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

Chapter 4, Verse 33

"Bhagavad Gita 4.33" — meaning and explanation.

श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप | सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते

śreyāndravyamayādyajñājjñānayajñaḥ parantapa . sarvaṃ karmākhilaṃ pārtha jñāne parisamāpyate

Meaning

Swami Sivananda did not comment on this sloka

।।4.33।। हे परन्तप ! द्रव्यों से सम्पन्न होने वाले यज्ञ की अपेक्षा ज्ञानयज्ञ श्रेष्ठ है। हे पार्थ ! सम्पूर्ण अखिल कर्म ज्ञान में समाप्त होते हैं, अर्थात् ज्ञान उनकी पराकाष्ठा है।।

Explanation

4.33 श्रेयान् superior? द्रव्यमयात् with objects? यज्ञात् than sacrifice? ज्ञानयज्ञः knowledgesacrifice? परन्तप O Parantapa? सर्वम् all? कर्म action? अखिलम् in its entirely? पार्थ O Partha? ज्ञाने in knowledge? परिसमाप्यते is culminated.Commentary Sacrifices with material objects cause material effects and bring the sacrificer to this world for the enjoyment of the fruits? while wisdomsacrifice leads to Moksha. Therefore wisdomsacrifice is superior to the sacrifice performed with material objects. Just as rivers join the ocean? so do all actions join knowledge? i.e.? they culminate in knowledge. All actions purify the heart and lead to the dawn of knowledge of the Self.All actions that are performed as offerings unto the Lord with their fruits are contained in the knowledge of Brahman. (Cf.IX.15X.25XVIII.70)

Life Lesson

Study Bhagavad Gita 4.33 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.

Context

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, verse 33, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.

Bhagavad Gita 4.33

This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bhagavad Gita 4.33 mean?

Swami Sivananda did not comment on this sloka

What is the life lesson of this verse?

Study Bhagavad Gita 4.33 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.

What is the context of this verse?

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, verse 33, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.