अध्याय ४: ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोग

श्लोक 1

श्रीभगवानुवाच

इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्।

विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत्॥

Shribhagavanuvacha

Imam Vivasvate Yogam Proktavanahamavyayam |

Vivasvanmanave Praha Manurikshvakave'bravit ||

Krishna says he taught this enduring yoga to Vivasvan, who taught Manu, who in turn told Ikshvaku.

श्लोक 2

एवं परंपराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः।
स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परंतप॥

Evam Paramparapraptamimam Rajarshayo Viduh |
Sa Kaleneha Mahata Yogo Nashtah Parantapa ||

Krishna says royal sages knew this yoga through a line of transmission, but over a long time it was lost here.

श्लोक 3

स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः।
भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम्॥

Sa Evayam Maya Te'dya Yogah Proktah Puratanah |
Bhakto'si Me Sakha Cheti Rahasyam Hyetaduttamam ||

He says he has now taught that ancient yoga to Arjuna because Arjuna is his devotee and friend, calling it a highest secret.

श्लोक 4

अर्जुन उवाच

अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वतः।

कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति॥

Arjuna Uvacha

Aparam Bhavato Janma Param Janma Vivasvatah |

Kathametadvijaniyam Tvamadau Proktavaniti ||

Arjuna asks how Krishna could have taught Vivasvan at the beginning, since Vivasvan's birth was earlier than Krishna's.

श्लोक 5

श्रीभगवानुवाच

बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन।

तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परंतप॥

Shribhagavanuvacha

Bahuni Me Vyatitani Janmani Tava Charjuna |

Tanyaham Veda Sarvani Na Tvam Vettha Parantapa ||

Krishna replies that both he and Arjuna have passed through many births; he remembers them all, but Arjuna does not.

श्लोक 6

अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन्।
प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय संभवाम्यात्ममायया॥

Ajo'pi Sannavyayatma Bhutanamishvaro'pi San |
Prakritim Svamadhishthaya Sambhavamyatmamayaya ||

Krishna says that although he is unborn, imperishable and lord of beings, he manifests by his own māyā while presiding over his own nature.

श्लोक 7

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्॥

Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya Glanirbhavati Bharata |
Abhyutthanamadharmasya Tadatmanam Srijamyaham ||

Whenever dharma declines and its opposite rises, Krishna says, he manifests himself, O Bharata.

श्लोक 8

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्।
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय संभवामि युगे युगे॥

Paritranaya Sadhunam Vinashaya Cha Dushkritam |
Dharmasamsthapanarthaya Sambhavami Yuge Yuge ||

Krishna says he comes age after age to protect the good, destroy wrongdoers, and re-establish dharma.

श्लोक 9

जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः।
त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन॥

Janma Karma Cha Me Divyamevam Yo Vetti Tattvatah |
Tyaktva Deham Punarjanma Naiti Mameti So'rjuna ||

Krishna says that one who truly knows his divine birth and action does not take birth again after leaving the body, but comes to him.

श्लोक 10

वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिताः।
बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागताः॥

Vitaragabhayakrodha Manmaya Mamupashritah |
Bahavo Jnanatapasa Puta Madbhavamagatah ||

Krishna says many who were free of attachment, fear and anger, absorbed in him and relying on him, were purified through the discipline of knowledge and reached his state.

श्लोक 11

ये यथा मां प्रपद्यंते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम्।
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तंते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः॥

Ye Yatha Mam Prapadyante Tamstathaiva Bhajamyaham |
Mama Vartmanuvartante Manushyah Partha Sarvashah ||

Krishna says he responds to people in the way they turn to him; people follow his path in all kinds of ways, O Partha.

श्लोक 12

कांक्षंतः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजंत इह देवताः।
क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा॥

Kankshantah Karmanam Siddhim Yajanta Iha Devatah |
Kshipram Hi Manushe Loke Siddhirbhavati Karmaja ||

Krishna says people seeking success in their actions worship deities here, for success arising from action comes quickly in the human world.

श्लोक 13

चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः।
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम्॥

Chaturvarnyam Maya Srishtam Gunakarmavibhagashah |
Tasya Kartaramapi Mam Viddhyakartaramavyayam ||

Krishna says the four-varṇa order was created by him according to a division of qualities and actions; although its maker, he asks Arjuna to know him as imperishable and not acting.

श्लोक 14

न मां कर्माणि लिंपंति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा।
इति मां योऽभिजानाति कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते॥

Na Mam Karmani Limpanti Na Me Karmaphale Spriha |
Iti Mam Yo'bhijanati Karmabhirna Sa Badhyate ||

Krishna says actions do not stain him and he has no desire for their fruits; one who knows him in this way is not bound by actions.

श्लोक 15

एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः।
कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम्॥

Evam Jnatva Kritam Karma Purvairapi Mumukshubhih |
Kuru Karmaiva Tasmattvam Purvaih Purvataram Kritam ||

Krishna says earlier seekers of liberation acted with this understanding and urges Arjuna to act as those predecessors did.

श्लोक 16

किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः।
तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात्॥

Kim Karma Kimakarmeti Kavayo'pyatra Mohitah |
Tatte Karma Pravakshyami Yajjnatva Mokshyase'shubhat ||

Krishna says even discerning people are puzzled over what action and inaction are; he will explain action to Arjuna so that, by knowing it, Arjuna may be released from what is harmful.

श्लोक 17

कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः।
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः॥

Karmano Hyapi Boddhavyam Boddhavyam Cha Vikarmanah |
Akarmanashcha Boddhavyam Gahana Karmano Gatih ||

Krishna says action, wrong action and inaction each need to be understood, for the course of action is difficult to grasp.

श्लोक 18

कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः।
स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत्॥

Karmanyakarma Yah Pashyedakarmani Cha Karma Yah |
Sa Buddhimanmanushyeshu Sa Yuktah Kritsnakarmakrit ||

Krishna calls wise and disciplined the person who sees inaction within action and action within inaction, even while carrying out the whole of action.

श्लोक 19

यस्य सर्वे समारंभाः कामसंकल्पवर्जिताः।
ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहुः पंडितं बुधाः॥

Yasya Sarve Samarambhah Kamasankalpavarjitah |
Jnanagnidagdhakarmanam Tamahuh Panditam Budhah ||

The discerning call someone wise whose undertakings are free of desire-driven plans and whose actions are consumed in the fire of knowledge.

श्लोक 20

त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासंगं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः।
कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किंचित्करोति सः॥

Tyaktva Karmaphalasangam Nityatripto Nirashrayah |
Karmanyabhipravritto'pi Naiva Kinchitkaroti Sah ||

Having given up attachment to the fruits of action, content and without dependence, such a person is said to do nothing even while fully engaged in action.

श्लोक 21

निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः।
शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम्॥

Nirashiryatachittatma Tyaktasarvaparigrahah |
Shariram Kevalam Karma Kurvannapnoti Kilbisham ||

Krishna describes a person free from expectation, with mind and self restrained and possessions relinquished, and says that person incurs no fault while doing bodily action alone.

श्लोक 22

यदृच्छालाभसंतुष्टो द्वंद्वातीतो विमत्सरः।
समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापि न निबध्यते॥

Yadrichchhalabhasantushto Dvandvatito Vimatsarah |
Samah Siddhavasiddhau Cha Kritvapi Na Nibadhyate ||

Content with what comes without seeking it, beyond opposing conditions and without envy, such a person is even-minded in success and failure and, Krishna says, is not bound despite acting.

श्लोक 23

गतसंगस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः।
यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते॥

Gatasangasya Muktasya Jnanavasthitachetasah |
Yajnayacharatah Karma Samagram Praviliyate ||

Krishna says the action of one freed from attachment, with thought grounded in knowledge and acting for sacrifice, wholly dissolves.

श्लोक 24

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्।
ब्रह्मैव तेन गंतव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना॥

Brahmarpanam Brahma Havirbrahmagnau Brahmana Hutam |
Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam Brahmakarmasamadhina ||

The offering, what is offered, the fire and the offerer are all spoken of as Brahman; one absorbed in action as Brahman is said to reach Brahman.

श्लोक 25

दैवमेवापरे यज्ञं योगिनः पर्युपासते।
ब्रह्माग्नावपरे यज्ञं यज्ञेनैवोपजुह्वति॥

Daivamevapare Yajnam Yoginah Paryupasate |
Brahmagnavapare Yajnam Yajnenaivopajuhvati ||

Some practitioners devote themselves to a sacrifice for deities; others, the verse says, offer sacrifice itself by sacrifice into the fire of Brahman.

श्लोक 26

श्रोत्रादीनीन्द्रियाण्यन्ये संयमाग्निषु जुह्वति।
शब्दादीन्विषयानन्य इन्द्रियाग्निषु जुह्वति॥

Shrotradinindriyanyanye Samyamagnishu Juhvati |
Shabdadinvishayananya Indriyagnishu Juhvati ||

Some figuratively offer hearing and the other senses into fires of restraint; others offer sound and other sense objects into the fires of the senses.

श्लोक 27

सर्वाणीन्द्रियकर्माणि प्राणकर्माणि चापरे।
आत्मसंयमयोगाग्नौ जुह्वति ज्ञानदीपिते॥

Sarvanindriyakarmani Pranakarmani Chapare |
Atmasamyamayogagnau Juhvati Jnanadipite ||

Others describe offering the activities of the senses and life-breath into the knowledge-lit fire of the discipline of self-restraint.

श्लोक 28

द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे।
स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः॥

Dravyayajnastapoyajna Yogayajnastathapare |
Svadhyayajnanayajnashcha Yatayah Samshitavratah ||

Krishna lists people who treat material gifts, austerity, yoga, study and knowledge as forms of sacrifice, describing them as disciplined in their vows.

श्लोक 29

अपाने जुह्वति प्राणं प्राणेऽपानं तथापरे।
प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणाः॥

Apane Juhvati Pranam Prane'panam Tathapare |
Pranapanagati Ruddhva Pranayamaparayanah ||

Others are described as offering prāṇa into apāna and apāna into prāṇa, checking their movements while devoted to breath discipline.

श्लोक 30

अपरे नियताहाराः प्राणान्प्राणेषु जुह्वति।
सर्वेऽप्येते यज्ञविदो यज्ञक्षपितकल्मषाः॥

Apare Niyataharah Prananpraneshu Juhvati |
Sarve'pyete Yajnavido Yajnakshapitakalmashah ||

Others, described as regulated in food, offer life-breaths into life-breaths; Krishna groups these practitioners as knowing sacrifice and says their faults are worn away through it.

श्लोक 31

यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यांति ब्रह्म सनातनम्।
नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतोऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम॥

Yajnashishtamritabhujo Yanti Brahma Sanatanam |
Nayam Loko'styayajnasya Kuto'nyah Kurusattama ||

Krishna says those who partake of the nectar-like remainder of sacrifice reach eternal Brahman; he says one without sacrifice has not even this world, much less another.

श्लोक 32

एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे।
कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे॥

Evam Bahuvidha Yajna Vitata Brahmano Mukhe |
Karmajanviddhi Tansarvanevam Jnatva Vimokshyase ||

Krishna says many kinds of sacrifice are set out in the mouth of Brahman and arise from action; understanding them, he tells Arjuna, leads to release.

श्लोक 33

श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परंतप।
सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते॥

Shreyandravyamayadyajnajjnanayajnah Parantapa |
Sarvam Karmakhilam Partha Jnane Parisamapyate ||

Krishna says a sacrifice of knowledge is better than one made of material things, for all action in its entirety comes to completion in knowledge.

श्लोक 34

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया।
उपदेक्ष्यंति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः॥

Tadviddhi Pranipatena Pariprashnena Sevaya |
Upadekshyanti Te Jnanam Jnaninastattvadarshinah ||

Krishna tells Arjuna to learn through respectful approach, thorough questioning and service; those who see the truth will teach him knowledge.

श्लोक 35

यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पांडव।
येन भूतान्यशेषेण द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मन्यथो मयि॥

Yajjnatva Na Punarmohamevam Yasyasi Pandava |
Yena Bhutanyasheshena Drakshyasyatmanyatho Mayi ||

Krishna says this knowledge will keep Arjuna from returning to such confusion and let him see all beings, without remainder, in the self and then in Krishna.

श्लोक 36

अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः।
सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं संतरिष्यसि॥

Api Chedasi Papebhyah Sarvebhyah Papakrittamah |
Sarvam Jnanaplavenaiva Vrijinam Santarishyasi ||

Krishna says that even if Arjuna were the gravest wrongdoer, he would cross over wrongdoing by the boat of knowledge.

श्लोक 37

यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन।
ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा॥

Yathaidhamsi Samiddho'gnirbhasmasatkurute'rjuna |
Jnanagnih Sarvakarmani Bhasmasatkurute Tatha ||

As a kindled fire reduces fuel to ash, Krishna says the fire of knowledge likewise reduces actions to ash.

श्लोक 38

नहि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते।
तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विंदति॥

Nahi Jnanena Sadrisham Pavitramiha Vidyate |
Tatsvayam Yogasamsiddhah Kalenatmani Vindati ||

Krishna says nothing here purifies like knowledge; one matured in yoga comes to find it in the self in time.

श्लोक 39

श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेंद्रियः।
ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शांतिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति॥

Shraddhavan Labhate Jnanam Tatparah Samyatendriyah |
Jnanam Labdhva Param Shantimachirenadhigachchhati ||

Krishna says a person of faith who is intent and governs the senses gains knowledge, and after gaining it soon reaches the highest peace.

श्लोक 40

अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति।
नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः॥

Ajnashchashraddadhanashcha Samshayatma Vinashyati |
Nayam Loko'sti Na Paro Na Sukham Samshayatmanah ||

Krishna warns that a person lacking knowledge and faith and given to doubt comes to ruin; he says neither this world nor another nor happiness is theirs.

श्लोक 41

योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसंछिन्नसंशयम्।
आत्मवंतं न कर्माणि निबध्नंति धनंजय॥

Yogasamnyastakarmanam Jnanasanchhinnasamshayam |
Atmavantam Na Karmani Nibadhnanti Dhananjaya ||

Actions do not bind the self-possessed person whose action has been renounced through yoga and whose doubt has been cut through knowledge, Krishna says to Dhananjaya.

श्लोक 42

तस्मादज्ञानसंभूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनाऽऽत्मनः।
छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत॥

Tasmadajnanasambhutam Hritstham Jnanasina''tmanah |
Chhittvainam Samshayam Yogamatishthottishtha Bharata ||

Krishna urges Arjuna to cut through the doubt in his heart, born of ignorance, with the sword of knowledge, take up yoga and rise.