Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita, called jñānakarmasannyāsayōgaḥ (jñāna-karma-Sannyasa yōga), unfolds on the battlefield of kurukṣētra, where the fate of the pāṇḍavāḥ and kauravāḥ hangs in the balance. Here, amid the tension and roar of war, śrīkṛṣṇa continues his profound dialogue with arjuna, who stands torn between duty and doubt.
The previous chapter, focused on karma-yōga, taught arjuna the art of selfless action-acting without attachment to results. śrīkṛṣṇa explained that true freedom comes from dedicating every action to a higher purpose, rather than being trapped by desire or fear. Yet, for arjuna, questions linger: How can one act without being bound by action?
As the chapter closes, arjuna is encouraged to let go of doubt and rise with clarity. The teachings here bridge the practical and the philosophical, showing that wisdom and action, when united, lead to true freedom. This sets the stage for the next chapter, where śrīkṛṣṇa clarifies the relationship between renunciation and selfless action in karmasannyāsayōgaḥ.
ōṃ śrī paramātmanē namaḥ
atha chaturthō'dhyāyaḥ
jñānayōgaḥ
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Salutations to the Supreme Self. Now begins the fourth chapter, called the Path of Knowledge.
śrī bhagavānuvācha
imaṃ vivasvatē yōgaṃ prōktavānahamavyayam ।
vivasvānmanavē prāha manurikṣvākavē'bravīt ॥1॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
The Blessed Lord said: I first taught this imperishable Yoga to Vivasvan, the Sun god. Vivasvan passed it on to Manu, and Manu shared it with Ikshvaku.
ēvaṃ paramparāprāptam imaṃ rājarṣayō viduḥ ।
sa kālēnēha mahatā yōgō naṣṭaḥ parantapa ॥2॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
In this way, the royal sages understood this yoga as it was passed down through generations. But, Arjuna, over a long period, this yoga has been lost here in the world.
sa ēvāyaṃ mayā tē'dya yōgaḥ prōktaḥ purātanaḥ ।
bhaktō'si mē sakhā chēti rahasyaṃ hyētaduttamam ॥3॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
That same ancient Yoga, which is the timeless path of spiritual realization, has been taught to you by Me today, because you are both My devoted follower and My friend. This teaching is truly the highest secret.
arjuna uvācha
aparaṃ bhavatō janma paraṃ janma vivasvataḥ ।
kathamētadvijānīyāṃ tvamādau prōktavāniti ॥4॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Arjuna said: Your birth happened much later, while the birth of Vivasvan was long ago. How am I supposed to understand that you taught this knowledge to him at the very beginning?
śrī bhagavānuvācha
bahūni mē vyatītāni janmāni tava chārjuna ।
tānyahaṃ vēda sarvāṇi na tvaṃ vēttha parantapa ॥5॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
The Blessed Lord said: Arjuna, you and I have both lived through many births. I remember all of them, but you do not, O conqueror of enemies.
ajō'pi sannavyayātmā bhūtānāmīśvarō'pi san ।
prakṛtiṃ svāmadhiṣṭhāya sambhavāmyātmamāyayā ॥6॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Although I am unborn, unchanging, and the Lord of all beings, I manifest Myself by taking control of My own nature, appearing in the world through My unique creative power.
yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānirbhavati bhārata ।
abhyutthānamadharmasya tadā''tmānaṃ sṛjāmyaham ॥7॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, O Arjuna, at those times I manifest Myself in the world.
paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṃ vināśāya cha duṣkṛtām ।
dharmasaṃsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yugē yugē ॥8॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
To protect the virtuous, to eliminate the wicked, and to restore righteousness, I manifest myself in the world, age after age.
janma karma cha mē divyam ēvaṃ yō vētti tattvataḥ ।
tyaktvā dēhaṃ punarjanma naiti māmēti sō'rjuna ॥9॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Whoever truly understands the divine nature of My birth and actions, after leaving this body, is not born again but comes directly to Me, Arjuna.
vītarāgabhayakrōdhāḥ manmayā māmupāśritāḥ ।
bahavō jñānatapasā pūtā madbhāvamāgatāḥ ॥10॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Many people, having let go of attachment, fear, and anger, and becoming fully absorbed in Me and taking shelter in Me, have purified themselves through the discipline of knowledge and reached My state.
yē yathā māṃ prapadyantē tāṃstathaiva bhajāmyaham ।
mama vartmānuvartantē manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ ॥11॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
However people approach Me, I respond to them in that same way. Everyone, in all possible ways, follows My path, Arjuna.
kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṃ siddhiṃ yajanta iha dēvatāḥ ।
kṣipraṃ hi mānuṣē lōkē siddhirbhavati karmajā ॥12॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Those who seek the results of their actions worship the gods in this world, because success from actions comes quickly for people in the human realm.
chāturvarṇyaṃ mayā sṛṣṭaṃ guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ ।
tasya kartāramapi māṃ viddhyakartāramavyayam ॥13॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
I established the fourfold social order based on the division of qualities and actions. Even though I am the originator of this system, understand that I am not bound by action and remain unchanged.
na māṃ karmāṇi limpanti na mē karmaphalē spṛhā ।
iti māṃ yō'bhijānāti karmabhirna sa badhyatē ॥14॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Actions do not affect Me, nor do I have any desire for the results of actions. Whoever truly understands this about Me is not bound by actions either.
ēvaṃ jñātvā kṛtaṃ karma pūrvairapi mumukṣubhiḥ ।
kuru karmaiva tasmāttvaṃ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataraṃ kṛtam ॥15॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
In this way, understanding the true nature of action, even the ancient seekers of liberation performed their duties. Therefore, you too should act, following the example set by those who came before you.
kiṃ karma kimakarmēti kavayō'pyatra mōhitāḥ ।
tattē karma pravakṣyāmi yajjñātvā mōkṣyasē'śubhāt ॥16॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Even thoughtful people are often puzzled about what truly counts as action and what is inaction. I will explain to you the nature of action, and by understanding it, you will be freed from the negative consequences of ignorance.
karmaṇō hyapi bōddhavyaṃ bōddhavyaṃ cha vikarmaṇaḥ ।
akarmaṇaścha bōddhavyaṃ gahanā karmaṇō gatiḥ ॥17॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
One must understand what is meant by action, by forbidden action, and by inaction. The real nature and consequences of action are truly deep and hard to unravel.
karmaṇyakarma yaḥ paśyēt akarmaṇi cha karma yaḥ ।
sa buddhimānmanuṣyēṣu sa yuktaḥ kṛtsnakarmakṛt ॥18॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
One who can recognize the presence of stillness within activity, and the subtle workings of action even in apparent stillness, is truly wise among people. Such a person is deeply integrated and has accomplished all that needs to be done.
yasya sarvē samārambhāḥ kāmasaṅkalpavarjitāḥ ।
jñānāgnidagdhakarmāṇaṃ tamāhuḥ paṇḍitaṃ budhāḥ ॥19॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Those whose every action is free from desire and selfish intention, and whose deeds have been consumed by the fire of wisdom, are recognized by the wise as truly learned.
tyaktvā karmaphalāsaṅgaṃ nityatṛptō nirāśrayaḥ ।
karmaṇyabhipravṛttō'pi naiva kiñchitkarōti saḥ ॥20॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
One who has let go of attachment to the outcomes of actions, who is always satisfied and depends on nothing external, truly does nothing at all, even while actively engaged in work.
nirāśīryatachittātmā tyaktasarva parigrahaḥ ।
śārīraṃ kēvalaṃ karma kurvannāpnōti kilbiṣam ॥21॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
A person who acts without expectation, whose mind and self are controlled, and who has renounced all possessions, performing only the actions necessary for bodily maintenance, does not become tainted by wrongdoing.
yadṛchChālābhasantuṣṭaḥ dvandvātītō vimatsaraḥ ।
samaḥ siddhāvasiddhau cha kṛtvāpi na nibadhyatē ॥22॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
One who is content with whatever comes by chance, who has risen above the pull of opposites, who is free from envy, and who remains steady in both success and failure, is not bound by actions even while acting.
gatasaṅgasya muktasya jñānāvasthitachētasaḥ ।
yajñāyācharataḥ karma samagraṃ pravilīyatē ॥23॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
For the person who is free from attachment, liberated, and whose mind is firmly rooted in knowledge, all actions performed as an offering or sacrifice are completely dissolved.
brahmārpaṇaṃ brahma haviḥ brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam ।
brahmaiva tēna gantavyaṃ brahmakarmasamādhinā ॥24॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
For one who is absorbed in seeing everything as the Supreme, the ladle is the Supreme, the offering is the Supreme, the fire is the Supreme, and the act of offering is performed by the Supreme. Such a person, who is fully focused on this unity, attains the Supreme alone.
daivamēvāparē yajñaṃ yōginaḥ paryupāsatē ।
brahmāgnāvaparē yajñaṃ yajñēnaivōpajuhvati ॥25॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Some yogis perform sacrifices directed only to the gods, while others, with deeper understanding, offer their very self as a sacrifice into the fire of Brahman, using the self itself as the means of offering.
śrōtrādīnīndriyāṇyanyē saṃyamāgniṣu juhvati ।
śabdādīnviṣayānanyē indriyāgniṣu juhvati ॥26॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Some people dedicate their senses, such as hearing and others, into the fire of self-control, treating restraint as a sacred act. Others offer the objects of the senses, like sound and so on, into the fires of the senses themselves, engaging with them with mindful discipline.
sarvāṇīndriyakarmāṇi prāṇakarmāṇi chāparē ।
ātmasaṃyamayōgāgnau juhvati jñānadīpitē ॥27॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Some people dedicate all the activities of their senses and the functions of their life-force into the fire of self-discipline, a fire fueled and illuminated by knowledge.
dravyayajñāstapōyajñāḥ yōgayajñāstathā'parē ।
svādhyāyajñānayajñāścha yatayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ ॥28॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Similarly, some offer material possessions as sacrifice, others dedicate themselves through austerity or yogic discipline, while yet others, being self-controlled and steadfast in their vows, offer the study of sacred texts and pursuit of knowledge as their sacrifice.
apānē juhvati prāṇaṃ prāṇē'pānaṃ tathāparē ।
prāṇāpānagatī ruddhvā prāṇāyāmaparāyaṇāḥ ॥29॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Some people, deeply dedicated to breath control, offer the outgoing breath into the incoming, and others offer the incoming breath into the outgoing. There are also those who, having restrained the movement of both, focus entirely on mastering the process of breath regulation.
aparē niyatāhārāḥ prāṇānprāṇēṣu juhvati ।
sarvē'pyētē yajñavidaḥ yajñakṣapitakalmaṣāḥ ॥30॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Others, who regulate their diet, offer the energies of life into each other. All of these are knowledgeable about sacrifice, and by such acts, their faults are removed through sacrifice.
yajñaśiṣṭāmṛtabhujaḥ yānti brahma sanātanam ।
nāyaṃ lōkō'styayajñasya kutō'nyaḥ kurusattama ॥31॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Those who partake of the nectar-like remnants left after sacrifice attain the eternal Brahman. For someone who does not perform sacrifice, even this world is unattainable-how much more so the next, O Arjuna.
ēvaṃ bahuvidhā yajñāḥ vitatā brahmaṇō mukhē ।
karmajānviddhi tānsarvān ēvaṃ jñātvā vimōkṣyasē ॥32॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
In this way, various kinds of sacrifices are set forth at the gateway of the Vedas. Understand that all of them arise from action. By realizing this, you will become free.
śrēyāndravyamayādyajñāt jñānayajñaḥ parantapa ।
sarvaṃ karmākhilaṃ pārtha jñānē parisamāpyatē ॥33॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Arjuna, the offering of knowledge is greater than sacrifices made with material things. All actions, without exception, ultimately find their completion in knowledge.
tadviddhi praṇipātēna paripraśnēna sēvayā ।
upadēkṣyanti tē jñānaṃ jñāninastattvadarśinaḥ ॥34॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Learn this wisdom by approaching realized teachers with humility, asking sincere questions, and serving them. Those who truly know and have seen the truth will share this knowledge with you.
yajjñātvā na punarmōham ēvaṃ yāsyasi pāṇḍava ।
yēna bhūtānyaśēṣēṇa drakṣyasyātmanyathō mayi ॥35॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Once you truly understand this knowledge, Arjuna, you will not fall into confusion like before. Through it, you will perceive all living beings, without exception, as rooted in your own Self and ultimately in Me.
api chēdasi pāpēbhyaḥ sarvēbhyaḥ pāpakṛttamaḥ ।
sarvaṃ jñānaplavēnaiva vṛjinaṃ santariṣyasi ॥36॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Even if you are the most sinful among all people, you will still cross over every wrong and misdeed by relying solely on the raft of knowledge.
yathaidhāṃsi samiddhō'gniḥ bhasmasātkurutē'rjuna ।
jñānāgniḥ sarvakarmāṇi bhasmasātkurutē tathā ॥37॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Just as a blazing fire turns wood into ashes, Arjuna, so too the fire of knowledge burns up all actions, leaving nothing behind.
na hi jñānēna sadṛśaṃ pavitramiha vidyatē ।
tatsvayaṃ yōgasaṃsiddhaḥ kālēnātmani vindati ॥38॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
There is nothing in this world that purifies like knowledge. Over time, one who is perfected through yoga discovers this knowledge within their own self.
śraddhāvān labhatē jñānaṃ tatparaḥ saṃyatēndriyaḥ ।
jñānaṃ labdhvā parāṃ śāntim achirēṇādhigachChati ॥39॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
A person who has faith, is dedicated, and has mastered their senses gains knowledge. Once they have gained this knowledge, they soon reach the highest peace.
ajñaśchāśraddadhānaścha saṃśayātmā vinaśyati ।
nāyaṃ lōkō'sti na paraḥ na sukhaṃ saṃśayātmanaḥ ॥40॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Those who are ignorant, lack faith, and are plagued by doubt are ruined. For someone whose mind is full of doubt, neither this world nor the next, nor any real happiness, is attainable.
yōgasannyastakarmāṇaṃ jñānasañChinnasaṃśayam ।
ātmavantaṃ na karmāṇi nibadhnanti dhanañjaya ॥41॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Arjuna, actions do not bind the person who has renounced actions through disciplined yoga, whose doubts have been completely destroyed by knowledge, and who is firmly self-controlled.
tasmādajñānasambhūtaṃ hṛtsthaṃ jñānāsinātmanaḥ ।
Chittvainaṃ saṃśayaṃ yōgam ātiṣṭhōttiṣṭha bhārata ॥42॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Therefore, using the sword of knowledge, cut away the doubt in your heart that has grown from ignorance about your true self. Stand firm in yoga, and rise up, O Arjuna.
॥ ōṃ tatsaditi śrīmadbhagavadgītāsu upaniṣatsu brahmavidyāyāṃ
yōgaśāstrē śrīkṛṣṇārjunasaṃvādē jñānayōgō nāma chaturthō'dhyāyaḥ ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Thus ends the fourth chapter, called the Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action, in the sacred dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, which forms part of the revered Bhagavad Gita Upanishad, a scripture of spiritual wisdom and yoga.
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