Chapter 4ज्ञानकर्मसन्न्यासयोगःJnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga

The lineage of yoga (4.1–4.3). Krishna tells how he gave this imperishable yoga to Vivasvan, Vivasvan to Manu, and Manu to Ikshvaku; the royal sages knew it, but over a long time it was lost. That same ancient yoga now goes to Arjuna — because he is a devotee and a friend.

The avatar (4.4–4.10). Arjuna asks — but you were born only recently (4.4). Krishna: you and I have had many births; I know them all (4.5); though unborn and the Lord, I bring my own prakriti under control and appear through my own maya (4.6); whenever dharma declines (4.7), to protect the good, to destroy the wrongdoers and to establish dharma (4.8). Whoever truly knows my divine birth and deeds is not reborn (4.9); many, purified by the austerity of knowledge, have attained my state of being (4.10).

The Lord's impartiality, and action (4.11–4.15). As people take refuge in me, so I respond to them (4.11); people worship the gods for quick results (4.12); the fourfold varna order arises from the division of gunas and actions — and though its maker, I am a non-doer (4.13); actions do not cling to me, nor do I crave their fruit — one who knows this is not bound either (4.14); so act, as your forebears did (4.15).

Action, inaction, wrong action (4.16–4.23). What is action, what is inaction — even the learned are confused (4.16); the way of action is deep (4.17); one who sees inaction in action and action in inaction is wise (4.18). One free of desire and selfish intention, whose actions are burned in the fire of knowledge, is a pandit (4.19); giving up attachment to results, ever content, dependent on nothing — though engaged in action, such a person does nothing at all (4.20); one who gives up hope and hoarding and does only bodily action incurs no sin (4.21); content with whatever comes, beyond the pairs of opposites, free from envy, even-minded in success and failure (4.22); the action of one with this spirit of yajña dissolves away (4.23).

The forms of yajña (4.24–4.32). Brahmārpaṇam — the offering, the oblation, the fire, the doer: all are Brahman (4.24). Yajña to the gods, and offering into the fire of Brahman (4.25); into the fire of restraint of the senses, and the objects into the fire of the senses (4.26); the breath and the actions of the senses into the fire of self-restraint (4.27); the yajñas of material gifts, of austerity, of yoga, of self-study, of knowledge (4.28); pranayama (4.29–4.30). Through the nectar of what remains of the yajña, Brahman; for one without yajña not even this world exists (4.31). All these are born of action — knowing this, liberation (4.32).

Knowledge (4.33–4.42). The yajña of knowledge is superior to the yajña of material things; all actions culminate in knowledge (4.33). Receive knowledge from the wise who have seen the truth, through humble reverence, questioning and service (4.34); with it there is no delusion, and you will see all beings in yourself and in me (4.35). Even the worst sinner crosses over by the boat of knowledge (4.36); the fire of knowledge burns all actions to ashes (4.37); nothing is as purifying as knowledge (4.38). Through faith, dedication and self-restraint comes knowledge, and from it supreme peace (4.39); the ignorant, the faithless and the doubt-ridden fall (4.40). One who has renounced action through yoga and cut away doubt through knowledge is not bound by action (4.41). So cut doubt with the sword of knowledge and stand firm in yoga — uttiṣṭha! (4.42)