Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita, called ज्ञानकर्मसन्न्यासयोगः (ज्ञान-कर्म-Sannyasa योग), unfolds on the battlefield of कुरुक्षेत्र, where the fate of the पाण्डवाः and कौरवाः hangs in the balance. Here, amid the tension and roar of war, श्रीकृष्ण continues his profound dialogue with अर्जुन, who stands torn between duty and doubt.
The previous chapter, focused on कर्म-योग, taught अर्जुन the art of selfless action-acting without attachment to results. श्रीकृष्ण explained that true freedom comes from dedicating every action to a higher purpose, rather than being trapped by desire or fear. Yet, for अर्जुन, questions linger: How can one act without being bound by action?
As the chapter closes, अर्जुन 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 श्रीकृष्ण clarifies the relationship between renunciation and selfless action in कर्मसन्न्यासयोगः.
ॐ श्री परमात्मने नमः
अथ चतुर्थोऽध्यायः ।
ज्ञानयोगः
Translation (भावार्थ):
Salutations to the Supreme Self. Now begins the fourth chapter, called the Path of Knowledge.
श्रीभगवानुवाच
इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम् ।
विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् ॥ 1 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः ।
स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप ॥ 2 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः ।
भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥ 3 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
अर्जुन उवाच
अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वतः ।
कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति ॥ 4 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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?
श्रीभगवानुवाच
बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन ।
तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप ॥ 5 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् ।
प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ॥ 6 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत ।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥ 7 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, O Arjuna, at those times I manifest Myself in the world.
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् ।
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥ 8 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
To protect the virtuous, to eliminate the wicked, and to restore righteousness, I manifest myself in the world, age after age.
जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः ।
त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन ॥ 9 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिताः ।
बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागताः ॥ 10 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम् ।
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥ 11 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
However people approach Me, I respond to them in that same way. Everyone, in all possible ways, follows My path, Arjuna.
काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः ।
क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ॥ 12 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः ।
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् ॥ 13 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा ।
इति मां योऽभिजानाति कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते ॥ 14 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः ।
कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम् ॥ 15 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः ।
तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ॥ 16 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः ।
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः ॥ 17 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः ।
स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् ॥ 18 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिताः ।
ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहुः पण्डितं बुधाः ॥ 19 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः ।
कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः ॥ 20 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः ।
शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ॥ 21 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टो द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सरः ।
समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापि न निबध्यते ॥ 22 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः ।
यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते ॥ 23 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् ।
ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना ॥ 24 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
दैवमेवापरे यज्ञं योगिनः पर्युपासते ।
ब्रह्माग्नावपरे यज्ञं यज्ञेनैवोपजुह्वति ॥ 25 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
श्रोत्रादीनीन्द्रियाण्यन्ये संयमाग्निषु जुह्वति ।
शब्दादीन्विषयानन्य इन्द्रियाग्निषु जुह्वति ॥ 26 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
सर्वाणीन्द्रियकर्माणि प्राणकर्माणि चापरे ।
आत्मसंयमयोगाग्नौ जुह्वति ज्ञानदीपिते ॥ 27 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे ।
स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः ॥ 28 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
अपाने जुह्वति प्राणं प्राणेऽपानं तथापरे ।
प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणाः ॥ 29 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
अपरे नियताहाराः प्राणान्प्राणेषु जुह्वति ।
सर्वेऽप्येते यज्ञविदो यज्ञक्षपितकल्मषाः ॥ 30 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम् ।
नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतोऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम ॥ 31 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे ।
कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे ॥ 32 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप ।
सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते ॥ 33 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
O Arjuna, the offering of knowledge is greater than sacrifices made with material things. All actions, without exception, ultimately find their completion in knowledge.
तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया ।
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥ 34 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव ।
येन भूतान्यशेषेण द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मन्यथो मयि ॥ 35 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः ।
सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि ॥ 36 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन ।
ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा ॥ 37 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Just as a blazing fire turns wood into ashes, Arjuna, so too the fire of knowledge burns up all actions, leaving nothing behind.
न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते ।
तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति ॥ 38 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः ।
ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति ॥ 39 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति ।
नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः ॥ 40 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
योगसन्न्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसञ्छिन्नसंशयम् ।
आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय ॥ 41 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
तस्मादज्ञानसम्भूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनात्मनः ।
छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत ॥ 42 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे
श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे ज्ञानकर्मसन्न्यासयोगो नाम चतुर्थोऽध्यायः ॥4 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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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