
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे अर्जुन ! जैसे प्रज्वलित अग्नि ईंधनोंको सर्वथा भस्म कर देती है, ऐसे ही ज्ञानरूपी अग्नि सम्पूर्ण कर्मोंको सर्वथा भस्म कर देती है।
English
As the kindled fire consumes the fuel, so, O Arjuna, in the flame of wisdom the embers of action are burnt to ashes.
As a blazing fire reduces wood to ashes, the fire of knowledge reduces all actions to ashes.
Krishna
4.38
न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते। तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति॥
na hi jñānena sadṛśaṃ pavitramiha vidyate, tatsvayaṃ yogasaṃsiddhaḥ kālenātmani vindati.
हिन्दी अर्थ
इस मनुष्यलोकमें ज्ञानके समान पवित्र करनेवाला निःसन्देह दूसरा कोई साधन नहीं है। जिसका योग भली-भाँति सिद्ध हो गया है, वह (कर्मयोगी) उस तत्त्वज्ञानको अवश्य ही स्वयं अपने-आपमें पा लेता है।
English
There is nothing in the world so purifying as wisdom; and he who is a perfect saint finds that at last in his own Self.
Nothing in this world purifies like knowledge; one who is perfected through yoga finds it within the self in time.
Krishna
4.39
श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः। ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति॥
śraddhāvā~llabhate jñānaṃ tatparaḥ saṃyatendriyaḥ, jñānaṃ labdhvā parāṃ śāntimacireṇādhigacchati.
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो जितेन्द्रिय तथा साधन-परायण है, ऐसा श्रद्धावान् मनुष्य ज्ञानको प्राप्त होता है और ज्ञानको प्राप्त होकर वह तत्काल परम शान्तिको प्राप्त हो जाता है।
English
He who is full of faith attains wisdom, and he too who can control his senses, having attained that wisdom, he shall ere long attain Supreme Peace.
One who has faith, who is devoted and has mastered the senses, attains knowledge, and thereafter swiftly attains supreme peace.
Krishna
4.40
अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति। नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः॥
ajñaścāśraddadhānaśca saṃśayātmā vinaśyati, nāyaṃ loko'sti na paro na sukhaṃ saṃśayātmanaḥ.
हिन्दी अर्थ
विवेकहीन और श्रद्धारहित संशयात्मा मनुष्यका पतन हो जाता है। ऐसे संशयात्मा मनुष्यके लिये न यह लोक है न परलोक है और न सुख ही है।
English
But the ignorant man, and he who has no faith, and the sceptic are lost. Neither in this world nor elsewhere is there any happiness in store for him who always doubts.
The ignorant, the faithless, and the doubting soul are lost; for the doubter, there is no happiness in this world or beyond.
Krishna
4.41
योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसंछिन्नसंशयम्। आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय॥
yogasaṃnyastakarmāṇaṃ jñānasaṃchinnasaṃśayam, ātmavantaṃ na karmāṇi nibadhnanti dhanañjaya.
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे धनञ्जय ! योग- (समता-) के द्वारा जिसका सम्पूर्ण कर्मोंसे सम्बन्ध-विच्छेद हो गया है और ज्ञानके द्वारा जिसके सम्पूर्ण संशयोंका नाश हो गया है, ऐसे स्वरूप-परायण मनुष्यको कर्म नहीं बाँधते।
English
But the man who has renounced his action for meditation, who has cleft his doubt in twain by the sword of wisdom, who remains always enthroned in his Self, is not bound by his acts.
Action does not bind one who has renounced action through yoga, whose doubts are cut away by knowledge, and who is established in the Self.
Krishna
4.42
तस्मादज्ञानसंभूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनाऽऽत्मनः। छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत॥
tasmādajñānasaṃbhūtaṃ hṛtsthaṃ jñānāsinā''tmanaḥ, chittvainaṃ saṃśayaṃ yogamātiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhārata.
हिन्दी अर्थ
इसलिये हे भरतवंशी अर्जुन ! हृदयमें स्थित इस अज्ञानसे उत्पन्न अपने संशयका ज्ञानरूप तलवारसे छेदन करके योग -(समता-) में स्थित हो जा, (और युद्धके लिये) खड़ा हो जा।
English
Therefore, cleaving asunder with the sword of wisdom the doubts of the heart, which thine own ignorance has engendered, follow the Path of Wisdom and arise!
Krishna urges Arjuna to cut through the doubt born of ignorance in his heart with the sword of knowledge, take up yoga, and arise.