Chapter 4 · Path of Knowledge and the Disciplines of Action

4.1

श्रीभगवानुवाच | इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम् | विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् ||४-१||

śrībhagavānuvāca . imaṃ vivasvate yogaṃ proktavānahamavyayam . vivasvānmanave prāha manurikṣvākave.abravīt ||4-1||

Krishna said, I originally taught this timeless yoga to Vivasvan, who then passed it on to Manu, and Manu shared it with Ikshvaku, preserving its wisdom for generations to come.

4.2

एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः | स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप ||४-२||

evaṃ paramparāprāptamimaṃ rājarṣayo viduḥ . sa kāleneha mahatā yogo naṣṭaḥ parantapa ||4-2||

This wisdom was passed down through generations, and the royal sages were well aware of it, but over a long period of time, it was lost, O Partha.

4.3

स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः | भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ||४-३||

sa evāyaṃ mayā te.adya yogaḥ proktaḥ purātanaḥ . bhakto.asi me sakhā ceti rahasyaṃ hyetaduttamam ||4-3||

I'm sharing this timeless yoga with you now because you're devoted to me and a close friend, and this is a deeply personal and sacred truth.

4.4

अर्जुन उवाच | अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वतः | कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति ||४-४||

arjuna uvāca . aparaṃ bhavato janma paraṃ janma vivasvataḥ . kathametadvijānīyāṃ tvamādau proktavāniti ||4-4||

Arjuna said, I'm confused - you were born much later than Vivasvan, so how could you have taught him this yoga in the beginning, as you claim?

4.5

श्रीभगवानुवाच | बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन | तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप ||४-५||

śrībhagavānuvāca . bahūni me vyatītāni janmāni tava cārjuna . tānyahaṃ veda sarvāṇi na tvaṃ vettha parantapa ||4-5||

Krishna says, I've lived many lives, Arjuna, and so have you, but while I'm aware of all my past lives, you're not aware of yours, brave warrior.

4.6

अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् | प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ||४-६||

ajo.api sannavyayātmā bhūtānāmīśvaro.api san . prakṛtiṃ svāmadhiṣṭhāya sambhavāmyātmamāyayā ||4-6||

I'm unborn and imperishable, the Lord of all beings, yet I take birth through my own power, governing my own nature and manifesting myself in the world.

4.7 · Divine assurance

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत | अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ||४-७||

yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānirbhavati bhārata . abhyutthānamadharmasya tadātmānaṃ sṛjāmyaham ||4-7||

Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, O Bharata, then I manifest Myself.

4.8

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् | धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ||४-८||

paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṃ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām . dharmasaṃsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge ||4-8||

To rescue those who are virtuous, to put an end to evil, and to reestablish the principles of righteousness, Krishna appears in every era.

4.9

जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः | त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन ||४-९||

janma karma ca me divyamevaṃ yo vetti tattvataḥ . tyaktvā dehaṃ punarjanma naiti māmeti so.arjuna ||4-9||

When someone truly understands the divine nature of my birth and actions, they're freed from the cycle of rebirth, and when their time on earth is over, they come to me, Arjuna.

4.10

वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिताः | बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागताः ||४-१०||

vītarāgabhayakrodhā manmayā māmupāśritāḥ . bahavo jñānatapasā pūtā madbhāvamāgatāḥ ||4-10||

Many people have reached my state of being, free from attachment, fear, and anger, with their hearts fully absorbed in me, and purified through the power of spiritual knowledge and self-discipline.

4.11

ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम् | मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ||४-११||

ye yathā māṃ prapadyante tāṃstathaiva bhajāmyaham . mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ ||4-11||

I welcome everyone in the same way they approach me, and ultimately, all paths that people take lead them to follow my way, Arjuna. Whatever method people use to connect with me, I respond in kind. All human beings follow my path in every possible way.

4.12

काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः | क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ||४-१२||

kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṃ siddhiṃ yajanta iha devatāḥ . kṣipraṃ hi mānuṣe loke siddhirbhavati karmajā ||4-12||

People seeking success in their actions here in the world worship the gods, and they quickly achieve their goals through their efforts, as success is swiftly attained through human action.

4.13

चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः | तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् ||४-१३||

cāturvarṇyaṃ mayā sṛṣṭaṃ guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ . tasya kartāramapi māṃ viddhyakartāramavyayam ||4-13||

I created the four social classes based on the distribution of qualities and actions, but know that I, the creator, remain uninvolved and unchanged, beyond the reach of action and its consequences. The distinction between these classes arises from the natural division of qualities and tendencies. I am the origin of this system, yet I myself act without being bound by it.

4.14

न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा | इति मां योऽभिजानाति कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते ||४-१४||

na māṃ karmāṇi limpanti na me karmaphale spṛhā . iti māṃ yo.abhijānāti karmabhirna sa badhyate ||4-14||

Actions don't affect me, and I don't crave the results of those actions. When someone understands me in this way, they're no longer constrained by their actions. This understanding sets them free from the idea that their actions define them.

4.15

एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः | कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम् ||४-१५||

evaṃ jñātvā kṛtaṃ karma pūrvairapi mumukṣubhiḥ . kuru karmaiva tasmāttvaṃ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataraṃ kṛtam ||4-15||

Knowing this, many seekers of freedom who came before us also took action, so now it's your turn to follow in their footsteps and do the same, just as they did in the past.

4.16

किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः | तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ||४-१६||

kiṃ karma kimakarmeti kavayo.apyatra mohitāḥ . tatte karma pravakṣyāmi yajjñātvā mokṣyase.aśubhāt ||4-16||

What constitutes action and what constitutes inaction - even the wisest minds are perplexed by this question. Krishna will explain the nature of action to Arjuna, and by understanding this, he will be freed from suffering. This knowledge will bring liberation from the cycle of pain and negativity.

4.17

कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः | अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः ||४-१७||

karmaṇo hyapi boddhavyaṃ boddhavyaṃ ca vikarmaṇaḥ . akarmaṇaśca boddhavyaṃ gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ ||4-17||

To truly understand, you need to know what action is, what inappropriate action is, and what inaction means, because the workings of action are complex and difficult to grasp.

4.18

कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः | स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् ||४-१८||

karmaṇyakarma yaḥ paśyedakarmaṇi ca karma yaḥ . sa buddhimānmanuṣyeṣu sa yuktaḥ kṛtsnakarmakṛt ||4-18||

One who can see beyond the surface level of action and inaction, recognizing that what seems inactive may actually be active and vice versa, is truly wise and enlightened, having mastered the essence of all actions. Such a person has attained a profound understanding, making them a yogi who has fulfilled all their duties. They have achieved a state of unity and balance in their actions.

4.19

यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिताः | ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहुः पण्डितं बुधाः ||४-१९||

yasya sarve samārambhāḥ kāmasaṅkalpavarjitāḥ . jñānāgnidagdhakarmāṇaṃ tamāhuḥ paṇḍitaṃ budhāḥ ||4-19||

Those who act without being driven by desires or personal motives, and whose actions are purified by the fire of spiritual knowledge, are considered wise by those who truly understand. They are the ones whose endeavors are free from selfish intentions. The wise consider them to be enlightened.

4.20

त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः | कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः ||४-२०||

tyaktvā karmaphalāsaṅgaṃ nityatṛpto nirāśrayaḥ . karmaṇyabhipravṛtto.api naiva kiñcitkaroti saḥ ||4-20||

Letting go of attachment to the outcomes of his actions, Arjuna remains consistently fulfilled and doesn't rely on anything external, so even when he's actively engaged, he's not actually doing anything in the sense of being driven by personal motives. He's free from the need for specific results. His actions are unencumbered by personal expectations.

4.21

निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः | शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ||४-२१||

nirāśīryatacittātmā tyaktasarvaparigrahaḥ . śārīraṃ kevalaṃ karma kurvannāpnoti kilbiṣam ||4-21||

With a controlled mind and a self that's free from desire, and having let go of all attachment, one can perform physical actions without incurring any spiritual harm, because their actions are no longer driven by personal gain or selfish motives.

4.22

यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टो द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सरः | समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापि न निबध्यते ||४-२२||

yadṛcchālābhasantuṣṭo dvandvātīto vimatsaraḥ . samaḥ siddhāvasiddhau ca kṛtvāpi na nibadhyate ||4-22||

He's satisfied with whatever comes his way, untouched by life's dualities and free from jealousy. Whether he succeeds or fails, he remains even-keeled, and even though he's actively engaged, his actions don't entangle him.

4.23

गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः | यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते ||४-२३||

gatasaṅgasya muktasya jñānāvasthitacetasaḥ . yajñāyācarataḥ karma samagraṃ pravilīyate ||4-23||

For someone who's free from attachment, liberated, and grounded in spiritual awareness, every action they take as an offering to a higher purpose completely dissolves, leaving no residue. Their entire being is immersed in a state of awareness, and they perform actions without any sense of personal gain. In this way, all their actions are fully absorbed.

4.24

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् | ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना ||४-२४||

brahmārpaṇaṃ brahma havirbrahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam . brahmaiva tena gantavyaṃ brahmakarmasamādhinā ||4-24||

For those who see things as they truly are, every action is a sacred offering to the divine, with the divine as both the offering and the one receiving it, and by being fully immersed in this awareness, they become one with the ultimate reality. The divine is the offering, the divine is what's being offered, and the divine is the one igniting the flame of sacrifice. In this state, one's actions become a seamless union with the divine.

4.25

दैवमेवापरे यज्ञं योगिनः पर्युपासते | ब्रह्माग्नावपरे यज्ञं यज्ञेनैवोपजुह्वति ||४-२५||

daivamevāpare yajñaṃ yoginaḥ paryupāsate . brahmāgnāvapare yajñaṃ yajñenaivopajuhvati ||4-25||

Some yogis focus their spiritual practice on worshiping the divine, while others, who have realized their true nature, offer their entire being as a sacrifice, merging it into the ultimate reality of Brahman.

4.26

श्रोत्रादीनीन्द्रियाण्यन्ये संयमाग्निषु जुह्वति | शब्दादीन्विषयानन्य इन्द्रियाग्निषु जुह्वति ||४-२६||

śrotrādīnīndriyāṇyanye saṃyamāgniṣu juhvati . śabdādīnviṣayānanya indriyāgniṣu juhvati ||4-26||

Some people discipline their senses, such as hearing, in the fire of self-control, while others offer up their experiences of the external world, like sound, to the inner fire that governs their senses.

4.27

सर्वाणीन्द्रियकर्माणि प्राणकर्माणि चापरे | आत्मसंयमयोगाग्नौ जुह्वति ज्ञानदीपिते ||४-२७||

sarvāṇīndriyakarmāṇi prāṇakarmāṇi cāpare . ātmasaṃyamayogāgnau juhvati jñānadīpite ||4-27||

Some people dedicate all their senses and life energy to the spiritual practice of self-control, ignited by the light of knowledge, and let it transform them. They offer up their entire being to this inner fire, which burns bright with understanding. This is their path to spiritual growth.

4.28

द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे | स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः ||४-२८||

dravyayajñāstapoyajñā yogayajñāstathāpare . svādhyāyajñānayajñāśca yatayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ ||4-28||

Some people dedicate their wealth, practice self-discipline, or cultivate yoga as a form of sacrifice, while others, who have taken strict vows of self-control, offer their studies and spiritual knowledge as a sacrifice.

4.29

अपाने जुह्वति प्राणं प्राणेऽपानं तथापरे | प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणाः ||४-२९||

apāne juhvati prāṇaṃ prāṇe.apānaṃ tathāpare . prāṇāpānagatī ruddhvā prāṇāyāmaparāyaṇāḥ ||4-29||

Some people control their breath, offering the outbreath into the inbreath and the inbreath into the outbreath, and they focus entirely on this practice of regulating the breath, stopping its normal flow.

4.30

अपरे नियताहाराः प्राणान्प्राणेषु जुह्वति | सर्वेऽप्येते यज्ञविदो यज्ञक्षपितकल्मषाः ||४-३०||

apare niyatāhārāḥ prāṇānprāṇeṣu juhvati . sarve.apyete yajñavido yajñakṣapitakalmaṣāḥ ||4-30||

Some people control their eating habits and offer their life force into the fire of life itself. All these individuals have a deep understanding of spiritual sacrifice, and through this practice, their past mistakes are completely erased. They have purified themselves through the power of sacrifice.

4.31

यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम् | नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतोऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम ||४-३१||

yajñaśiṣṭāmṛtabhujo yānti brahma sanātanam . nāyaṃ loko.astyayajñasya kuto.anyaḥ kurusattama ||4-31||

Those who partake of the sacred offerings, infused with the essence of immortality, attain the eternal Brahman. For one who neglects the practice of sacrifice, this world itself is unattainable, so what chance is there of reaching the next, Arjuna?

4.32

एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे | कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे ||४-३२||

evaṃ bahuvidhā yajñā vitatā brahmaṇo mukhe . karmajānviddhi tānsarvānevaṃ jñātvā vimokṣyase ||4-32||

Krishna explains that various forms of sacrifice all originate from Brahman, and knowing that they arise from action will bring you liberation. By understanding this, you'll find freedom. All these sacrifices are rooted in action, and recognizing this truth will set you free.

4.33

श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप | सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते ||४-३३||

śreyāndravyamayādyajñājjñānayajñaḥ parantapa . sarvaṃ karmākhilaṃ pārtha jñāne parisamāpyate ||4-33||

A sacrifice of knowledge is superior to a sacrifice of material wealth, Arjuna. All actions, without exception, ultimately culminate in the pursuit of knowledge, Partha.

4.34

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया | उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ||४-३४||

tadviddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā . upadekṣyanti te jñānaṃ jñāninastattvadarśinaḥ ||4-34||

To understand this, approach those who have seen the truth with humility, ask them questions, and be willing to serve them - they will share their knowledge with you. The wise ones who have realized the truth will guide you in gaining this understanding. By being open and receptive, you can gain wisdom from those who have already gained insight.

4.35

यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव | येन भूतान्यशेषेण द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मन्यथो मयि (var अशेषाणि) ||४-३५||

yajjñātvā na punarmohamevaṃ yāsyasi pāṇḍava . yena bhūtānyaśeṣāṇi drakṣyasyātmanyatho mayi ||4-35||

Once you understand this truth, Arjuna, you'll never be misled like this again, and with that understanding, you'll see all living beings as part of your own self and ultimately as part of me, Krishna. You'll have a clear vision of the oneness of all beings, and this realization will bring you freedom from confusion.

4.36

अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः | सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि ||४-३६||

api cedasi pāpebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ pāpakṛttamaḥ . sarvaṃ jñānaplavenaiva vṛjinaṃ santariṣyasi ||4-36||

Even if you're the most troubled by past mistakes, you can still overcome all your flaws through the power of spiritual understanding, which will carry you through like a lifeline. Krishna is telling Arjuna that no matter how deeply he feels trapped by his mistakes, he can find a way out by cultivating wisdom and self-awareness. This path of knowledge will help him rise above his struggles and find peace.

4.37

यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन | ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा ||४-३७||

yathaidhāṃsi samiddho.agnirbhasmasātkurute.arjuna . jñānāgniḥ sarvakarmāṇi bhasmasātkurute tathā ||4-37||

Just as a raging fire turns its fuel to ashes, the fire of spiritual knowledge burns away all our actions, leaving nothing behind, Arjuna. This inner flame consumes everything, reducing our karma to nothing but ashes. In its presence, all our deeds are completely transformed.

4.38

न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते | तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति ||४-३८||

na hi jñānena sadṛśaṃ pavitramiha vidyate . tatsvayaṃ yogasaṃsiddhaḥ kālenātmani vindati ||4-38||

Nothing in this world is more purifying than knowledge, and when someone is fully established in yoga, they will discover this truth within themselves over time.

4.39

श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः | ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति ||४-३९||

śraddhāvā.Nllabhate jñānaṃ tatparaḥ saṃyatendriyaḥ . jñānaṃ labdhvā parāṃ śāntimacireṇādhigacchati ||4-39||

With faith and self-control, one can gain this knowledge, and once they have it, they quickly find profound peace. A person who is devoted and has learned to manage their senses can attain this understanding, leading to a deep sense of inner calm. By dedicating themselves and regulating their senses, an individual can acquire this knowledge and soon experience supreme tranquility.

4.40

अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति | नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः ||४-४०||

ajñaścāśraddadhānaśca saṃśayātmā vinaśyati . nāyaṃ loko.asti na paro na sukhaṃ saṃśayātmanaḥ ||4-40||

Those who are ignorant, lack faith, or are consumed by doubt will ultimately meet with ruin, for a life of uncertainty brings no joy or fulfillment in this world or the next.

4.41

योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसञ्छिन्नसंशयम् | आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय ||४-४१||

yogasaṃnyastakarmāṇaṃ jñānasañchinnasaṃśayam . ātmavantaṃ na karmāṇi nibadhnanti dhanañjaya ||4-41||

One who has let go of actions through yoga, and whose doubts have been cleared by knowledge, is self-assured and free - actions no longer bind them, Arjuna.

4.42

तस्मादज्ञानसम्भूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनात्मनः | छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत ||४-४२||

tasmādajñānasambhūtaṃ hṛtsthaṃ jñānāsinātmanaḥ . chittvainaṃ saṃśayaṃ yogamātiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhārata ||4-42||

Cut through the doubts that have taken root in your heart, born from a lack of understanding, with the sharp insight of self-awareness, and find refuge in the path of yoga. Rise up now, Arjuna, and take action.