Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 4 Gyana Karma Sannyasa Yogah

Gyana Karma Sannyasa Yogah - The Blessed Lord said: Both you and I have had many births, O Arjuna. I know them all, but you do not remember them, O Parantapa.

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

The Blessed Lord said: Both you and I have had many births, O Arjuna. I know them all, but you do not remember them, O Parantapa.

Parantapa: A title for Arjuna, meaning the scorcher of foes.

Krishna explains that while he and Arjuna have lived many lives, Krishna remembers all while Arjuna forgets. This contrast emphasizes Krishna’s divine omniscience and reminds Arjuna of the limited nature of human understanding, deepening the discourse on divine knowledge versus human memory.

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

Though I am unborn, imperishable, and the Lord of all beings, still I appear in every age by my internal potency.

Ishvara: The Supreme Lord or controller.
Prakriti: Material nature or cosmic energy.

Krishna discloses his ability to manifest in the world, even though he remains unborn and eternal. This concept introduces the idea of divine incarnations that descend out of compassion for humanity, embodying timeless truths in human form to guide society and restore balance during times of crisis.

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

Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, O Bharata, I manifest myself.

Dharma: Righteousness or duty.
Adharma: Unrighteousness, the opposite of dharma.

Krishna outlines his role in preserving dharma and combating adharma. This verse implies that divine intervention occurs when society strays from righteousness. By directly intervening, Krishna reassures Arjuna that he is part of a divine plan to restore equilibrium and protect the righteous.

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

To protect the righteous, annihilate the wicked, and establish dharma, I appear age after age.

Sadhu: A pious or righteous person.
Yuge Yuge: In every age or epoch.

Krishna explains his purpose in incarnating across ages—to protect the virtuous and eliminate forces of evil. This establishes the moral underpinning of his actions as purposeful and just, showing that his divine interventions are both preventative and restorative for preserving harmony.

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Gyana Karma Sannyasa Yogah - One who knows the transcendental nature of my birth and actions, upon leaving the body, does not take birth again but comes to me, O Arjuna.

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

One who knows the transcendental nature of my birth and actions, upon leaving the body, does not take birth again but comes to me, O Arjuna.

Tattvatah: In reality or truth.
Mukti: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Knowing Krishna’s transcendental nature brings liberation, not rebirth. This commentary highlights the transformative power of spiritual understanding and devotion, suggesting that recognizing divine actions as beyond the cycle of karma frees one from attachment to material life and future rebirths.

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Gyana Karma Sannyasa Yogah - Freed from attachment, fear, and anger, many have attained my nature through knowledge and penance, having taken shelter in me.

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

Freed from attachment, fear, and anger, many have attained my nature through knowledge and penance, having taken shelter in me.

Vita-raga: Freed from attachment.
Jnana-tapas: Austerity in pursuit of knowledge.

Krishna points to those who have reached his divine state through dedication and inner purification. This emphasizes that attaining his state is not a privilege but an achievable goal for those who conquer fear, anger, and attachment, showcasing the path of inner discipline and self-realization.

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

As all surrender unto me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows my path in all respects, O Partha.

Prapadyante: To surrender or approach with devotion.

Krishna declares that he reciprocates the devotion shown to him. This insight into divine reciprocation establishes that spiritual progress is individualized and that one’s approach to the divine is unique, yet ultimately leads back to Krishna, reinforcing the personal nature of the divine relationship.

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