Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4
Author Kedi Ganapati
Shloka 4:1
इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम् ।
विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् ॥ १ ॥
imam vivasvate yogam proktavan aham avyayam
vivasvan manave praha manur ikshvakave 'bravit
Translation
The Supreme Lord said: I taught this eternal science of Yoga to Vivasvan (the sun-god). Vivasvan taught it to Manu, and Manu in turn instructed Ikshvaku.
Conversation
Shloka 4:2
स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप ॥ २ ॥
sa kaleneha mahata yogo nashtah parantapa
Translation
This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But over the course of time, the succession was broken, and therefore this knowledge was lost.
Conversation
Shloka 4:3
भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥ ३ ॥
bhakto 'si me sakha ceti rahasyam hy etad uttamam
Translation
Today I am explaining to you this same ancient science of Yoga because you are My devotee and My friend. This is the supreme secret.
Conversation
Shloka 4:4
अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वतः ।
कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति ॥ ४ ॥
aparam bhavato janma param janma vivasvatah
katham etad vijaniyam tvam adau proktavan iti
Translation
Arjuna said: Your birth is recent, whereas the birth of Vivasvan was in ancient times. How am I to understand that You instructed him in the beginning?
Conversation
Shloka 4:5
बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन ।
तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप ॥ ५ ॥
bahuni me vyatitani janmani tava charjuna
tany aham veda sarvani na tvam vettha parantapa
Translation
The Supreme Lord said: Many births both you and I have passed through, O Arjuna. I remember them all, but you do not, O conqueror of foes.
Conversation
Shloka 4:6
प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ॥ ६ ॥
prakritim svam adhishthaya sambhavamy atma-mayaya
Translation
Although I am unborn, My eternal nature never deteriorates, and I am the Lord of all beings, I appear by My own divine power, controlling My own material nature.
Conversation
Shloka 4:6
प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ॥ ६ ॥
prakritim svam adhishthaya sambhavamy atma-mayaya
Translation
Although I am unborn, My eternal nature never deteriorates, and I am the Lord of all beings, I appear by My own divine power, controlling My own material nature.
Conversation
Shloka 4:7
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥ ७ ॥
abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srijamy aham
Translation
Whenever and wherever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, O Bharata, I manifest Myself.
Conversation
Kedi: What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita, Verse 4:7?
Ganesh: Lord Krishna told Arjuna, "O Bharata! Whenever and wherever there is a decline of Dharma and the rise of Adharma, at that time I manifest Myself."
Kedi: What does "I manifest Myself" mean? And before manifesting, where is the Lord absent?
Ganesh: The Lord resides in Vaikuntha. In Vaikuntha, there are seven divine realms, each inhabited by one Lord. Whenever Dharma declines, the Lord descends from Vaikuntha to Earth by taking a human body. After gaining sufficient experience and knowledge of human life on Earth, He reveals Himself.
Kedi: Does the Lord also need to gain experience and knowledge?
Ganesh: Every human being born on Earth needs to acquire knowledge and experience, and this rule also applies to the Lord because He has assumed a human body.
Kedi: Does Lord Shiva also enter a human body?
Ganesh: Shiva is not Bhagavan; He is Ishvara. Ishvara cannot enter a human body—only Bhagavan can take a human body.
Kedi: What is the difference between Bhagavan and Ishvara?
Ganesh: The word Bhagavan is made up of two words: Bhag and Van. Bhag means a human body, and Van means the one who possesses or bears it. Therefore, one who assumes a human body is called Bhagavan. Ish means control, and Var means the one who exercises it. The one who controls different dimensions is Ishvara. Shiva is Ishvara, while Shankara is Bhagavan.
Kedi: How many Bhagavans descend in human form?
Ganesh: There are a total of eight Bhagavans who incarnate in human form: Shankara, Dattatreya, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Kalki, and Ganesh. Among them, Kalki and Ganesh are in the same body, while the other six have separate bodies.
Kedi: How do we know that Dharma has declined and the time has come for the Lord to descend to Earth?
Ganesh: When the entire world crosses the final limit of religious conversion, people abandon Dharma and turn toward Adharma so that they can commit Adharma in the name of a new religion, and only a few regions of India still preserve Dharma. When India also becomes a victim of religious conversion, then the Lord incarnates in India.
Kedi: Why does the Lord incarnate only in India? Why can't He incarnate in America or Korea?
Ganesh: The Lord incarnates on Earth with a particular nature, and that nature can be attained only in India. Every region gives human beings a distinct nature. In America and Korea, the influence of the material outlook is stronger, while the influence of the spiritual outlook is weaker. In India, the influence of the spiritual outlook is much stronger. Therefore, not only the Lord, but any person whose prarabdha includes spirituality is born in India.
Shloka 4:8
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥ ८ ॥
dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge
Translation
To protect the righteous, to destroy the wicked, and to re-establish the principles of Dharma, I appear age after age.
Conversation
Kedi: What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita, Verse 4:8?
Ganesh: Lord Krishna told Arjuna that, to protect the righteous, destroy the wicked, and re-establish the principles of Dharma, I manifest Myself age after age.
Kedi: Which righteous people are being protected? I have seen 4–5 types of sadhus. Some were simply beggars, some were addicts, some practiced silence, and some were devoted to singing devotional hymns.
Ganesh: It is not referring to any of those sadhus. A sadhu means a person who is practicing the discipline of following Dharma; one who fulfills their responsibilities through a job, one who pursues their dreams through business, one who fulfills the responsibilities of family life by keeping their spouse happy, one who repays the debt owed to their parents by serving them, one who develops oneself through education, and anyone who upholds humanity while fulfilling their own responsibilities is truly a sadhu. It is that sadhu whom the Lord is referring to.
Kedi: How is that possible? I have a client who runs a business, uses intoxicants, gambles, borrows money from 3–4 friends to call escorts, and whenever he invites me for a meeting, he neither eats anything himself nor offers me anything to eat—he only gets intoxicated. How can he be a sadhu?
Ganesh: Merely taking responsibility does not make someone a sadhu. A sadhu is one who does not harm others, fulfills only one's own responsibilities, and follows humanity whether one performs worship and rituals or not.
Kedi: I understand who a sadhu is. Then who is the wicked person?
Ganesh: Those who adulterate food and other material goods, thereby damaging the health and livelihood of society; those who engage in corruption; those who betray their nation; those who commit legal crimes; those who accept bribes to pardon criminals; and those who loot the wealth of their country through corruption—all of them are wicked.
Kedi: What does it mean to re-establish Dharma?
Ganesh: When the principles of Sanatan Dharma are altered through adulteration and its original form is changed, Dharma begins to decline. By bringing those original principles of Sanatan Dharma to light again, spreading them, and re-establishing those original principles, Dharma is restored. This is called the re-establishment of Dharma.
Kedi: What does "age after age" mean?
Ganesh: Just as one year is the period in which the Earth completes one revolution around the Sun, similarly, the period in which the Sun completes one revolution around the black sphere named Krishna located at its center is called a Yuga. During one Yuga, the Earth completes 12,000 revolutions around the Sun. Therefore, one Yuga is 12,000 years long.
Kedi: I have heard of Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga. What are they?
Ganesh: Just as the 12 months have 12 different names, similarly, the four Yugas in the Chatur Yuga have different names. After Satya Yuga comes Treta Yuga, after Treta Yuga comes Dvapara Yuga, after Dvapara Yuga comes Kali Yuga, and after Kali Yuga comes Satya Yuga. This cycle of time continues endlessly.
Shloka 4:9
त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन ॥ ९ ॥
tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti so 'rjuna
Translation
One who truly understands the divine nature of My birth and activities does not take birth again after leaving the body, but attains Me, O Arjuna.
Conversation
Shloka 4:10
बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागताः ॥ १० ॥
bahavo jnana-tapasa puta mad-bhavam agatah
Translation
Freed from attachment, fear, and anger, fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many persons became purified through the austerity of knowledge and attained My divine nature.
Conversation
Shloka 4:11
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥ ११ ॥
mama vartmanuvartante manushyah partha sarvashah
Translation
As people surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. O Partha, everyone follows My path in every way.
Conversation
Shloka 4:12
क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ॥ १२ ॥
kshipram hi manushe loke siddhir bhavati karmaja
Translation
Those who desire success in their actions worship the demigods, for in this world the results of actions are obtained quickly.
Conversation
Shloka 4:13
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् ॥ १३ ॥
tasya kartaram api mam viddhy akartaram avyayam
Translation
The four divisions of human society were created by Me according to the qualities and actions of people. Although I am their creator, know Me to be the non-doer and eternal.
Conversation
Shloka 4:14
इति मां योऽभिजानाति कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते ॥ १४ ॥
iti mam yo 'bhijanati karmabhir na sa badhyate
Translation
Actions do not bind Me, nor do I desire the fruits of action. One who truly understands this is never bound by karma.
Conversation
Shloka 4:15
कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम् ॥ १५ ॥
kuru karmaiva tasmat tvam purvaih purvataram kritam
Translation
Knowing this truth, the seekers of liberation in ancient times performed their duties. Therefore, you too should perform your prescribed actions as the great souls of the past did.
Conversation
Shloka 4:16
तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ॥ १६ ॥
tat te karma pravakshyami yaj jnatva mokshyase 'shubhat
Translation
Even the wise are confused about what is action and what is inaction. Therefore, I shall explain the truth about action, knowing which you will be freed from all misfortune.
Conversation
Shloka 4:17
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः ॥ १७ ॥
akarmanash cha boddhavyam gahana karmano gatih
Translation
One must understand the nature of action, forbidden action, and inaction. Indeed, the path of karma is very difficult to comprehend.
Conversation
Shloka 4:18
स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् ॥ १८ ॥
sa buddhiman manushyeshu sa yuktah kritsna-karma-krit
Translation
One who sees inaction in action and action in inaction is truly wise among human beings. Such a person is united in Yoga and has accomplished all actions.
Conversation
Shloka 4:19
ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहुः पण्डितं बुधाः ॥ १९ ॥
jnanagni-dagdha-karmanam tam ahuh panditam budhah
Translation
One whose every undertaking is free from selfish desire, and whose actions have been burned by the fire of knowledge, is regarded as truly wise by the enlightened.
Conversation
Shloka 4:20
कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः ॥ २० ॥
karmany abhipravritto 'pi naiva kinchit karoti sah
Translation
Giving up attachment to the results of action, ever content and independent, such a person performs all duties yet is not bound, for in truth they do nothing at all.
Conversation
Shloka 4:21
शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ॥ २१ ॥
shariram kevalam karma kurvan napnoti kilbisham
Translation
Free from expectation, with mind and self-controlled, giving up all possessions, one who acts only for maintaining the body incurs no sin.
Conversation
Shloka 4:22
समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापि न निबध्यते ॥ २२ ॥
samah siddhav asiddhau cha kritvapi na nibadhyate
Translation
Content with whatever comes by chance, free from dualities and envy, remaining equal in success and failure, such a person is never bound, even while acting.
Conversation
Shloka 4:23
यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते ॥ २३ ॥
yajnayacharatah karma samagram praviliyate
Translation
For one who is free from attachment, liberated, and established in knowledge, whose actions are performed as sacrifice, all karma is completely dissolved.
Conversation
Shloka 4:24
ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना ॥ २४ ॥
brahmaiva tena gantavyam brahma-karma-samadhina
Translation
The offering is Brahman, the oblation is Brahman, offered by Brahman into the fire of Brahman. One who sees Brahman in every action surely attains Brahman.
Conversation
Shloka 4:25
ब्रह्माग्नावपरे यज्ञं यज्ञेनैवोपजुह्वति ॥ २५ ॥
brahmagnav apare yajnam yajnenaivopajuhvati
Translation
Some yogis worship the gods through sacrifice, while others offer the self as sacrifice into the fire of Brahman.
Conversation
Shloka 4:26
शब्दादीन्विषयानन्य इन्द्रियाग्निषु जुह्वति ॥ २६ ॥
shabdadin vishayan anya indriyagnishu juhvati
Translation
Some offer the senses, such as hearing, into the fire of self-control, while others offer sense objects, such as sound, into the fire of the senses.
Conversation
Shloka 4:27
आत्मसंयमयोगाग्नौ जुह्वति ज्ञानदीपिते ॥ २७ ॥
atma-samyama-yogagnau juhvati jnana-dipite
Translation
Others offer all the activities of the senses and the life-breath into the fire of self-discipline, which is kindled by knowledge.
Conversation
Shloka 4:28
स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः ॥ २८ ॥
svadhyaya-jnana-yajnash cha yatayah samshita-vratah
Translation
Some perform sacrifices through charity, some through austerity, some through the practice of Yoga, and others through study of the scriptures and the cultivation of knowledge.
Conversation
Shloka 4:29
प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणाः ॥ २९ ॥
pranapana-gati ruddhva pranayama-parayanah
Translation
Some offer the outgoing breath into the incoming breath, and others the incoming breath into the outgoing breath, practicing breath control (pranayama).
Conversation
Shloka 4:30
सर्वेऽप्येते यज्ञविदो यज्ञक्षपितकल्मषाः ॥ ३० ॥
sarve 'py ete yajna-vido yajna-kshapita-kalmashah
Translation
Others regulate their diet and offer the life-airs into one another. All these practitioners understand the meaning of sacrifice, and through such sacrifices their sins are purified.
Conversation
Shloka 4:31
नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतोऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम ॥ ३१ ॥
nayam loko 'sty ayajnasya kuto 'nyah kuru-sattama
Translation
Those who partake of the nectar remaining after sacrifice attain the eternal Brahman. But for one who performs no sacrifice, even this world is not attainable, what to speak of the next, O best of the Kurus.
Conversation
Shloka 4:32
कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे ॥ ३२ ॥
karmajan viddhi tan sarvan evam jnatva vimokshyase
Translation
Thus many kinds of sacrifices are described in the Vedas. Know that they all arise from action. Understanding this, you shall become liberated.
Conversation
Shloka 4:33
सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते ॥ ३३ ॥
sarvam karmakhilam partha jnane parisamapyate
Translation
O Parantapa, the sacrifice of knowledge is superior to the sacrifice of material possessions, because all actions ultimately culminate in knowledge.
Conversation
Shloka 4:34
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥ ३४ ॥
upadekshyanti te jnanam jnaninas tattva-darshinah
Translation
Learn the truth by approaching a spiritual teacher with humility, sincere inquiry, and service. The wise who have realized the truth will impart that knowledge to you.
Conversation
Shloka 4:35
येन भूतान्यशेषाणि द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मन्यथो मयि ॥ ३५ ॥
yena bhutany asheshani drakshyasy atmany atho mayi
Translation
Having attained this knowledge, O Pandava, you will never again fall into illusion. By it, you will see all beings within yourself and also within Me.
Conversation
Shloka 4:36
सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि ॥ ३६ ॥
sarvam jnana-plavenaiva vrijinam santarishyasi
Translation
Even if you are the greatest sinner among all sinners, you can cross over the ocean of sin by the boat of knowledge.
Conversation
Shloka 4:37
ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि bhasmसात्कुरुते तथा ॥ ३७ ॥
jnanagnih sarva-karmani bhasmasat kurute tatha
Translation
Just as a blazing fire reduces firewood to ashes, O Arjuna, so the fire of knowledge burns all karma to ashes.
Conversation
Shloka 4:38
तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति ॥ ३८ ॥
tat svayam yoga-samsiddhah kalenatmani vindati
Translation
In this world, nothing is as pure and purifying as knowledge. One who has attained perfection in Yoga gradually realizes this knowledge within the self.
Conversation
Shloka 4:39
ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति ॥ ३९ ॥
jnanam labdhva param shantim achirena adhigacchati
Translation
A person with faith, dedication, and control over the senses attains knowledge. Having gained knowledge, such a person quickly achieves supreme peace.
Conversation
Shloka 4:40
नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः ॥ ४० ॥
nayam loko 'sti na paro na sukham samshayatmanah
Translation
The ignorant, the faithless, and the doubting person are ruined. For one who is full of doubt, there is happiness neither in this world nor in the next.
Conversation
Shloka 4:41
आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय ॥ ४१ ॥
atmavantam na karmani nibadhnanti dhananjaya
Translation
O Dhananjaya, one who has renounced attachment to actions through Yoga, whose doubts have been cut away by knowledge, and who is self-controlled, is never bound by karma.
Conversation
Shloka 4:42
छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत ॥ ४२ ॥
chhittvainam samshayam yogam atishthottishtha bharata
Translation
Therefore, with the sword of knowledge, cut away the doubt born of ignorance that dwells in your heart. Take refuge in Yoga, arise, O Bharata, and perform your duty.
Conversation
Note: Every interpretation published here is the original work of Kedi Ganapati alone. No other author, commentator, or interpreter has contributed to these explanations. These interpretations are based on Kedi Ganapati's own understanding of the Bhagavad Gita's verses through personal study, research, wisdom, and experience.
