BHAGAVADGEETA CHAPTER 4

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 VERSE 1

श्रीभगवानुवाच | इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम् | विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् || 1||

śhrī bhagavān uvācha imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam vivasvān manave prāha manur ikṣhvākave ’bravīt

The All-Powerful Lord Shree Krishna declared: "I taught the Sun God, Vivasvan, the eternal science of Yog. He then taught Manu, who taught it to Ikshvaku."

 VERSE 2

एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदु: | स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्ट: परन्तप || 2||

evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣhayo viduḥ sa kāleneha mahatā yogo naṣhṭaḥ parantapa

Thus this study of Yog was passed down through the ages to the saintly monarchs, O subduer of enemies. However, it was lost to the world due to the passage of time.

 VERSE 3

स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योग: प्रोक्त: पुरातन: | भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् || 3||

sa evāyaṁ mayā te ’dya yogaḥ proktaḥ purātanaḥ bhakto ’si me sakhā cheti rahasyaṁ hyetad uttamam

I am disclosing to you today the same old knowledge of Yog, which is the ultimate secret, since you are both My friend and My disciple, and you are able to comprehend this transcendental understanding.

 VERSE 4

अर्जुन उवाच | अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वत: | कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति || 4||

arjuna uvācha aparaṁ bhavato janma paraṁ janma vivasvataḥ katham etad vijānīyāṁ tvam ādau proktavān iti

You were born a long time after Vivasvan, Arjun remarked. How am I supposed to comprehend that You taught him this science at first?

 VERSE 5

श्रीभगवानुवाच | बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन | तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप || 5||

śhrī bhagavān uvācha bahūni me vyatītāni janmāni tava chārjuna tānyahaṁ veda sarvāṇi na tvaṁ vettha parantapa

"You and I have both had many births, O Arjun," declared the Supreme Lord. I remember them all, O Parantapa, but you have forgotten them.

 VERSE 6

अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् | प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया || 6||

ajo ’pi sannavyayātmā bhūtānām īśhvaro ’pi san prakṛitiṁ svām adhiṣhṭhāya sambhavāmyātma-māyayā

Even though I am unborn, the Lord of all living things, and I am eternal, Yogmaya, My divine power, is how I manifest in this world.

 VERSE 7

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत | अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् || 7||

yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛijāmyaham

O Arjun, I become visible on earth whenever there is a decrease in righteousness and a rise in unrighteousness.

 VERSE 8

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् | धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे || 8||

paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśhāya cha duṣhkṛitām dharma-sansthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge

I appear on this globe, the generation after age, to defend the virtuous, to destroy the evil, and to restore the principles of dharma.

 VERSE 9

जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वत: | त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन || 9||

janma karma cha me divyam evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti so ’rjuna

O Arjun, those who understood the divine essence of My birth and actions do not need to reincarnate after departing this life; instead, they can enter My eternal abode.

 VERSE 10

वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिता: | बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागता: || 10||

vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhā man-mayā mām upāśhritāḥ bahavo jñāna-tapasā pūtā mad-bhāvam āgatāḥ

Many people in the past were purified by knowledge of Me and therefore obtained My divine love, being free from attachment, fear, and wrath, becoming entirely absorbed in Me, and seeking refuge in Me.

 VERSE 11

ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम् | मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्या: पार्थ सर्वश: || 11||

ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāns tathaiva bhajāmyaham mama vartmānuvartante manuṣhyāḥ pārtha sarvaśhaḥ

I give back to people in the same manner that they give themselves to Me. O son of Pritha, everyone walks in My footsteps, whether they realize it or not.

 VERSE 12

काङ् क्षन्त: कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवता: | क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा || 12||

kāṅkṣhantaḥ karmaṇāṁ siddhiṁ yajanta iha devatāḥ kṣhipraṁ hi mānuṣhe loke siddhir bhavati karmajā

Because monetary gains materialize fast in this world, people who aspire to success in worldly pursuits worship the celestial gods.

 VERSE 13

चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागश: | तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् || 13||

chātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛiṣhṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśhaḥ tasya kartāram api māṁ viddhyakartāram avyayam

I developed the four occupational groups based on the characteristics and pursuits of individuals. Know that even though I created this system, I am the Eternal Non-doer.

 VERSE 14

न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा | इति मां योऽभिजानाति कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते || 14||

na māṁ karmāṇi limpanti na me karma-phale spṛihā iti māṁ yo ’bhijānāti karmabhir na sa badhyate

I am not tainted by activities, and I have no desire for the results of activity. When one understands Me this way, they are never constrained by the karmic outcomes of their work.

 VERSE 15

एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभि: | कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वै: पूर्वतरं कृतम् || 15||

evaṁ jñātvā kṛitaṁ karma pūrvair api mumukṣhubhiḥ kuru karmaiva tasmāttvaṁ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataraṁ kṛitam

Even in ancient times, those who sought the liberation took action knowing this fact. As a result, you too ought to carry out your responsibilities, just like those old wise men did.

 VERSE 16

किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिता: | तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् || 16||

kiṁ karma kim akarmeti kavayo ’pyatra mohitāḥ tat te karma pravakṣhyāmi yaj jñātvā mokṣhyase ’śhubhāt

What distinguishes action from inaction? Even the wise are at a loss as to how to decide this. I will now reveal to you the secret of action, which will enable you to break free from material captivity.

 VERSE 17

कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मण: | अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गति: || 17||

karmaṇo hyapi boddhavyaṁ boddhavyaṁ cha vikarmaṇaḥ akarmaṇaśh cha boddhavyaṁ gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ

It is essential that you understand the essence of the three: advised action, incorrect action, and inaction. The truth regarding these is complex and challenging to comprehend.

 VERSE 18

कर्मण्यकर्म य: पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म य: | स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्त: कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् || 18||

karmaṇyakarma yaḥ paśhyed akarmaṇi cha karma yaḥ sa buddhimān manuṣhyeṣhu sa yuktaḥ kṛitsna-karma-kṛit

The wisest people are those who perceive both action and inaction equally. They are yogis and masters of all they do, despite engaging in a wide range of activities.

 VERSE 19

यस्य सर्वे समारम्भा: कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिता: | ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहु: पण्डितं बुधा: || 19||

yasya sarve samārambhāḥ kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ jñānāgni-dagdha-karmāṇaṁ tam āhuḥ paṇḍitaṁ budhāḥ

The wise are individuals who burnt their work's reactions in the furnace of heavenly knowledge and whose activities are devoid of any desire for worldly pleasures, according to the enlightened sages.

 VERSE 20

त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रय: | कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति स: || 20||

tyaktvā karma-phalāsaṅgaṁ nitya-tṛipto nirāśhrayaḥ karmaṇyabhipravṛitto ’pi naiva kiñchit karoti saḥ

These people are never unhappy and are not dependent on anything outside of themselves since they have given up attachment to the results of their deeds. They participate in activities, yet they take no action at all.

 VERSE 21

निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रह: | शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् || 21||

nirāśhīr yata-chittātmā tyakta-sarva-parigrahaḥ śhārīraṁ kevalaṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣham

They carry out actions with their body, but since they are not bound by expectations or a sense of ownership and have complete control over their mind and intellect, they do not commit sin.

 VERSE 22

यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टो द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सर: | सम: सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापि न निबध्यते || 22||

yadṛichchhā-lābha-santuṣhṭo dvandvātīto vimatsaraḥ samaḥ siddhāvasiddhau cha kṛitvāpi na nibadhyate

They are beyond the dualities of life, content with whatever gain comes of its own accord and free from jealousy. They are unconstrained by their deeds, even when engaging in a variety of occupations, as they are equal in both success and failure.

 VERSE 23

गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतस: | यज्ञायाचरत: कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते || 23||

gata-saṅgasya muktasya jñānāvasthita-chetasaḥ yajñāyācharataḥ karma samagraṁ pravilīyate

They are set free from the bindings of worldly attachments, and their minds are fixed in the wisdom of God. They are liberated from all karmic repercussions because they carry out every action as a sacrifice (to God).

 VERSE 24

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् | ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना || 24||

brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam brahmaiva tena gantavyaṁ brahma-karma-samādhinā

For those who are totally engrossed in the contemplation of God, Brahman is the sacrifice, Brahman is the ladle used to present it, Brahman is the act of offering, and Brahman is the sacrificial fire. Such people easily reach God because they see everything as God.

 VERSE 25

दैवमेवापरे यज्ञं योगिन: पर्युपासते | ब्रह्माग्नावपरे यज्ञं यज्ञेनैवोपजुह्वति || 25||

daivam evāpare yajñaṁ yoginaḥ paryupāsate brahmāgnāvapare yajñaṁ yajñenaivopajuhvati

Some yogis offer material sacrifices to the celestial gods they revere. Others who offer themselves as a sacrifice in the Supreme Truth's fire are worshipped properly.

 VERSE 26

श्रोत्रादीनीन्द्रियाण्यन्ये संयमाग्निषु जुह्वति | शब्दादीन्विषयानन्य इन्द्रियाग्निषु जुह्वति || 26||

śhrotrādīnīndriyāṇyanye sanyamāgniṣhu juhvati śhabdādīn viṣhayānanya indriyāgniṣhu juhvati

In the sacrificial fire of constraint, others provide hearing and additional senses. Some others sacrifice sound and other sense objects in the fire of the senses.

 VERSE 27

सर्वाणीन्द्रियकर्माणि प्राणकर्माणि चापरे | आत्मसंयमयोगाग्नौ जुह्वति ज्ञानदीपिते || 27||

sarvāṇīndriya-karmāṇi prāṇa-karmāṇi chāpare ātma-sanyama-yogāgnau juhvati jñāna-dīpite

Some give their life force and all of their senses to the fire of the regulated mind, motivated by their knowledge.

 VERSE 28

द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे | स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतय: संशितव्रता: || 28||

dravya-yajñās tapo-yajñā yoga-yajñās tathāpare swādhyāya-jñāna-yajñāśh cha yatayaḥ sanśhita-vratāḥ

While some give severe austerities as a sacrifice, others offer their money. While some follow rigorous vows, others study the scriptures and nurture knowledge as a sacrifice. Still others follow the eight-fold path of yoga practices.

 VERSE 29

अपाने जुह्वति प्राणं प्राणेऽपानं तथापरे | प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणा: || 29|| अपरे नियताहारा: प्राणान्प्राणेषु जुह्वति | सर्वेऽप्येते यज्ञविदो यज्ञक्षपितकल्मषा: || 30||

apāne juhvati prāṇaṁ prāṇe ’pānaṁ tathāpare prāṇāpāna-gatī ruddhvā prāṇāyāma-parāyaṇāḥ apare niyatāhārāḥ prāṇān prāṇeṣhu juhvati sarve ’pyete yajña-vido yajña-kṣhapita-kalmaṣhāḥ

While some offer the incoming breath into the exiting breath, others still offer the outgoing breath in the incoming breath as a sacrifice. Some devote themselves entirely to the regulation of life force, practicing prāṇāyām and controlling their inhalations and exhalations. Others, however, limit their food intake and make the sacrifice of breathing life force. These kinds of deeds purify all these knowers of sacrifice of their impurities.

 VERSE 31

यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम् | नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतोऽन्य: कुरुसत्तम || 31||

yajña-śhiṣhṭāmṛita-bhujo yānti brahma sanātanam nāyaṁ loko ’styayajñasya kuto ’nyaḥ kuru-sattama

The path to the Absolute Truth is taken by those who understand the secret of sacrifice, practice it, and consume its surplus food, which resemble nectar. The greatest of the Kurus, those who do not make any sacrifices will not be happy in this life or the next.

 VERSE 32

एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे | कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे || 32||

evaṁ bahu-vidhā yajñā vitatā brahmaṇo mukhe karma-jān viddhi tān sarvān evaṁ jñātvā vimokṣhyase

The Vedas contain descriptions of each of these several types of sacrifice. Acknowledge them as products of diverse work kinds; this insight untangles the web of material captivity.

 VERSE 33

श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञ: परन्तप | सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते || 33||

śhreyān dravya-mayād yajñāj jñāna-yajñaḥ parantapa sarvaṁ karmākhilaṁ pārtha jñāne parisamāpyate

O conqueror of foes, knowledge-based sacrifice is always preferable than mechanical, material sacrifice. All of our sacrifices lead to knowledge, after all, O Parth.

 VERSE 34

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया | उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिन: || 34||

tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśhnena sevayā upadekṣhyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśhinaḥ

Seek guidance from a spiritual teacher to discover the Truth. Respectfully ask him questions and be of assistance to him. Because he has glimpsed the Truth, such an enlightened Saint has seen the truth.

 VERSE 35

यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव | येन भूतान्यशेषेण द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मन्यथो मयि || 35||

yaj jñātvā na punar moham evaṁ yāsyasi pāṇḍava yena bhūtānyaśheṣheṇa drakṣhyasyātmanyatho mayi

By walking this road and receiving enlightenment from a Guru, O Arjun, you shall be free from delusion. With that understanding, you will see that all living things are merely components of the Supreme and exist within of Me.

 VERSE 36

अपि चेदसि पापेभ्य: सर्वेभ्य: पापकृत्तम: | सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि || 36||

api ched asi pāpebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ pāpa-kṛit-tamaḥ sarvaṁ jñāna-plavenaiva vṛijinaṁ santariṣhyasi

If one seats themselves in the boat of divine understanding, even the most heinous of sinners can pass over this ocean of material life.

 VERSE 37

यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन | ज्ञानाग्नि: सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा || 37||

yathaidhānsi samiddho ’gnir bhasma-sāt kurute ’rjuna jñānāgniḥ sarva-karmāṇi bhasma-sāt kurute tathā

All reactions from material activities are burned to ashes by the fire of knowledge, just as a kindled fire converts wood to ashes, O Arjun.

 VERSE 38

न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते | तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्ध: कालेनात्मनि विन्दति || 38||

na hi jñānena sadṛiśhaṁ pavitramiha vidyate tatsvayaṁ yogasansiddhaḥ kālenātmani vindati

Nothing is more purifying in this world than divine understanding. A person who has practiced Yog for a long time and achieved mental purity eventually gains this understanding within their hearts.

 VERSE 39

श्रद्धावान् लभते ज्ञानं तत्पर: संयतेन्द्रिय: | ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति || 39||

śhraddhāvānllabhate jñānaṁ tat-paraḥ sanyatendriyaḥ jñānaṁ labdhvā parāṁ śhāntim achireṇādhigachchhati

Deeply religious people who have trained to mastermind and feel control are able to access divine information. They swiftly achieve ultimate peace that lasts forever through such transcendental knowledge.

 VERSE 40

अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति | नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मन: || 40||

ajñaśh chāśhraddadhānaśh cha sanśhayātmā vinaśhyati nāyaṁ loko ’sti na paro na sukhaṁ sanśhayātmanaḥ

However, those who are doubtful by nature and lack both faith and wisdom ultimately fail. Happiness does not exist in this world or the next for them.

 VERSE 41

योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसञ्छिन्नसंशयम् | आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय || 41||

yoga-sannyasta-karmāṇaṁ jñāna-sañchhinna-sanśhayam ātmavantaṁ na karmāṇi nibadhnanti dhanañjaya

O Arjun, actions shall not bind those who have renounced karma in the fire of Yog, whose doubts have been dispelled by wisdom, and who are situated in knowledge of the self.

 VERSE 42

तस्मादज्ञानसम्भूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनात्मन: | छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत || 42||

tasmād ajñāna-sambhūtaṁ hṛit-sthaṁ jñānāsinātmanaḥ chhittvainaṁ sanśhayaṁ yogam ātiṣhṭhottiṣhṭha bhārata

Thus, cleave asunder the doubts that have surfaced in your heart with the sword of knowledge. Establish yourself in karm yog, O scion of Bharat. Get up, move, and act!