Bhagavad Gita · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga — Knowledge and Renunciation of Action

Chapter 4, Verse 15

"Bhagavad Gita 4.15" — meaning and explanation.

Meaning

4.15 Having known this, the ancient seekers after freedom also performed action; therefore do thou also perform action, as did the ancients in days of yore.

।।4.15।। पूर्व के मुमुक्ष पुरुषों द्वारा भी इस प्रकार जानकर ही कर्म किया गया है; इसलिये तुम भी पूर्वजों द्वारा सदा से किये हुए कर्मों को ही करो।।

Explanation

4.15 एवं thus? ज्ञात्वा having known? कृतम् (was) done? कर्म action? पूर्वैः by ancients? अपि also? मुमुक्षुभिः seekers after freedom? कुरु perform? कर्म action? एव even? तस्मात् therefore? त्वम् thou? पूर्वैः by ancients?,पूर्वतरम् in the olden time? कृतम् done.Commentary Knowing thus that the Self can have no desire for the fruits of actions and cannot be tainted by them? and knowing that no one can be tainted if he works without egoism? attachment and expectation of fruits? do thou perform your duty.If your heart is impure? perform actions for its purification. If you have attained AtmaJnana or the knowledge of the Self? work for the wellbeing of the world. The ancients such as Janaka and others performed actions in the days of yore. So do thou also perform action.

Life Lesson

Study Bhagavad Gita 4.15 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.

Context

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, verse 15, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.

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