Chapter 4
Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
The Yoga of Knowledge and the Renunciation of Action
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Verse 4.1
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam |
vivasvān manave prāha manur ikṣvākave ’bravīt ||1||
shri-bhagavan uvacha
imam vivasvate yogam proktavan aham avyayam |
vivasvan manave praha manur ikshvakave ’bravit ||1||
Translation: The Supreme Lord said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god Vivasvan, Vivasvan instructed it to Manu, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikshvaku.
Verse 4.2
evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ |
sa kāleneha mahatā yogo naṣṭaḥ parantapa ||2||
evam parampara-praptam imam rajarshayo viduh |
sa kaleneha mahata yogo nashtah parantapa ||2||
Translation: This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.
Verse 4.3
sa evāyaṁ mayā te ’dya yogaḥ proktaḥ purātanaḥ |
bhakto ’si me sakhā ceti rahasyaṁ hy etad uttamam ||3||
sa evayam maya te ’dya yogah proktah puratanah |
bhakto ’si me sakha cheti rahasyam hy etad uttamam ||3||
Translation: That very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today imparted by Me to you because you are My devotee as well as My friend; therefore you can understand this supreme mystery.
Verse 4.4
arjuna uvāca
aparaṁ bhavato janma paraṁ janma vivasvataḥ |
katham etad vijānīyān tvam ādau proktavān iti ||4||
arjuna uvacha
aparam bhavato janma paran janma vivasvatah |
katham etad vijaniyan tvam adau proktavan iti ||4||
Translation: Arjuna said: The sun-god Vivasvan is senior by birth to You. How am I to understand that in the beginning You instructed this science to him?
Verse 4.5
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
bahūni me vyatītāni janmāni tava cārjuna |
tāny ahaṁ veda sarvāṇi na tvaṁ vettha parantapa ||5||
shri-bhagavan uvacha
bahuni me vyatitani janmani tava charjuna |
tany aham veda sarvani na tvam vettha parantapa ||5||
Translation: The Supreme Lord said: Many, many births both you and I have passed. I can remember all of them, but you cannot, O chastiser of the enemy!
Verse 4.6
ajo ’pi sann avyayātmā bhūtānām īśvaro ’pi san |
prakṛtiṁ svām adhiṣṭhāya sambhavāmy ātma-māyayā ||6||
ajo ’pi sann avyayatma bhutanam ishvaro ’pi san |
prakritim svam adhishthaya sambhavamy atma-mayaya ||6||
Translation: Although I am unborn and My transcendental body never deteriorates, and although I am the Lord of all living entities, I still appear in every millennium in My original transcendental form.
Verse 4.7
yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata |
abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham ||7||
yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata |
abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srijamy aham ||7||
Translation: Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself.
Verse 4.8
paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām |
dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge ||8||
paritranaya sadhunam vinashaya cha dushkritam |
dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge ||8||
Translation: To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear millennium after millennium.
Verse 4.9
janma karma ca me divyam evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ |
tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti so ’rjuna ||9||
janma karma cha me divyam evam yo vetti tattvatah |
tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti so ’rjuna ||9||
Translation: One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.
Verse 4.10
vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhā manmayā mām upāśritāḥ |
bahavo jñāna-tapasā pūtā mad-bhāvam āgatāḥ ||10||
vita-raga-bhaya-krodha manmaya mam upashritah |
bahavo jnana-tapasa puta mad-bhavam agatah ||10||
Translation: Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me—and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me.
Verse 4.11
ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham |
mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ ||11||
ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham |
mama vartmanuvartante manushyah partha sarvashah ||11||
Translation: As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pritha.
Verse 4.12
kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṁ siddhiṁ yajanta iha devatāḥ |
kṣipram hi mānuṣe loke siddhir bhavati karmajā ||12||
kankshantah karmanam siddhim yajanta iha devatah |
kshipram hi manushe loke siddhir bhavati karmaja ||12||
Translation: Men in this world desire success in fruitive activities, and therefore they worship the demigods. Quickly, of course, men get results from work in this world.
Verse 4.13
cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ |
tasya kartāram api māṁ viddhy akartāram avyayam ||13||
chatur-varnyam maya srishtan guna-karma-vibhagashah |
tasya kartaram api mam viddhy akartaram avyayam ||13||
Translation: According to the three modes of material nature and the work associated with them, the four divisions of human society are created by Me. And although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-creator, being unchangeable.
Verse 4.14
na māṁ karmāṇi limpanti na me karma-phale spṛhā |
iti māṁ yo ’bhijānāti karmabhir na sa badhyate ||14||
na man karmani limpanti na me karma-phale spriha |
iti mam yo ’bhijanati karmabhir na sa badhyate ||14||
Translation: There is no work that affects Me; nor do I aspire for the fruits of action. One who understands this truth about Me also does not become bound by the reactions of work.
Verse 4.15
evaṁ jñātvā kṛtaṁ karma pūrvair api mumukṣubhiḥ |
kuru karmaiva tasmāt tvaṁ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataraṁ kṛtam ||15||
evan jnatva kritan karma purvair api mumukshubhih |
kuru karmaiva tasmat tvam purvaih purvataran kritam ||15||
Translation: Having understood this, the ancient liberated souls performed their duties. Therefore, you should perform your duty in this divine consciousness, following in their footsteps.
Verse 4.16
kiṁ karma kim akarmeti kavayo ’py atra mohitāḥ |
tat te karma pravakṣyāmi yaj jñātvā mokṣyase ’śubhāt ||16||
kin karma kim akarmeti kavayo ’py atra mohitah |
tat te karma pravakshyami yaj jnatva mokshyase ’shubhat ||16||
Translation: Even the intelligent are bewildered in determining what is action and what is inaction. Now I shall explain to you what action is, knowing which you shall be liberated from all misfortune.
Verse 4.17
karmaṇo hy api boddhavyaṁ boddhavyaṁ ca vikarmaṇaḥ |
akarmaṇaś ca boddhavyaṁ gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ ||17||
karmano hy api boddhavyam boddhavyan cha vikarmanah |
akarmanash cha boddhavyan gahana karmano gatih ||17||
Translation: One must understand what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is. The intricacies of action are very hard to understand.
Verse 4.18
karmaṇy akarma yaḥ paśyed akarmaṇi ca karma yaḥ |
sa buddhimān manuṣyeṣu sa yuktaḥ kṛtsna-karma-kṛt ||18||
karmany akarma yah pashyed akarmani cha karma yah |
sa buddhiman manushyeshu sa yuktah kritsna-karma-krit ||18||
Translation: One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men, and he is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities.
Verse 4.19
yasya sarve samārambhāḥ kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ |
jñānāgni-dagdha-karmāṇaṁ tam āhuḥ paṇḍitaṁ budhāḥ ||19||
yasya sarve samarambhah kama-sankalpa-varjitah |
jnanagni-dagdha-karmanan tam ahuh panditam budhah ||19||
Translation: One whose every endeavor is devoid of desire for sense gratification is said by sages to be a worker whose karmic reactions have been burned up by the fire of perfect knowledge.
Verse 4.20
tyaktvā karma-phalāsaṅgaṁ nitya-tṛpto nirāśrayaḥ |
karmaṇy abhipravṛtto ’pi naiva kiñcit karoti saḥ ||20||
tyaktva karma-phalasangam nitya-tripto nirashrayah |
karmany abhipravritto ’pi naiva kinchit karoti sah ||20||
Translation: Abandoning all attachment to the results of his activities, ever satisfied and independent, he performs no fruitive actions, although engaged in all kinds of undertakings.
Verse 4.21
nirāśīr yata-cittātmā tyakta-sarva-parigrahaḥ |
śārīraṁ kevalaṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣam ||21||
nirashir yata-chittatma tyakta-sarva-parigrahah |
shariran kevalan karma kurvan napnoti kilbisham ||21||
Translation: Free from desires, with mind and intelligence fully controlled, giving up all sense of proprietorship, and acting only for the basic needs of the body, one does not incur sinful reactions.
Verse 4.22
yadṛcchā-lābha-santuṣṭo dvandvātīto vimatsaraḥ |
samaḥ siddhāv asiddhau ca kṛtvāpi na nibadhyate ||22||
yadrichchha-labha-santushto dvandvatito vimatsarah |
samah siddhav asiddhau cha kritvapi na nibadhyate ||22||
Translation: He who is satisfied with whatever comes by chance, who is free from dualities and envy, who is equipoised in success and failure, is never bound, even though performing actions.
Verse 4.23
gata-saṅgasya muktasya jñānāvasthita-cetasaḥ |
yajñāyācarataḥ karma samagraṁ pravilīyate ||23||
gata-sangasya muktasya jnanavasthita-chetasah |
yajnayacharatah karma samagram praviliyate ||23||
Translation: The work of a man who is unattached to the modes of material nature and who is fully situated in transcendental knowledge becomes fully dissolved in the supreme spirit.
Verse 4.24
brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam |
brahmaiva tena gantavyaṁ brahma-karma-samādhinā ||24||
brahmarpanam brahma havir brahmagnau brahmana hutam |
brahmaiva tena gantavyam brahma-karma-samadhina ||24||
Translation: A person who is fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness is sure to attain the spiritual kingdom because of his full contribution to spiritual activities, in which the consummation is absolute and that which is offered is of the same spiritual nature.
Verse 4.25
daivam evāpare yajñaṁ yoginaḥ paryupāsate |
brahmāgnāv apare yajñaṁ yajñenaivopajuhvati ||25||
daivam evapare yajnam yoginah paryupasate |
brahmagnav apare yajnam yajnenaivopajuhvati ||25||
Translation: Some yogis perfectly worship the demigods by offering various sacrifices to them, and others offer sacrifice in the fire of the Supreme Brahman by the supreme sacrifice of self.
Verse 4.26
śrotrādīnīndriyāṇy anye saṁyamāgniṣu juhvati |
śabdādīn viṣayān anya indriyāgniṣu juhvati ||26||
shrotradinindriyany anye samyamagnishu juhvati |
shabdadin vishayan anya indriyagnishu juhvati ||26||
Translation: Others [the unalloyed brahmacaris] sacrifice the hearing process and the senses in the fire of mental control, and others [the regulated householders] sacrifice the objects of the senses in the fire of the senses.
Verse 4.27
sarvāṇīndriya-karmāṇi prāṇa-karmāṇi cāpare |
ātma-saṁyama-yogāgnau juhvati jñāna-dīpite ||27||
sarvanindriya-karmani prana-karmani chapare |
atma-samyama-yogagnau juhvati jnana-dipite ||27||
Translation: Others, who are interested in achieving self-realization through control of the mind and senses, offer the functions of all the senses and of the life breath as oblations into the fire of the controlled mind.
Verse 4.28
dravya-yajñās tapo-yajñā yoga-yajñās tathāpare |
svādhyāya-jñāna-yajñāś ca yatayaḥ saṁśita-vratāḥ ||28||
dravya-yajnas tapo-yajna yoga-yajnas tathapare |
svadhyaya-jnana-yajnash cha yatayah samshita-vratah ||28||
Translation: Having accepted strict vows, some become enlightened by sacrificing their possessions, by austerities, by practicing yoga, or by studying the Vedas to advance in transcendental knowledge.
Verse 4.29
apāne juhvati prāṇaṁ prāṇe ’pānaṁ tathāpare |
prāṇāpāna-gatī ruddhvā prāṇāyāma-parāyaṇāḥ ||29||
apane juhvati pranam prane ’panan tathapare |
pranapana-gati ruddhva pranayama-parayanah ||29||
Translation: Still others, who are inclined to the process of breath control to remain in trance, practice by offering the movement of the outgoing breath into the incoming breath, and the incoming breath into the outgoing breath, and at last remain in trance, stopping all breathing.
Verse 4.30
apare niyatāhārāḥ prāṇān prāṇeṣu juhvati |
sarve ’py ete yajña-vido yajña-kṣapita-kalmaṣāḥ ||30||
apare niyataharah pranan praneshu juhvati |
sarve ’py ete yajna-vido yajna-kshapita-kalmashah ||30||
Translation: Others, curtailing the eating process, offer the outgoing breath into itself. All these performers of sacrifice, who know the meaning of sacrifice, become cleansed of sinful reactions.
Verse 4.31
yajña-śiṣṭāmṛta-bhujo yānti brahma sanātanam |
nāyaṁ loko ’sty ayajñasya kuto ’nyaḥ kuru-sattama ||31||
yajna-shishtamrita-bhujo yanti brahma sanatanam |
nayam loko ’sty ayajnasya kuto ’nyah kuru-sattama ||31||
Translation: O best of the Kurus, the tasters of the nectar of results of sacrifice attain the supreme eternal Brahman. Without sacrifice, one can never live happily on this planet or in this life; what then of the next?
Verse 4.32
evaṁ bahu-vidhā yajñā vitatā brahmaṇo mukhe |
karma-jān viddhi tān sarvān evaṁ jñātvā vimokṣyase ||32||
evam bahu-vidha yajna vitata brahmano mukhe |
karma-jan viddhi tan sarvan evan jnatva vimokshyase ||32||
Translation: All these diverse types of sacrifices are approved by the Vedas, and all of them are born of work. Knowing them thus, you will become liberated.
Verse 4.33
śreyān dravya-mayād yajñāj jñāna-yajñaḥ parantapa |
sarvaṁ karmākhilaṁ pārtha jñāne parisamāpyate ||33||
shreyan dravya-mayad yajnaj jnana-yajnah parantapa |
sarvan karmakhilam partha jnane parisamapyate ||33||
Translation: O chastiser of the enemy, the sacrifice performed in knowledge is better than the mere sacrifice of material possessions. After all, O son of Pritha, all sacrifices of work culminate in transcendental knowledge.
Verse 4.34
tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā |
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ ||34||
tad viddhi pranipatena pariprashnena sevaya |
upadekshyanti te jnanan jnaninas tattva-darshinah ||34||
Translation: Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.
Verse 4.35
yaj jñātvā na punar moham evaṁ yāsyasi pāṇḍava |
yena bhūtāny aśeṣeṇa drakṣyasy ātmany atho mayi ||35||
yaj jnatva na punar moham evam yasyasi pandava |
yena bhutany asheshena drakshyasy atmany atho mayi ||35||
Translation: And when you have thus learned the truth, you will know that all living beings are but part of Me—that they are in Me, and that they are Mine.
Verse 4.36
api ced asi pāpebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ pāpa-kṛttamaḥ |
sarvaṁ jñāna-plavenaiva vṛjinaṁ santariṣyasi ||36||
api ched asi papebhyah sarvebhyah papa-krittamah |
sarvan jnana-plavenaiva vrijinam santarishyasi ||36||
Translation: Even if you are considered to be the most sinful of all sinners, when you are situated in the boat of transcendental knowledge you will be able to cross over the ocean of miseries.
Verse 4.37
yathaidhāṁsi samiddho ’gnir bhasmasāt kurute ’rjuna |
jñānāgniḥ sarva-karmāṇi bhasmasāt kurute tathā ||37||
yathaidhamsi samiddho ’gnir bhasmasat kurute ’rjuna |
jnanagnih sarva-karmani bhasmasat kurute tatha ||37||
Translation: As a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, so does the fire of knowledge burn to ashes all reactions to material activities, O Arjuna.
Verse 4.38
na hi jñānena sadṛśaṁ pavitram iha vidyate |
tat svayaṁ yoga-saṁsiddhaḥ kālenātmani vindati ||38||
na hi jnanena sadrisham pavitram iha vidyate |
tat svayam yoga-samsiddhah kalenatmani vindati ||38||
Translation: In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. And one who has achieved this enjoys the self within himself in due course of time.
Verse 4.39
śraddhāvāṁl labhate jñānaṁ tat-paraḥ saṁyatendriyaḥ |
jñānaṁ labdhvā parāṁ śāntim acireṇādhigacchati ||39||
shraddhavaml labhate jnanan tat-parah samyatendriyah |
jnanam labdhva param shantim achirenadhigachchhati ||39||
Translation: A faithful man who is dedicated to transcendental knowledge and who subdues his senses is eligible to achieve such knowledge, and having achieved it he quickly attains the supreme spiritual peace.
Verse 4.40
ajñaś cāśraddadhānaś ca saṁśayātmā vinaśyati |
nāyaṁ loko ’sti na paro na sukhaṁ saṁśayātmanaḥ ||40||
ajnash chashraddadhanash cha samshayatma vinashyati |
nayam loko ’sti na paro na sukham samshayatmanah ||40||
Translation: But ignorant and faithless persons who doubt the revealed scriptures do not attain God consciousness; they fall down. For the doubting soul there is happiness neither in this world nor in the next.
Verse 4.41
yoga-sannyasta-karmāṇaṁ jñāna-saṁchinna-saṁśayam |
ātmavantaṁ na karmāṇi nibadhnanti dhanañjaya ||41||
yoga-sannyasta-karmanan jnana-sanchhinna-samshayam |
atmavantam na karmani nibadhnanti dhananjaya ||41||
Translation: One who renounces work in devotion, whose doubts are destroyed by transcendental knowledge, and who is situated firmly in the self is not bound by works, O Dhananjaya.
Verse 4.42
tasmād ajñāna-sambhūtaṁ hṛt-sthaṁ jñānāsinātmanaḥ |
chittvainaṁ saṁśayaṁ yogam ātiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhārata ||42||
tasmad ajnana-sambhutam hrit-sthan jnanasinatmanah |
chhittvainam samshayam yogam atishthottishtha bharata ||42||
Translation: Therefore, the doubts which have arisen in your heart out of ignorance should be slashed by the weapon of knowledge. Armed with yoga, stand and fight, O Bharata.