The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 4 : The Yoga of Wisdom |

अथ चतुर्थो‌உध्यायः ।

श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम् ।

विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवे‌உब्रवीत् ॥ 1 ॥

एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः ।

स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप ॥ 2 ॥

स एवायं मया ते‌உद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः ।

भक्तो‌உसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥ 3 ॥

अर्जुन उवाच ।

अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वतः ।

कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति ॥ 4 ॥

श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन ।

तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप ॥ 5 ॥

अजो‌உपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरो‌உपि सन् ।

प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ॥ 6 ॥

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत ।

अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥ 7 ॥

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् ।

धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥ 8 ॥

जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः ।

त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सो‌உर्जुन ॥ 9 ॥

वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिताः ।

बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागताः ॥ 10 ॥

ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम् ।

मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥ 11 ॥

काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः ।

क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ॥ 12 ॥

चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः ।

तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् ॥ 13 ॥

न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा ।

इति मां यो‌உभिजानाति कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते ॥ 14 ॥

एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः ।

कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम् ॥ 15 ॥

किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयो‌உप्यत्र मोहिताः ।

तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसे‌உशुभात् ॥ 16 ॥

कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः ।

अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः ॥ 17 ॥

कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः ।

स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् ॥ 18 ॥

यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिताः ।

ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहुः पण्डितं बुधाः ॥ 19 ॥

त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः ।

कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तो‌உपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः ॥ 20 ॥

निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः ।

शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ॥ 21 ॥

यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टो द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सरः ।

समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापि न निबध्यते ॥ 22 ॥

गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः ।

यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते ॥ 23 ॥

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् ।

ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना ॥ 24 ॥

दैवमेवापरे यज्ञं योगिनः पर्युपासते ।

ब्रह्माग्नावपरे यज्ञं यज्ञेनैवोपजुह्वति ॥ 25 ॥

श्रोत्रादीनीन्द्रियाण्यन्ये संयमाग्निषु जुह्वति ।

शब्दादीन्विषयानन्य इन्द्रियाग्निषु जुह्वति ॥ 26 ॥

सर्वाणीन्द्रियकर्माणि प्राणकर्माणि चापरे ।

आत्मसंयमयोगाग्नौ जुह्वति ज्ञानदीपिते ॥ 27 ॥

द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे ।

स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः ॥ 28 ॥

अपाने जुह्वति प्राणं प्राणे‌உपानं तथापरे ।

प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणाः ॥ 29 ॥

अपरे नियताहाराः प्राणान्प्राणेषु जुह्वति ।

सर्वे‌உप्येते यज्ञविदो यज्ञक्षपितकल्मषाः ॥ 30 ॥

यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम् ।

नायं लोको‌உस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतो‌உन्यः कुरुसत्तम ॥ 31 ॥

एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे ।

कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे ॥ 32 ॥

श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप ।

सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते ॥ 33 ॥

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया ।

उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥ 34 ॥

यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव ।

येन भूतान्यशेषेण द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मन्यथो मयि ॥ 35 ॥

अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः ।

सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि ॥ 36 ॥

यथैधांसि समिद्धो‌உग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुते‌உर्जुन ।

ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा ॥ 37 ॥

न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते ।

तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति ॥ 38 ॥

श्रद्धावांल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः ।

ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति ॥ 39 ॥

अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति ।

नायं लोको‌உस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः ॥ 40 ॥

योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसंछिन्नसंशयम् ।

आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय ॥ 41 ॥

तस्मादज्ञानसम्भूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनात्मनः ।

छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत ॥ 42 ॥

ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे

ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोगो नाम चतुर्थो‌உध्यायः ॥4 ॥

Summary

Krishna reveals that he is transmitting an ancient teaching to Arjuna. Though Krishna has taught this wisdom to gods and others before Arjuna, it has become diluted and lost with time. Arjuna inquires that this loss is possible because Krishna was "born countless eons / later than the god of the sun." Krishna clarifies that he has been born countless times, is eternal, and comes to earth in human form when "righteousness falters / and chaos threatens to prevail." In his present incarnation, Krishna is here to help Arjuna understand the complex nature of action. Krishna explains that God is in action through worship and that in this context God is both the actor and the action. Worship, or sacrifice, has many paths, including the paths of meditation, self-denial, and study of scriptures. However, these paths are subsets of the main path of right action. Wisdom is the outcome of right action. Thus, it is important to have a wise teacher as a guide.

Analysis

This chapter introduces the important term sacrifice. The concept of sacrifice in the Hindu— specifically the Vedic—tradition has a nuanced meaning. Originally, the sacrifice consisted of rituals and offerings, such as water or food, around a sacred fire. Increasingly, the idea referred more generally to holy ritual. The statement "men sacrifice to the gods" really refers to the practice of ritual. The Sanskrit word for sacrifice is "yajna," which this text sometimes translates as "sacrifice" and other times as "worship." Both refer to the same idea of "right action" as a ritual through which the doer experiences wisdom and truth.

Although there are many paths to God and many paths of worship or sacrifice, it is critical to remember that Krishna is specifically urging Arjuna on the path of karma yoga, or right action. In fact, Krishna argues, all other paths are born of this primary path of action. This path is right for Arjuna the warrior but might not be right for a Brahmin scholar. However, because Krishna believes each path includes action, the path of right action is the underlying path regardless.

When Krishna insists that wisdom is achieved through right action—or action—or worship, his meaning becomes somewhat convoluted. At times, he argues that the pursuit of knowledge can simply perpetuate the delusion of the ego and a preoccupation with the senses. The knowledge that relates to the wisdom achieved through right action is a separate concept. The first type of knowledge comes from focusing solely on gaining knowledge with a purpose such as self-advancement. The type of wisdom Krishna insists comes from practicing karma yoga can be framed as an understanding of the nature of existence and the ability to see the truth beyond the illusory world of the senses.

In our daily lives, the teachings from Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita can be applied to navigate challenges and find meaning in our actions. Like Krishna guiding Arjuna, we can seek wisdom and purpose in our pursuits.

1. Eternal Wisdom:

   Embrace the idea that wisdom is timeless and transcends generations. In our fast-paced world, understanding ancient principles can provide a stable foundation for decision-making and personal growth.

2. Righteous Action:

   Align actions with righteousness. Just as Krishna emphasizes the importance of right action, we can strive to make ethical choices in our professional and personal lives, contributing to a harmonious and just society.

3. Paths to Fulfillment:

   Recognize that there are various paths to fulfillment. Like the different paths of worship described, individuals may find meaning through diverse avenues such as meditation, self-improvement, or academic pursuits. Respect the diversity of journeys.

4. Sacrifice as Service:

   Understand the concept of sacrifice as service. In contemporary terms, this can mean selfless acts for the benefit of others or contributing to a greater cause. By giving without expecting immediate returns, one can experience fulfillment.

5. Learning from Wise Guides:

   Acknowledge the importance of wise mentors. In our pursuit of knowledge and personal development, having knowledgeable and experienced guides can illuminate our paths, helping us navigate challenges with clarity.

6. Karma Yoga in Action:

   Embrace the philosophy of Karma Yoga – the path of selfless action. Apply this in daily tasks, emphasizing the process rather than solely focusing on outcomes. By doing so, we can find contentment in the journey itself.

7. Recognition of Eternal Essence:

   Contemplate the idea of the eternal self. In our daily introspection, we can strive to connect with a deeper understanding of our existence, moving beyond the superficial aspects of life and recognizing the eternal essence within.

8. Integration of Knowledge and Action:

   Avoid compartmentalizing knowledge and action. Integrate what we learn into our actions, ensuring that our understanding translates into positive and constructive behaviors, contributing to personal and collective well-being.

In essence, the teachings from the Bhagavad Gita encourage us to live purposefully, act ethically, and seek wisdom that transcends the transient nature of the material world. By incorporating these principles into our daily lives, we can navigate the complexities of modern existence with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

 कृष्णम् वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्🙏