॥ ॐ श्री परमात्मने नमः ॥
अथ चतुर्थोऽध्यायः । ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोगः
श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम् ।
विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् ॥ ४-१॥
एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः ।
स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप ॥ ४-२॥
स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः ।
भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥ ४-३॥
अर्जुन उवाच ।
अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वतः ।
कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति ॥ ४-४॥
श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन ।
तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप ॥ ४-५॥
अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् ।
प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ॥ ४-६॥
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत ।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥ ४-७॥
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् ।
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥ ४-८॥
जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः ।
त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन ॥ ४-९॥
वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिताः ।
बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागताः ॥ ४-१०॥
ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम् ।
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥ ४-११॥
काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः ।
क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ॥ ४-१२॥
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः ।
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् ॥ ४-१३॥
न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा ।
इति मां योऽभिजानाति कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते ॥ ४-१४॥
एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः ।
कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम् ॥ ४-१५॥
किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः ।
तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ॥ ४-१६॥
कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः ।
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः ॥ ४-१७॥
कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः ।
स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् ॥ ४-१८॥
यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिताः ।
ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहुः पण्डितं बुधाः ॥ ४-१९॥
त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः ।
कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः ॥ ४-२०॥
निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः ।
शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ॥ ४-२१॥
यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टो द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सरः ।
समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापि न निबध्यते ॥ ४-२२॥
गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः ।
यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते ॥ ४-२३॥
ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् ।
ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना ॥ ४-२४॥
दैवमेवापरे यज्ञं योगिनः पर्युपासते ।
ब्रह्माग्नावपरे यज्ञं यज्ञेनैवोपजुह्वति ॥ ४-२५॥
श्रोत्रादीनीन्द्रियाण्यन्ये संयमाग्निषु जुह्वति ।
शब्दादीन्विषयानन्य इन्द्रियाग्निषु जुह्वति ॥ ४-२६॥
सर्वाणीन्द्रियकर्माणि प्राणकर्माणि चापरे ।
आत्मसंयमयोगाग्नौ जुह्वति ज्ञानदीपिते ॥ ४-२७॥
द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे ।
स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः ॥ ४-२८॥
अपाने जुह्वति प्राणं प्राणेऽपानं तथापरे ।
प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणाः ॥ ४-२९॥
अपरे नियताहाराः प्राणान्प्राणेषु जुह्वति ।
सर्वेऽप्येते यज्ञविदो यज्ञक्षपितकल्मषाः ॥ ४-३०॥
यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम् ।
नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतोऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम ॥ ४-३१॥
एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे ।
कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे ॥ ४-३२॥
श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप ।
सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते ॥ ४-३३॥
तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया ।
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥ ४-३४॥
यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव ।
येन भूतान्यशेषेण द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मन्यथो मयि ॥ ४-३५॥ (भूतान्यशेषाणि)
अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः ।
सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि ॥ ४-३६॥
यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन ।
ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा ॥ ४-३७॥
न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते ।
तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति ॥ ४-३८॥
श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः ।
ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति ॥ ४-३९॥
अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति ।
नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः ॥ ४-४०॥
योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसञ्छिन्नसंशयम् ।
आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय ॥ ४-४१॥
तस्मादज्ञानसम्भूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनात्मनः ।
छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत ॥ ४-४२॥
ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु
ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे
ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोगो नाम चतुर्थोऽध्यायः ॥ ४॥
Introduction to Chapter 4
Overview of the Chapter
Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita is known as Jñāna-Karma-Sannyāsa Yoga. It teaches how knowledge (jnana), action (karma), and renunciation (sannyasa) together lead one to liberation, through self-less action without attachment.
Number of Verses & Structure
There are 42 shlokas in this chapter. Krishna first describes the ancient lineage of this knowledge, then explains the role of action, sacrifice, and how to approach a spiritual teacher.
Definition: Knowledge & Renunciation
True renunciation, according to Krishna, is not abandoning action but renouncing attachment to results. Combining knowledge and action with detachment is key.
Divine Incarnation (Avatāra) Explained
Krishna reveals His divine incarnations: whenever dharma declines, He appears in different forms to protect the virtuous, destroy the wicked, and reestablish righteousness.
Relevance for Devotees Today
These teachings stress that acting with wisdom and detachment helps reduce suffering, aids spiritual growth, and is applicable even in modern life and service.
Overview of Jnana Karma Yoga
Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita, also called Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga, focuses on the importance of combining knowledge with selfless action.
Why Knowledge is Supreme
Krishna explains to Arjuna that spiritual knowledge is superior to blind ritualistic actions.
The Role of Divine Incarnations
Lord Krishna describes why He takes birth in every age to protect righteousness and destroy evil.
The Balance of Knowledge and Action
This chapter highlights how wisdom and karma must go hand in hand for liberation.
Relevance in Daily Life
The teachings guide us to perform our duties with devotion and awareness, without attachment.
Parampara & Divine Lineage
What is Parampara
Parampara refers to the disciplic succession: the eternal science of yoga was passed from Krishna to Vivasvan, Manu, Ikshvaku, etc., sustaining spiritual knowledge over ages.
Knowledge Loss and Revival
Over time this knowledge was lost or distorted, so Krishna comes again in human form to restore the true teachings.
Krishna’s Eternal Nature
Krishna is unborn, imperishable; though He manifests in forms, His nature remains eternal. He sustains dharma beyond birth and decay.
Criteria for Receiving Knowledge
True knowledge can be received only by someone devoted and humble, who approaches a realized teacher with submissiveness, inquiry and service.
Benefits of Transcendental Knowledge
Knowledge cleanses the heart, reduces karmic bondage, destroys ignorance, and ultimately leads the soul toward liberation.
Action
Inaction & Forbidden Action
Purifying Role of Action + KnowledgeWhen actions are done with knowledge (jnana) and dedication, they purify the doer and reduce binding of karma.
Inaction & Forbidden Action
Inaction in Action
Inaction & Forbidden Action
Forbidden Actions & Their Effects
Inaction & Forbidden Action
Performing Sacrifice (Yajña) as Action
Inaction & Forbidden Action
Purifying Role of Action + Knowledge
Role of the Wise
Characteristics of the Wise
The wise remain unmoved by praise or blame, neither elated by success nor depressed by failure, and act with equanimity.
Detachment from Outcomes
They perform actions but surrender outcomes they are not organs of their actions.
Constant Purity & Non-violence
Their thoughts, words, and actions reflect purity and compassion; they avoid actions born of hatred or ignorance.
Self-control & Meditation
The wise control senses, practice meditation, and keep the mind steady, guided by knowledge.
Faith & Surrender
Wise ones have unwavering faith, accept divine will, surrender to God, and approach spiritual teacher.
Sacrifice (Yajña) Types & Importance
External Rituals vs Internal Sacrifice
Rituals, austerity, study, offering at the fire, or feeding others — all can be yajña when motive is pure and desire absent.
Duty Sacrifice in Daily Life
Even everyday chores done with the intention of offering to the divine can become yajña.
Self-study & Discipline as Sacrifice
Studying sacred texts, disciplining senses and mind are higher forms of sacrifice.
Offering of Knowledge
Offering one’s ignorance via knowledge is considered the supreme sacrifice. The knowledge itself becomes the yajña.
Effect on the Doer
Sacrifice purifies heart, reduces ego, enables spiritual growth and peace.
Conclusion & Final Teachings
Summary of Key Points
Chapter 4 teaches that divine knowledge in parampara, right knowledge of action/inaction, pure sacrifice, surrender and wisdom lead to spiritual freedom.
Call to Action for Seekers
Approach a realized teacher, act selflessly, study sacred texts and question with humility. ‟Cut the doubts born of ignorance with the sword of knowledge.
Living the Teachings
In daily life, let our work be offerings, maintain faith in existence, remain steady in adversity, act with compassion and detachment.
Benefits of Knowledge
Knowledge dispels ignorance, burn sins, frees one from the cycle of birth and death, brings inner peace and wisdom.
Teachings of Lord Krishna
Why Krishna Reveals Ancient Wisdom
Krishna tells Arjuna that this sacred knowledge was passed down through sages and is now being revived.
The Eternal Dharma
The eternal truth of dharma is timeless and must be practiced across generations.
Krishna’s Divine Birth and Purpose
Krishna clarifies that His incarnations happen whenever dharma declines and adharma rises.
Acting Without Attachment
The secret to liberation lies in performing actions without selfish desire.
Faith in Knowledge
Only those with faith and devotion can grasp the wisdom of yoga.
Importance of Jnana Karma Yoga
Definition of Jnana Karma
Jnana Karma Yoga combines knowledge of the self with the discipline of selfless action.
How Knowledge Purifies Action
Right understanding turns ordinary actions into spiritual practices.
Freedom from Bondage
By uniting wisdom with work, one escapes the cycle of karma.
Spiritual Discipline
Discipline and focus help in aligning action with divine knowledge.
The Path to Liberation
Selfless duty leads to ultimate liberation and union with the divine.
Role of Guru and Disciple
Why a Guru is Essential
Krishna emphasizes the need of approaching a realized teacher for true knowledge.
Humility in Learning
A disciple must approach the teacher with respect, service, and inquiry.
Transmission of Knowledge
True wisdom is passed from teacher to disciple in a living tradition.
Faith and Practice
Without faith, knowledge remains incomplete and ineffective.
Overcoming Doubt
The guidance of a guru helps remove doubts and confusion on the spiritual path.
Practical Applications of Chapter 4
Applying Knowledge in Work
One should integrate spiritual awareness in daily duties and responsibilities.
Living with Detachment
By working without expecting rewards, peace and freedom are achieved.
Spiritualizing Daily Actions
Even small actions can be transformed into devotion through right intention.
Removing Ignorance
Knowledge is the light that dispels the darkness of ignorance.
Final Message of Krishna
Krishna concludes by encouraging Arjuna to rise with faith, wisdom, and courage.
Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita is known as Jñāna-Karma-Sannyāsa Yoga. It teaches how knowledge (jnana), action (karma), and renunciation (sannyasa) together lead one to liberation, through self-less action without attachment.
There are 42 shlokas in this chapter. Krishna first describes the ancient lineage of this knowledge, then explains the role of action, sacrifice, and how to approach a spiritual teacher.
True renunciation, according to Krishna, is not abandoning action but renouncing attachment to results. Combining knowledge and action with detachment is key.
Krishna reveals His divine incarnations: whenever dharma declines, He appears in different forms to protect the virtuous, destroy the wicked, and reestablish righteousness.
These teachings stress that acting with wisdom and detachment helps reduce suffering, aids spiritual growth, and is applicable even in modern life and service.
Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita, also called Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga, focuses on the importance of combining knowledge with selfless action.
Krishna explains to Arjuna that spiritual knowledge is superior to blind ritualistic actions.
Lord Krishna describes why He takes birth in every age to protect righteousness and destroy evil.
This chapter highlights how wisdom and karma must go hand in hand for liberation.
The teachings guide us to perform our duties with devotion and awareness, without attachment.
Parampara refers to the disciplic succession: the eternal science of yoga was passed from Krishna to Vivasvan, Manu, Ikshvaku, etc., sustaining spiritual knowledge over ages.
Over time this knowledge was lost or distorted, so Krishna comes again in human form to restore the true teachings.
Krishna is unborn, imperishable; though He manifests in forms, His nature remains eternal. He sustains dharma beyond birth and decay.
True knowledge can be received only by someone devoted and humble, who approaches a realized teacher with submissiveness, inquiry and service.
Knowledge cleanses the heart, reduces karmic bondage, destroys ignorance, and ultimately leads the soul toward liberation.
Purifying Role of Action + KnowledgeWhen actions are done with knowledge (jnana) and dedication, they purify the doer and reduce binding of karma.
Inaction in Action
Forbidden Actions & Their Effects
Performing Sacrifice (Yajña) as Action
Purifying Role of Action + Knowledge
The wise remain unmoved by praise or blame, neither elated by success nor depressed by failure, and act with equanimity.
They perform actions but surrender outcomes they are not organs of their actions.
Their thoughts, words, and actions reflect purity and compassion; they avoid actions born of hatred or ignorance.
The wise control senses, practice meditation, and keep the mind steady, guided by knowledge.
Wise ones have unwavering faith, accept divine will, surrender to God, and approach spiritual teacher.
Rituals, austerity, study, offering at the fire, or feeding others — all can be yajña when motive is pure and desire absent.
Even everyday chores done with the intention of offering to the divine can become yajña.
Studying sacred texts, disciplining senses and mind are higher forms of sacrifice.
Offering one’s ignorance via knowledge is considered the supreme sacrifice. The knowledge itself becomes the yajña.
Sacrifice purifies heart, reduces ego, enables spiritual growth and peace.
Chapter 4 teaches that divine knowledge in parampara, right knowledge of action/inaction, pure sacrifice, surrender and wisdom lead to spiritual freedom.
Approach a realized teacher, act selflessly, study sacred texts and question with humility. ‟Cut the doubts born of ignorance with the sword of knowledge.
In daily life, let our work be offerings, maintain faith in existence, remain steady in adversity, act with compassion and detachment.
Knowledge dispels ignorance, burn sins, frees one from the cycle of birth and death, brings inner peace and wisdom.
Krishna tells Arjuna that this sacred knowledge was passed down through sages and is now being revived.
The eternal truth of dharma is timeless and must be practiced across generations.
Krishna clarifies that His incarnations happen whenever dharma declines and adharma rises.
The secret to liberation lies in performing actions without selfish desire.
Only those with faith and devotion can grasp the wisdom of yoga.
Jnana Karma Yoga combines knowledge of the self with the discipline of selfless action.
Right understanding turns ordinary actions into spiritual practices.
By uniting wisdom with work, one escapes the cycle of karma.
Discipline and focus help in aligning action with divine knowledge.
Selfless duty leads to ultimate liberation and union with the divine.
Krishna emphasizes the need of approaching a realized teacher for true knowledge.
A disciple must approach the teacher with respect, service, and inquiry.
True wisdom is passed from teacher to disciple in a living tradition.
Without faith, knowledge remains incomplete and ineffective.
The guidance of a guru helps remove doubts and confusion on the spiritual path.
One should integrate spiritual awareness in daily duties and responsibilities.
By working without expecting rewards, peace and freedom are achieved.
Even small actions can be transformed into devotion through right intention.
Knowledge is the light that dispels the darkness of ignorance.
Krishna concludes by encouraging Arjuna to rise with faith, wisdom, and courage.
101 Panchatantra Stories for Children: Panchatantra Tales for Kids | Animal Fables with Moral Lessons | Timeless Indian Tales for Fun | Indian Storybook with Animal Characters | Read-Alouds, Toddlers | Reading for Bedtime Stories - Large Print
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Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta Yatharoop
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