Bhagavad Gītā

Chapter 4: Jñāna Karma Saṃnyāsa Yoga

— begin anuṣṭubh meter (4x8) —

Śloka 4.1

श्रीभगवानुवाच
śrībhagavānuvāca
इमं विवस्वते योगं
imaṃ vivasvate yogaṃ
प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम् ।
proktavānahamavyayam |
विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह
vivasvānmanave prāha
मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् ॥ १ ॥
manurikṣvākave’bravīt ‖ 1 ‖

~~~

śrī-bhagavān-uvāca: The Blessed + Lord + he said; imam: this; vivasvate: to Vivasvat; yogam: [buddhi]-yoga; proktavān-aham-avyayam: taught + I + unchanging; vivasvān-manave: Vivasvat + to Manu; prāha: taught; manuḥ-ikṣvākave-abravīt: Manu + to Ikṣvāku + he taught

The Blessed Lord said: “I taught this unchanging [buddhi]-yoga to Vivasvat, who taught it to Manu, who taught it to Ikṣvāku.”

Śloka 4.2

एवं परम्पराप्राप्तम्-
evaṃ paramparāprāptam-
इमं राजर्षयो विदुः ।
imaṃ rājarṣayo viduḥ |
स कालेनेह महता
sa kāleneha mahatā
योगो नष्टः परन्तप ॥ २ ॥
yogo naṣṭaḥ parantapa ‖ 2 ‖

~~~

evam: thus; paramparā-prāptam: lineage + received; imaṃ: this; rājarṣayaḥ: great sages; viduḥ: they understood; saḥ: it; kālena-iha: by (over) time + in (to) this world; mahatā: great; yogaḥ: Yoga; naṣṭaḥ: lost; parantapa: O Scorcher of Foes

“Thus, through lineage this great [buddhi]-yoga was received and understood by the great sages, O Scorcher of Foes.  But over time, it was lost to the world.”

Śloka 4.3

स एवायं मया तेऽद्य
sa evāyaṃ mayā te’dya
योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः ।
yogaḥ proktaḥ purātanaḥ |
भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति
bhakto’si me sakhā ceti
रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥ ३ ॥
rahasyaṃ hyetaduttamam ‖ 3 ‖

~~~

saḥ: that; eva-ayam: thus + this; mayā: by me; te-adya: to you + now; yogaḥ: [buddhi]-yoga; proktaḥ: imparted; purātanaḥ: ancient; bhaktaḥ-asi: devotee + you are; me: my; sakhā: friend; ca-iti: and + thus; rahasyam: secret; hi-etat-uttamam: for + this + highest

“Thus, that same ancient [buddhi]-yoga has now been imparted by me to you, for you are my devotee and friend.  This is the highest secret.”

Śloka 4.4

अर्जुन उवाच
arjuna uvāca
अपरं भवतो जन्म
aparaṃ bhavato janma
परं जन्म विवस्वतः ।
paraṃ janma vivasvataḥ |
कथमेतद्विजानीयां
kathametadvijānīyāṃ
त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति ॥ ४ ॥
tvamādau proktavāniti ‖ 4 ‖

~~~

arjuna: Arjuna; uvāca: he said; aparam: later; bhavataḥ: your; janma: birth; param: earlier; janma: birth; vivasvataḥ: of Vivasvat; katham-etat-vijānīyām: how + this + I should understand; tvam-ādau: you + in the beginning; proktavān-iti: taught + thus

Arjuna said: “Vivasvat’s birth was earlier, and your birth was later.  How am I to understand that you taught this [buddhiyoga] to him in the beginning?”

Śloka 4.5

श्रीभगवानुवाच
śrībhagavānuvāca
बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि
bahūni me vyatītāni
जन्मानि तव चार्जुन ।
janmāni tava cārjuna |
तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि
tānyahaṃ veda sarvāṇi
न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप ॥ ५ ॥
na tvaṃ vettha parantapa ‖ 5 ‖

~~~

śrī-bhagavān-uvāca: The Blessed + Lord + he said; bahūni: many; me: my; vyatītāni: passed; janmāni: births; tava: of yours; ca-arjuna: and + Arjuna; tāni-aham: them + I; veda: I know; sarvāṇi: all; na: not; tvam: you; vettha: you know; parantapa: O Scorcher of Foes

The Blessed Lord said: “Many of my births have passed, O Arjuna, as well as yours.  I know them all, O Scorcher of Foes, but you know them not.”

Śloka 4.6

अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा
ajo’pi sannavyayātmā
भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् ।
bhūtānāmīśvaro’pi san |
प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय
prakṛtiṃ svāmadhiṣṭhāya
सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ॥ ६ ॥
sambhavāmyātmamāyayā ‖ 6 ‖

~~~

ajaḥ-api: unborn + although; san-avyaya-ātmā: being + immutable + soul; bhūtānām-īśvaraḥ-api: of beings + Oversoul + also; san: being; prakṛtim: nature; svām-adhiṣṭhāya: my own + having mastered; sambhavāmi-ātma-māyayā: I take birth + by my own + power

“Although I am the Unborn, Immutable Soul, and Oversoul of all beings, having mastered my own nature, I take birth by my own power.”

Śloka 4.7

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य
yadā yadā hi dharmasya
ग्लानिर्भवति भारत ।
glānirbhavati bhārata |
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य
abhyutthānamadharmasya
तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥ ७ ॥
tadātmānaṃ sṛjāmyaham ‖ 7 ‖

~~~

yadā: whenever; yadā: wherever; hi: certainly; dharmasya: of religion; glāniḥ-bhavati: decline + it is; bhārata: O Descendant of Bharata; abhyutthānam-adharmasya: rise + of irreligion; tadā-ātmānam: then + myself; sṛjāmi-aham: I manifest + I

“Whenever and wherever there is a decline of religion, and a rise of irreligion, O Descendant of Bharata, then I manifest myself.”

Śloka 4.8

परित्राणाय साधूनां
paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṃ
विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् ।
vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām |
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय
dharmasaṃsthāpanārthāya
सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥ ८ ॥
sambhavāmi yuge yuge ‖ 8 ‖

~~~

paritrāṇāya: for the protection; sādhūnām: of the righteous; vināśāya: for the destruction; ca: and; duṣkṛtām: of the wicked; dharma-saṃsthāpana-arthāya: for religion + reestablishment + purpose; sambhavāmi: I take birth; yuge: in age; yuge: in age

“For the protection of the righteous, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the reestablishment of religion, I take birth age after age.”

Śloka 4.9

जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यम्-
janma karma ca me divyam-
एवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः ।
evaṃ yo vetti tattvataḥ |
त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म
tyaktvā dehaṃ punarjanma
नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन ॥ ९ ॥
naiti māmeti so’rjuna ‖ 9 ‖

~~~

janma: birth; karma: activity; ca: and; me: my; divyam-evam: divine + thus; yaḥ: he who; vetti: he knows; tattvataḥ: truth; tyaktvā: having given up; deham: body; punarjanma: rebirth; na-eti: not + he attains; mām-eti: unto me + he attains; saḥ-arjuna: he + O Arjuna

“One who knows the truth of my divine birth and activity is not reborn, O Arjuna.  Having given up their body, they attain me.”

Śloka 4.10

वीतरागभयक्रोधा
vītarāgabhayakrodhā
मन्मया मामुपाश्रिताः ।
manmayā māmupāśritāḥ |
बहवो ज्ञानतपसा
bahavo jñānatapasā
पूता मद्भावमागताः ॥ १० ॥
pūtā madbhāvamāgatāḥ ‖ 10 ‖

~~~

vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhāḥ: free from + attachment + fear + anger; mat-mayāḥ: me + absorbed in; mām-upāśritāḥ: me + taking refuge in; bahavaḥ: many; jñāna-tapasā: knowledge + by fire; pūtāḥ: purified; mat-bhāvam-āgatāḥ: my + state + attained

“Free from attachment, fear, and anger, absorbed in me, taking refuge in me, and purified by the fire of knowledge, many have attained my [Supreme] State.”

Śloka 4.11

ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते
ye yathā māṃ prapadyante
तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम् ।
tāṃstathaiva bhajāmyaham |
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते
mama vartmānuvartante
मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥ ११ ॥
manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ ‖ 11 ‖

~~~

ye: those who; yathā: as; mām: me; prapadyante: they seek; tāṃs-tathā-eva: them + so + in the same manner; bhajāmi-aham: I reward + I; mama: my; vartma-anuvartante: path + they follow; manuṣyāḥ: people; pārtha: O Son of Pṛthā; sarvaśaḥ: in every way

“Just as one seeks me, so I reward them in the same manner, O Son of Pṛthā.  People follow my path in every way.”

Śloka 4.12

काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं
kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṃ siddhiṃ
यजन्त इह देवताः ।
yajanta iha devatāḥ |
क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके
kṣipraṃ hi mānuṣe loke
सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ॥ १२ ॥
siddhirbhavati karmajā ‖ 12 ‖

~~~

kāṅkṣantaḥ: seeking; karmaṇām: of (through) rituals; siddhim: success; yajante: they worship; iha: in this world; devatāḥ: gods; kṣipram: quickly; hi: for; mānuṣe: in (of) men; loke: in the world; siddhiḥ-bhavati: success + it comes; karmajā: born of action

“Those seeking success in this world worship the gods through rituals.  For success born of action comes quickly in the world of men.”

Śloka 4.13

चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं
cāturvarṇyaṃ mayā sṛṣṭaṃ
गुणकर्मविभागशः ।
guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ |
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां
tasya kartāramapi māṃ
विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् ॥ १३ ॥
viddhyakartāramavyayam ‖ 13 ‖

~~~

cāturvarṇyam: four castes; mayā: by me; sṛṣṭam: created; guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ: qualities + activity + according to; tasya: its; kartāram-api: creator + although; mām: me; viddhi-akartāram-avyayam: you should know + non-doer + eternal

“The four castes were created by me according to the activity of the qualities.  Although I am their creator, know me to be the eternal non-doer.”

Śloka 4.14

न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति
na māṃ karmāṇi limpanti
न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा ।
na me karmaphale spṛhā |
इति मां योऽभिजानाति
iti māṃ yo’bhijānāti
कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते ॥ १४ ॥
karmabhirna sa badhyate ‖ 14 ‖

~~~

na: not; mām: me; karmāṇi: actions; limpanti: they taint; na: not; me: for me; karmaphale: in fruit of action; spṛhā: desire; iti: thus; mām: me; yaḥ-abhijānāti: he who + he knows; karmabhiḥ-na: by action + not; saḥ: he; badhyate: he is bound

“Actions do not taint me, nor do I desire their fruit.  Whoever knows me thus is not bound by action.”

Śloka 4.15

एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म
evaṃ jñātvā kṛtaṃ karma
पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः ।
pūrvairapi mumukṣubhiḥ |
कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं
kuru karmaiva tasmāttvaṃ
पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम् ॥ १५ ॥
pūrvaiḥ pūrvataraṃ kṛtam ‖ 15 ‖

~~~

evam: thus; jñātvā: having known; kṛtam: performed; karma: action; pūrvaiḥ-api: by the ancients + even; mumukṣubhiḥ: by seekers of liberation; kuru: you should perform; karma-eva: action + in this way; tasmāt-tvam: therefore + you; pūrvaiḥ: by the ancients; pūrvataram: long ago; kṛtam: performed

“Having known this, action was performed even by the ancient seekers of liberation in this way.  Therefore, you should perform action as it was performed by the ancients long ago.”

Śloka 4.16

किं कर्म किमकर्मेति
kiṃ karma kimakarmeti
कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः ।
kavayo’pyatra mohitāḥ |
तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि
tatte karma pravakṣyāmi
यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ॥ १६ ॥
yajjñātvā mokṣyase’śubhāt ‖ 16 ‖

~~~

kim: what; karma: action; kim-akarma-iti: what + inaction + thus; kavayaḥ-api-atra: poets + even + in this matter; mohitāḥ: confused; tat-te: that + to you; karma: action; pravakṣyāmi: I will explain; yat-jñātvā: which + having known; mokṣyase-aśubhāt: you will be free + from sin

“What is action?  What is inaction?  Even the poets are confused in this matter.  Now I will teach you that action, having known which, you will be free from sin.”

Śloka 4.17

कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं
karmaṇo hyapi boddhavyaṃ
बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः ।
boddhavyaṃ ca vikarmaṇaḥ |
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं
akarmaṇaśca boddhavyaṃ
गहना कर्मणो गतिः ॥ १७ ॥
gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ ‖ 17 ‖

~~~

karmaṇaḥ: of action; hi-api: for + also; boddhavyam: to be understood; boddhavyam: to be understood; ca: and; vikarmaṇaḥ: of forbidden action; akarmaṇaḥ-ca: of inaction + and; boddhavyam: to be understood; gahanā: difficult to understand; karmaṇaḥ: of action; gatiḥ: path

“The path of action is difficult to understand, for one must understand what action is, what forbidden action is, and also what inaction is.”

Śloka 4.18

कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येद्-
karmaṇyakarma yaḥ paśyed-
अकर्मणि च कर्म यः ।
akarmaṇi ca karma yaḥ |
स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु
sa buddhimānmanuṣyeṣu
स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् ॥ १८ ॥
sa yuktaḥ kṛtsnakarmakṛt ‖ 18 ‖

~~~

karmaṇi-akarma: in action + inaction; yaḥ: he who; paśyet-akarmaṇi: he would see + in inaction; ca: and; karma: action; yaḥ: he who; saḥ: he; buddhimān-manuṣyeṣu: among intelligent + people; saḥ: he; yuktaḥ: fit; kṛtsna-karmakṛt: all + performing actions

“One who would see inaction in action and action in inaction is intelligent among people.  One who is steady is skillful in all actions.”

Śloka 4.19

यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः
yasya sarve samārambhāḥ
कामसंकल्पवर्जिताः ।
kāmasaṃkalpavarjitāḥ |
ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं
jñānāgnidagdhakarmāṇaṃ
तमाहुः पण्डितं बुधाः ॥ १९ ॥
tamāhuḥ paṇḍitaṃ budhāḥ ‖ 19 ‖

~~~

yasya: he whose; sarve: every; samārambhāḥ: endeavors; kāma-saṃkalpa-varjitāḥ: desire + intention + devoid; jñāna-agni-dagdha-karmāṇam: knowledge + fire + consumed + of actions; tam-āhuḥ: he + they call; paṇḍitam: learned; budhāḥ: the wise

“One whose every endeavor is devoid of intentional desire, whose actions are consumed by the fire of knowledge, the wise call learned.”

Śloka 4.20

त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं
tyaktvā karmaphalāsaṅgaṃ
नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः ।
nityatṛpto nirāśrayaḥ |
कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि
karmaṇyabhipravṛtto’pi
नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः ॥ २० ॥
naiva kiñcitkaroti saḥ ‖ 20 ‖

~~~

tyaktvā: having given up; karmaphala-asaṅgam: fruit of action + attachment; nitya-tṛptaḥ: ever + satisfied; nirāśrayaḥ: free from dependence; karmaṇi-abhipravṛttaḥ-api: in actions + engaged in + though; na-eva: not + still; kiñcit-karoti: anything + he does; saḥ: he

“Having given up attachment to the fruit of action, ever satisfied and free from dependence, one does nothing though still engaged in action.”

Śloka 4.21

निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा
nirāśīryatacittātmā
त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः ।
tyaktasarvaparigrahaḥ |
शारीरं केवलं कर्म
śārīraṃ kevalaṃ karma
कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ॥ २१ ॥
kurvannāpnoti kilbiṣam ‖ 21 ‖

~~~

nirāśīḥ-yata-citta-ātmā: without desire + controlled + mind + one; tyakta-sarva-parigrahaḥ: abandoned + all + possessions; śārīram: body; kevalam: only; karma: action; kurvan-āpnoti: performing + he incurs; kilbiṣam: sin

“One who is without desire, whose mind is controlled, whose possessiveness is abandoned, and who performs action only for the body never incurs sin.”

Śloka 4.22

यदृच्छालाभसंतुष्टो
yadṛcchālābhasaṃtuṣṭo
द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सरः ।
dvandvātīto vimatsaraḥ |
समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च
samaḥ siddhāvasiddhau ca
कृत्वापि न निबध्यते ॥ २२ ॥
kṛtvāpi na nibadhyate ‖ 22 ‖

~~~

yadṛcchā-lābha-saṃtuṣṭaḥ: unsolicited + gain + satisfied; dvandvātītaḥ: transcended the pairs of opposites; vimatsaraḥ: free from envy; samaḥ: same; siddhāu-asiddhau: in success + in failure; ca: and; kṛtvā-api: having acted + despite; na: not; nibadhyate: he is bound

“One who is satisfied with unsolicited gain, who has transcended the pairs of opposites, who is free from envy, and who is the same in success and failure, is never bound despite having acted.”

Śloka 4.23

गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य
gatasaṅgasya muktasya
ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः ।
jñānāvasthitacetasaḥ |
यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म
yajñāyācarataḥ karma
समग्रं प्रविलीयते ॥ २३ ॥
samagraṃ pravilīyate ‖ 23 ‖

~~~

gata-saṅgasya: gone + of attachment; muktasya: of liberated; jñāna-avasthita-cetasaḥ: knowledge + established in + mind; yajñāya-ācarataḥ: for (as) sacrifice + done; karma: action; samagram: completely; pravilīyate: it dissolves

“For one who is liberated, whose attachment is gone, and whose mind is established in knowledge, action done as sacrifice completely dissolves.”

Śloka 4.24

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्-
brahmārpaṇaṃ brahma havir-
ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् ।
brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam |
ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं
brahmaiva tena gantavyaṃ
ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना ॥ २४ ॥
brahmakarmasamādhinā ‖ 24 ‖

~~~

brahma-arpaṇam: Brahman + ladle; brahma: Brahman; haviḥ-brahma-agnau: oblation + Brahman + into the fire; brahmaṇā: by Brahman; hutam: offered; brahma-eva: Brahman + in this way; tena: by him; gantavyam: attainable; brahma-karma-samādhinā: Brahman + action + by contemplation

“The ladle is Brahman, the oblation is Brahman, it is offered by Brahman, into the fire of Brahman.  Brahman is attainable by one who contemplates action in this way.”

Śloka 4.25

दैवमेवापरे यज्ञं
daivamevāpare yajñaṃ
योगिनः पर्युपासते ।
yoginaḥ paryupāsate |
ब्रह्माग्नावपरे यज्ञं
brahmāgnāvapare yajñaṃ
यज्ञेनैवोपजुह्वति ॥ २५ ॥
yajñenaivopajuhvati ‖ 25 ‖

~~~

daivam-eva-apare: gods + thus + some; yajñam: sacrifice; yoginaḥ: yogīs; paryupāsate: they offer; brahma-agnau-apare: Brahman + into the fire + others; yajñam: sacrifice; yajñena-eva-upajuhvati: by sacrifice + thus + they offer

“Some yogīs offer the sacrifice to the gods.  Others offer the sacrifice directly into the fire of Brahman.”

Śloka 4.26

श्रोत्रादीनीन्द्रियाण्यन्ये
śrotrādīnīndriyāṇyanye
संयमाग्निषु जुह्वति ।
saṃyamāgniṣu juhvati |
शब्दादीन्विषयानन्य
śabdādīnviṣayānanya
इन्द्रियाग्निषु जुह्वति ॥ २६ ॥
indriyāgniṣu juhvati ‖ 26 ‖

~~~

śrotra-ādīni-indriyāṇi-anye: hearing + beginning with + senses + some; saṃyama-agniṣu: restraint + in the fires; juhvati: they offer; śabda-ādīn-viṣayān-anye: sound + beginning with + sense objects + others; indriya-agniṣu: sense + in the fires; juhvati: they offer

“Some offer the senses beginning with hearing in the fire of restraint.  Others offer the sense objects beginning with sound in the fire of the senses.”

Śloka 4.27

सर्वाणीन्द्रियकर्माणि
sarvāṇīndriyakarmāṇi
प्राणकर्माणि चापरे ।
prāṇakarmāṇi cāpare |
आत्मसंयमयोगाग्नौ
ātmasaṃyamayogāgnau
जुह्वति ज्ञानदीपिते ॥ २७ ॥
juhvati jñānadīpite ‖ 27 ‖

~~~

sarvāṇi-indriya-karmāṇi: all + senses + actions; prāṇa-karmāṇi: breath + actions; ca-apare: and + others; ātmasaṃyama-yoga-agnau: self-restraint + yoga + into the fire; juhvati: they offer; jñāna-dīpite: knowledge + in (by) kindled

“Some offer all the actions of the senses and the actions of the breath into the fire of yogic self-restraint, kindled by knowledge.”

Śloka 4.28

द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा
dravyayajñāstapoyajñā
योगयज्ञास्तथापरे ।
yogayajñāstathāpare |
स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च
svādhyāyajñānayajñāśca
यतयः संशितव्रताः ॥ २८ ॥
yatayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ ‖ 28 ‖

~~~

dravya-yajñāḥ-tapaḥ-yajñāḥ: possessions + sacrifices + austerity + sacrifices; yoga-yajñāḥ-tathā-apare: [karma]-yoga + sacrifices + thus + others; svādhyāya-jñāna-yajñāḥ-ca: self-study + knowledge + sacrifice + and; yatayaḥ: ascetics; saṃśita-vratāḥ: taken to + strict vows

“Some offer the sacrifice of possessions and of austerity.  Others offer the sacrifice of [karma]-yoga.  Ascetics bound by strict vows offer the sacrifice of self-study and knowledge.”

Śloka 4.29

अपाने जुह्वति प्राणं
apāne juhvati prāṇaṃ
प्राणेऽपानं तथापरे ।
prāṇe’pānaṃ tathāpare |
प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा
prāṇāpānagatī ruddhvā
प्राणायामपरायणाः ॥ २९ ॥
prāṇāyāmaparāyaṇāḥ ‖ 29 ‖

~~~

apāne: to the downward exhalation; juhvati: they offer; prāṇam: to the upward inhalation; prāṇe-apānam: to the upward inhalation + downward exhalation; tathā-apare: thus + in some; prāṇa-apāna-gatī: upward inhalation + downward exhalation + procession; ruddhvā: having interrupted; prāṇāyāma-parāyaṇāḥ: energy extension + devoted to

“Some are devoted to energy extension.  Having interrupted the flow of the upward inhalation and the downward exhalation, they offer the upward inhalation to the downward exhalation and the downward exhalation to the upward inhalation.”

Śloka 4.30

अपरे नियताहाराः
apare niyatāhārāḥ
प्राणान्प्राणेषु जुह्वति ।
prāṇānprāṇeṣu juhvati |
सर्वेऽप्येते यज्ञविदो
sarve’pyete yajñavido
यज्ञक्षपितकल्मषाः ॥ ३० ॥
yajñakṣapitakalmaṣāḥ ‖ 30 ‖

~~~

apare: others; niyata-āhārāḥ: controlled + food intake; prāṇān-prāṇeṣu: energies + into the energies; juhvati: they offer; sarve-api-ete: all + moreover + in these; yajña-vidaḥ: sacrifice + knower; yajña-kṣapita-kalmaṣāḥ: sacrifice + cleansed + sins

“Some, having controlled food intake, offer its energies into their energies.  Moreover, all these knowers of sacrifice are cleansed of sin.”

Śloka 4.31

यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो
yajñaśiṣṭāmṛtabhujo
यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम् ।
yānti brahma sanātanam |
नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य
nāyaṃ loko’styayajñasya
कुतोऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम ॥ ३१ ॥
kuto’nyaḥ kurusattama ‖ 31 ‖

~~~

yajña-śiṣṭa-amṛta-bhujaḥ: sacrifice + remnants + consecrated + consuming; yānti: they go to; brahma: Brahman; sanātanam: eternal; na-ayam: not + this; lokaḥ-asti-ayajñasya: world + existence + for one without sacrifice; kutaḥ-anyaḥ: where + next; kurusattama: O Best of the Kurus

“Those who consume the consecrated remnants of sacrifice go to the eternal Brahman.  One cannot exist in this world without sacrifice, O Best of the Kurus, much less the next.”

Śloka 4.32

एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा
evaṃ bahuvidhā yajñā
वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे ।
vitatā brahmaṇo mukhe |
कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वान्-
karmajānviddhi tānsarvān-
एवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे ॥ ३२ ॥
evaṃ jñātvā vimokṣyase ‖ 32 ‖

~~~

evam: thus; bahuvidhā: various kinds; yajñā: sacrifice; vitatā: disseminated; brahmaṇaḥ: from (by) priests; mukhe: in (through) mouth; karmajān-viddhi: born of action + you should know; tān-sarvān-evam: them + all + thus; jñātvā: having known; vimokṣyase: you will be free

“Thus, various kinds of sacrifice are disseminated by priests through word of mouth.  Know them all to be born of action.  Having known this, you will be free.”

Śloka 4.33

श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्-
śreyāndravyamayādyajñāj-
ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप ।
jñānayajñaḥ parantapa |
सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ
sarvaṃ karmākhilaṃ pārtha
ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते ॥ ३३ ॥
jñāne parisamāpyate ‖ 33 ‖

~~~

śreyān-dravyamayāt-yajñāt-jñāna-yajñaḥ: greater + than composed of matter + than sacrifice + knowledge + sacrifice; parantapa: O Scorcher of Foes; sarvam: all; karma-akhilam: action + without exception; pārtha: O Son of Pṛthā; jñāne: in knowledge; parisamāpyate: it culminates

“The sacrifice of knowledge is greater than material sacrifice, O Scorcher of Foes.  All actions without exception culminate in knowledge, O Son of Pṛthā.”

Śloka 4.34

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन
tadviddhi praṇipātena
परिप्रश्नेन सेवया ।
paripraśnena sevayā |
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṃ
ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥ ३४ ॥
jñāninastattvadarśinaḥ ‖ 34 ‖

~~~

tat-viddhi: that + you should learn; praṇipātena: by prostration; paripraśnena: by inquiry; sevayā: by service; upadekṣyanti: they will impart; te: to you; jñānam: knowledge; jñāninaḥ-tattva-darśinaḥ: wise + truth + seers

“Learn that knowledge by prostration, inquiry, and service.  Thus, the wise seers of truth will impart the knowledge to you.”

Śloka 4.35

यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहम्-
yajjñātvā na punarmoham-
एवं यास्यसि पाण्डव ।
evaṃ yāsyasi pāṇḍava |
येन भूतान्यशेषाणि
yena bhūtānyaśeṣāṇi
द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मन्यथो मयि ॥ ३५ ॥
drakṣyasyātmanyatho mayi ‖ 35 ‖

~~~

yat-jñātvā: which + having known; na: never; punaḥ-moham-evam: again + delusion + in this way; yāsyasi: you will undergo; pāṇḍava: O Son of Pāṇḍu; yena: by which; bhūtāni-aśeṣāṇi: living beings + all; drakṣyasi-ātmani-athaḥ: you will see + in yourself + moreover; mayi: in me

“Having known which, you will never again undergo delusion in this way, O Son of Pāṇḍu, and by which you will see all living beings, without exception, in yourself, and moreover in me.”

Śloka 4.36

अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः
api cedasi pāpebhyaḥ
सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः ।
sarvebhyaḥ pāpakṛttamaḥ |
सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव
sarvaṃ jñānaplavenaiva
वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि ॥ ३६ ॥
vṛjinaṃ santariṣyasi ‖ 36 ‖

~~~

api: even; cet-asi: if + you are; pāpebhyaḥ: from sins; sarvebhyaḥ: compared to all; pāpakṛt-tamaḥ: sinner + greatest; sarvam: all; jñāna-plavena-eva: knowledge + by boat + alone; vṛjinam: sin; santariṣyasi: you will cross

“Even if you are the worst of all sinners, you will cross over the ocean of sin by the boat of knowledge alone.”

Śloka 4.37

यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्-
yathaidhāṃsi samiddho’gnir-
भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन ।
bhasmasātkurute’rjuna |
ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि
jñānāgniḥ sarvakarmāṇi
भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा ॥ ३७ ॥
bhasmasātkurute tathā ‖ 37 ‖

~~~

yathā-edhāṃsi: just as + wood; samiddhaḥ-agniḥ-bhasmasāt-kurute-arjuna: blazing + fire + ashes + it turns + O Arjuna; jñāna-agniḥ: knowledge + fire; sarva-karmāṇi: all + actions; bhasmasāt-kurute: to ashes + it turns; tathā: so

“Just as a blazing fire turns wood to ashes, O Arjuna, so the fire of knowledge turns all actions to ashes.”

Śloka 4.38

न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं
na hi jñānena sadṛśaṃ
पवित्रमिह विद्यते ।
pavitramiha vidyate |
तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः
tatsvayaṃ yogasaṃsiddhaḥ
कालेनात्मनि विन्दति ॥ ३८ ॥
kālenātmani vindati ‖ 38 ‖

~~~

na: nothing; hi: certainly; jñānena: by (as) knowledge; sadṛśam: compared to; pavitram-iha: purifying + in this world; vidyate: there is; tat-svayam: that + oneself; yoga-saṃsiddhaḥ: [karma]-yoga + accomplished; kālena-ātmani: eventually + in themselves; vindati: he finds

“There is nothing in this world as purifying as knowledge.  One who is accomplished in [karma]-yoga finds it in themselves eventually.”

Śloka 4.39

श्रद्धावालँलभते ज्ञानं
śraddhāvāḷlabhate jñānaṃ
तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः ।
tatparaḥ saṃyatendriyaḥ |
ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिम्-
jñānaṃ labdhvā parāṃ śāntim-
अचिरेणाधिगच्छति ॥ ३९ ॥
acireṇādhigacchati ‖ 39 ‖

~~~

śraddhāvān-labhate: person of faith + he attains; jñānam: knowledge; tatparaḥ: devoted; saṃyata-indriyaḥ: restrained + sense; jñānam: knowledge; labdhvā: having attained; parām: supreme; śāntim-acireṇa-adhigacchati: peace + immediately + he attains

“A person of faith whose senses are restrained and who is devoted to that knowledge, attains it immediately.  Having attained it, they attain supreme peace.”

Śloka 4.40

अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च
ajñaścāśraddadhānaśca
संशयात्मा विनश्यति ।
saṃśayātmā vinaśyati |
नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो
nāyaṃ loko’sti na paro
न सुखं संशयात्मनः ॥ ४० ॥
na sukhaṃ saṃśayātmanaḥ ‖ 40 ‖

~~~

ajñaḥ-ca-śraddadhānaḥ-ca: ignorant + and + faithless + and; saṃśayātmā: doubting person; vinaśyati: he is lost; na-ayam: neither + this; lokaḥ-asti: world + there is; na: nor; paraḥ: next; na: nor; sukham: happiness; saṃśayātmanaḥ: for a doubting person

“But an ignorant, faithless, doubting person is utterly lost.  For a doubting person, there is neither happiness in this world nor in the next.”

Śloka 4.41

योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं
yogasaṃnyastakarmāṇaṃ
ज्ञानसञ्छिन्नसंशयम् ।
jñānasañchinnasaṃśayam |
आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि
ātmavantaṃ na karmāṇi
निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय ॥ ४१ ॥
nibadhnanti dhanañjaya ‖ 41 ‖

~~~

yoga-saṃnyasta-karmāṇam: [karma]-yoga + renounced + [the fruit] of actions; jñāna-sañchinna-saṃśayam: knowledge + destroyed + doubt; ātmavantam: self-possessed; na: not; karmāṇi: actions; nibadhnanti: they bind; dhanañjaya: O Conqueror of Wealth

“One who has renounced [the fruit] of actions through [karma]-yoga, whose doubt has been destroyed through knowledge, and who is self-possessed, O Conqueror of Wealth, is not bound by action.”

Śloka 4.42

तस्मादज्ञानसम्भूतं
tasmādajñānasambhūtaṃ
हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनात्मनः ।
hṛtsthaṃ jñānāsinātmanaḥ |
छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगम्-
chittvainaṃ saṃśayaṃ yogam-
आतिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत ॥ ४२ ॥
ātiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhārata ‖ 42 ‖

~~~

tasmāt-ajñāna-sambhūtam: therefore + ignorance + born of; hṛtstham: seated in the heart; jñāna-asinā-ātmanaḥ: knowledge + by the sword + one’s own; chittvā-enam: having cut away + this; saṃśayam: doubt; yogam-ātiṣṭha-uttiṣṭha: [karma]-yoga + you should stand firmly + you should arise; bhārata: O Descendant of Bharata

“Therefore, having cut away this ignorant doubt seated in your own heart with the sword of knowledge, stand firmly in [karma]-yoga, O Descendant of Bharata, and arise!”