UtshovChapter 4
4.1
श्री भगवानुवाच
इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्।
विवस्वान् मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत्।।4.1।।
Shri bhagavanuvacha
Imam vivasvate yogam proktavanahamavyayam
Vivasvan manave praha manurikshvakavebravit
Simple meaning, written by AIThe Supreme Lord said: I taught this eternal yoga to the sun‑god Vivasvan; Vivasvan told it to Manu, and Manu to Ikshvaku.
4.2
एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः।
स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप।।4.2।।
Evam paramparapraptamimam rajarshayo viduh
Sa kaleneha mahata yogo nashtah parantapa
Simple meaning, written by AIThus the royal sages received this yoga by tradition, but in this great age, O destroyer of enemies, the yoga has been lost.
4.3
स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः।
भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम्।।4.3।।
Sa evayam maya tedya yogah proktah puratanah
Bhaktosi me sakha cheti rahasyam hyetaduttamam
Simple meaning, written by AIThis same yoga I have just declared to you is ancient; you are my devotee and friend, and this is the highest secret.
4.4
अर्जुन उवाच
अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वतः।
कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति।।4.4।।
Arjuna uvacha
Aparam bhavato janma param janma vivasvatah
Kathametadvijaniyam tvamadau proktavaniti
Simple meaning, written by AIArjuna asks how Krishna can be beyond birth and yet have spoken before, and wonders how he can know that.
4.5
श्री भगवानुवाच
बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन।
तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप।।4.5।।
Shri bhagavanuvacha
Bahuni me vyatitani janmani tava charjuna
Tanyaham veda sarvani na tvam vettha parantapa
Simple meaning, written by AIKrishna says that He has passed many births, He knows all of them, but Arjuna does not know them.
4.6
अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन्।
प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय संभवाम्यात्ममायया।।4.6।।
Ajopi sannavyayatma bhutanamishvaropi san
Prakritim svamadhishthaya sambhavamyatmamayaya
Simple meaning, written by AIEven though He is unborn, ever‑existing and the Lord of all beings, He appears by His own will, taking on a material nature.
4.7
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदाऽऽत्मानं सृजाम्यहम्।।4.7।।
Yada yada hi dharmasya glanirbhavati bharata
Abhyutthanamadharmasya tadatmanam srijamyaham
Simple meaning, written by AIWhenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, He creates Himself again.
4.8
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्।
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय संभवामि युगे युगे।।4.8।।
Paritranaya sadhunam vinashaya cha dushkritam
Dharmasansthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge
Simple meaning, written by AIHe appears in every age to protect the good, destroy the wicked and re‑establish dharma.
4.9
जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः।
त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन।।4.9।।
Janma karma cha me divyamevam yo vetti tattvatah
Tyaktva deham punarjanma naiti mameti sorjuna
Simple meaning, written by AIOne who truly knows that my birth and actions are divine, and who understands this, after leaving the body does not take another birth but reaches me.
4.10
वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिताः।
बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागताः।।4.10।।
Vitaragabhayakrodha manmaya mamupashritah
Bahavo gyanatapasa puta madbhavamagatah
Simple meaning, written by AIThose who are free from desire, fear and anger, whose minds are devoted to me, and who are purified by great knowledge and austerities, attain my nature.
4.11
ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम्।
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः।।4.11।।
Ye yatha mam prapadyante tanstathaiva bhajamyaham
Mama vartmanuvartante manushyah partha sarvashah
Simple meaning, written by AIJust as people surrender to me in whatever way they choose, I likewise worship them; all humans follow my path, O Arjuna.
4.12
काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः।
क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा।।4.12।।
Kankshantah karmanam siddhim yajanta iha devatah
Kshipram hi manushe loke siddhirbhavati karmaja
Simple meaning, written by AIThe gods perform sacrifices here desiring success in their actions; for a human being, success quickly arises from one's own deeds.
4.13
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः।
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम्।।4.13।।
Chaturvarnyam maya srishtam gunakarmavibhagashah
Tasya kartaramapi mam viddhyakartaramavyayam
Simple meaning, written by AII created the four social classes based on qualities and work; even though there is a doer, know that I am the eternal, unchanged doer.
4.14
न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा।
इति मां योऽभिजानाति कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते।।4.14।।
Na mam karmani limpanti na me karmaphale spriha
Iti mam yobhijanati karmabhirna sa badhyate
Simple meaning, written by AIActions do not bind Me, nor do I desire their fruits. Whoever knows this about Me is not bound by any action.
4.15
एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः।
कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम्।।4.15।।
Evam gyatva kritam karma purvairapi mumukshubhih
Kuru karmaiva tasmattvam purvaih purvataram kritam
Simple meaning, written by AIHaving understood this, perform the duty just as the liberated ones before you have done; therefore, act, for the duty has already been performed by the ancestors.
4.16
किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः।
तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात्।।4.16।।
Kim karma kimakarmeti kavayopyatra mohitah
Tatte karma pravakshyami yajgyatva mokshyaseshubhat
Simple meaning, written by AIPoets are even confused here about what is action and what is non‑action. I will explain the true nature of action, and knowing it you will be freed from evil.
4.17
कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः।
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः।।4.17।।
Karmano hyapi boddhavyam boddhavyam cha vikarmanah
Akarmanashcha boddhavyam gahana karmano gatih
Simple meaning, written by AIOne must understand action, understand non‑action, and also understand the deep result of inaction; the true nature of action must be known.
4.18
कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः।
स बुद्धिमान् मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत्।।4.18।।
Karmanyakarma yah pashyedakarmani cha karma yah
Sa buddhiman manushyeshu sa yuktah kritsnakarmakrit
Simple meaning, written by AIHe who sees action in inaction and inaction in action is the wise among men and is united with all actions.
4.19
यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिताः।
ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहुः पण्डितं बुधाः।।4.19।।
Yasya sarve samarambhah kamasankalpavarjitah
Gyanagnidagdhakarmanam tamahuh panditam budhah
Simple meaning, written by AIA person whose every undertaking is free from desire and intention, whose actions are consumed by the fire of knowledge, is called a wise one by the scholars.
4.20
त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः।
कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः।।4.20।।
Tyaktva karmaphalasangam nityatripto nirashrayah
Karmanyabhipravrittopi naiva kinchitkaroti sah
Simple meaning, written by AIOne who has relinquished attachment to the fruits of action, remains ever content and unattached, and even while engaged in work truly does nothing.
4.21
निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः।
शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम्।।4.21।।
Nirashiryatachittatma tyaktasarvaparigrahah
Shariram kevalam karma kurvannapnoti kilbisham
Simple meaning, written by AIThe soul whose mind is free from anxiety, who has renounced all possessions, and whose only activity is bodily work, does not acquire any sin.
4.22
यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टो द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सरः।
समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापि न निबध्यते।।4.22।।
Yadrichchhalabhasantushto dvandvatito vimatsarah
Samah siddhavasiddhau cha kritvapi na nibadhyate
Simple meaning, written by AIHe who is content with whatever he gains unintentionally, beyond all dualities, free from hostility, and remains equal in success and failure, is not bound by his actions.
4.23
गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः।
यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते।।4.23।।
Gatasangasya muktasya gyanavasthitachetasah
Yagyayacharatah karma samagram praviliyate
Simple meaning, written by AIThe mind of a person who is free from past attachments and whose consciousness is rooted in knowledge, when he performs sacrifice, his entire action is annihilated.
4.24
ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्महविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्।
ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना।।4.24।।
Brahmarpanam brahmahavirbrahmagnau brahmana hutam
Brahmaiva tena gantavyam brahmakarmasamadhina
Simple meaning, written by AIThe offering, the oblation, and the fire are all Brahman, and the one who offers into them is absorbed in Brahman. A person absorbed in this way of acting reaches Brahman.
4.25
दैवमेवापरे यज्ञं योगिनः पर्युपासते।
ब्रह्माग्नावपरे यज्ञं यज्ञेनैवोपजुह्वति।।4.25।।
Daivamevapare yagyam yoginah paryupasate
Brahmagnavapare yagyam yagyenaivopajuhvati
Simple meaning, written by AISome yogis worship only the sacrifice offered to the gods. Others offer the sacrifice itself into the fire of Brahman, through sacrifice.
4.26
श्रोत्रादीनीन्द्रियाण्यन्ये संयमाग्निषु जुह्वति।
शब्दादीन्विषयानन्य इन्द्रियाग्निषु जुह्वति।।4.26।।
Shrotradinindriyanyanye sanyamagnishu juhvati
Shabdadinvishayananya indriyagnishu juhvati
Simple meaning, written by AISome offer the hearing and the other senses into the fires of self-restraint. Others offer sense objects such as sound into the fires of the senses.
4.27
सर्वाणीन्द्रियकर्माणि प्राणकर्माणि चापरे।
आत्मसंयमयोगाग्नौ जुह्वति ज्ञानदीपिते।।4.27।।
Sarvanindriyakarmani pranakarmani chapare
Atmasanyamayogagnau juhvati gyanadipite
Simple meaning, written by AIOthers offer all the actions of the senses and the actions of the vital breath into the fire of the yoga of self-control, kindled by knowledge.
4.28
द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे।
स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः।।4.28।।
Dravyayagyastapoyagya yogayagyastathapare
Svadhyayagyanayagyashcha yatayah sanshitavratah
Simple meaning, written by AISome offer material things as sacrifice, some offer austerity, and others offer yoga. Ascetics of firm vows offer the study of scripture and the sacrifice of knowledge.
4.29
अपाने जुह्वति प्राण प्राणेऽपानं तथाऽपरे।
प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणाः।।4.29।।
Apane juhvati prana pranepanam tathapare
Pranapanagati ruddhva pranayamaparayanah
Simple meaning, written by AIOne offers his breath to another and receives the breath back; by stopping this exchange of breath they become devoted to pranayama.
4.30
अपरे नियताहाराः प्राणान्प्राणेषु जुह्वति।
सर्वेऽप्येते यज्ञविदो यज्ञक्षपितकल्मषाः।।4.30।।
Apare niyataharah prananpraneshu juhvati
Sarvepyete yagyavido yagyakshapitakalmashah
Simple meaning, written by AIWhen one gives his prescribed food to others, he offers his life‑breath; all who understand sacrifice become free from sin through that sacrifice.
4.31
यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम्।
नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतो़ऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम।।4.31।।
Yagyashishtamritabhujo yanti brahma sanatanam
Nayam lokostyayagyasya kutonyah kurusattama
Simple meaning, written by AIThose who partake of the remaining sacrificial nectar attain the eternal Brahman; there is no other world besides the world of sacrifice, O supreme Kuru.
4.32
एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे।
कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे।।4.32।।
Evam bahuvidha yagya vitata brahmano mukhe
Karmajanviddhi tansarvanevam gyatva vimokshyase
Simple meaning, written by AIVarious kinds of sacrifices are offered at Brahman's mouth; know them as actions and, by this knowledge, you will attain liberation.
4.33
श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप।
सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते।।4.33।।
Shreyandravyamayadyagyajgyanayagyah parantapa
Sarvam karmakhilam partha gyane parisamapyate
Simple meaning, written by AIThe sacrifice of knowledge is superior to material sacrifice, O Partha; by knowledge all deeds are concluded.
4.34
तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया।
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः।।4.34।।
Tadviddhi pranipatena pariprashnena sevaya
Upadekshyanti te gyanam gyaninastattvadarshinah
Simple meaning, written by AIKnow that by prostration, by questioning, and by service, the wise seers of truth will teach you that knowledge.
4.35
यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव।
येन भूतान्यशेषेण द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मन्यथो मयि।।4.35।।
Yajgyatva na punarmohamevam yasyasi pandava
Yena bhutanyasheshena drakshyasyatmanyatho mayi
Simple meaning, written by AIHaving known that, Pandava, you will not fall into delusion like this again. By it you will see all beings in yourself, and then in me.
4.36
अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः।
सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि।।4.36।।
Api chedasi papebhyah sarvebhyah papakrittamah
Sarvam gyanaplavenaiva vrijinam santarishyasi
Simple meaning, written by AIEven if you are the greatest of all sinners, you will cross over all your sins by the raft of knowledge alone.
4.37
यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन।
ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा।।4.37।।
Yathaidhansi samiddhognirbhasmasatkuruterjuna
Gyanagnih sarvakarmani bhasmasatkurute tatha
Simple meaning, written by AIAs a kindled fire reduces firewood to ashes, Arjuna, so the fire of knowledge reduces all actions to ashes.
4.38
न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते।
तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति।।4.38।।
Na hi gyanena sadrisham pavitramiha vidyate
Tatsvayam yogasansiddhah kalenatmani vindati
Simple meaning, written by AIIn this world there is nothing as purifying as knowledge. One who is perfected in yoga finds it in oneself in due time.
4.39
श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः।
ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति।।4.39।।
Shraddhavanllabhate gyanam tatparah sanyatendriyah
Gyanam labdhva param shantimachirenadhigachchhati
Simple meaning, written by AIA person who has faith, is devoted, and keeps the senses under control gains knowledge. Having gained knowledge, he quickly reaches supreme peace.
4.40
अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति।
नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः।।4.40।।
Agyashchashraddadhanashcha sanshayatma vinashyati
Nayam lokosti na paro na sukham sanshayatmanah
Simple meaning, written by AIThe ignorant, the faithless, and the doubting person perishes. For the person full of doubt there is neither this world, nor the next, nor happiness.
4.41
योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसंछिन्नसंशयम्।
आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय।।4.41।।
Yogasannyastakarmanam gyanasanchhinnasanshayam
Atmavantam na karmani nibadhnanti dhananjaya
Simple meaning, written by AIActions do not bind the person who has renounced actions through yoga, whose doubts are cut off by knowledge, and who is self-possessed, O Dhananjaya.
4.42
तस्मादज्ञानसंभूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनाऽऽत्मनः।
छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत।।4.42।।
Tasmadagyanasambhutam hritstham gyanasinatmanah
Chhittvainam sanshayam yogamatishthottishtha bharata
Simple meaning, written by AITherefore, cut off with the sword of knowledge this doubt, born of ignorance and lying in your heart, and take refuge in yoga. Arise, O Bharata.