Chapter 4

Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga

The fourth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is "Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga". In this chapter, Krishna glorifies the Karma Yoga and imparts the Transcendental Knowledge (the knowledge of the soul and the Ultimate Truth) to Arjuna. He reveals the reason behind his appearance in this material world. He reveals that even though he is eternal, he reincarnates time after time to re-establish dharma and peace on this Earth. His births and activities are eternal and are never contaminated by material flaws. Those persons who know and understand this Truth engage in his devotion with full faith and eventually attain Him. They do not have to take birth in this world again.

Famous Shloks

Shloks in this chapter

42 shloks

Verse 01

Verse 4.1

श्री भगवानुवाच इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्। विवस्वान् मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत्।।4.1।।

The Lord said, "I taught this imperishable Yoga to Vivasvan; Vivasvan taught it to Manu; Manu declared it to Iksvaku."

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Verse 02

Verse 4.2

एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः। स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप।।4.2।।

Thus handed down in succession, the royal sages knew this (Karma Yoga). But with a long lapse of time, O Arjuna, that Yoga was lost to the world.

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Verse 03

Verse 4.3

स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः। भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम्।।4.3।।

It is the same ancient Yoga that I am now teaching you, for you are My devotee and My friend. For, this is a supreme mystery.

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Verse 04

Verse 4.4

अर्जुन उवाच अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वतः। कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति।।4.4।।

Arjuna said, "Your birth was later, and Vivasvan's birth was earlier. How then can I understand that you taught it in the beginning?"

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Verse 05

Verse 4.5

श्री भगवानुवाच बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन। तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप।।4.5।।

The Lord said, "Many of My births have passed, O Arjuna, as have yours. I know them all, but you do not know them."

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Verse 06

Verse 4.6

अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन्। प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय संभवाम्यात्ममायया।।4.6।।

Though I am birthless and of immutable nature, and the Lord of all beings, yet by employing My own Nature (Prakrti), I am born out of My own free will.

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