Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of ActionKrishna
Verse 33
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 4, श्लोक 33
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप।
सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते॥
Transliteration
Shreyan Dravya-Mayad Yajnaj-Jnana-Yajnah Parantapa.
Sarvam Karma-Akhilam Partha Jnane Parisamapyate.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
श्रेयान्shreyansuperior
द्रव्यमयात्dravya-mayatthan material
यज्ञात्yajnatthan sacrifice
ज्ञानयज्ञःjnana-yajnahsacrifice of knowledge
परन्तपparantapaO scorcher of foes
सर्वम्sarvamall
कर्मkarmaaction
अखिलम्akhilamentirely
पार्थparthaO Partha
ज्ञानेjnanein knowledge
परिसमाप्यतेparisamapyateculminates
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
हे परन्तप! द्रव्यमय यज्ञ से ज्ञान-यज्ञ श्रेष्ठ है। हे पार्थ! सम्पूर्ण कर्म ज्ञान में परिसमाप्त (पूर्ण) होते हैं।
English Translation
Superior to the sacrifice of material possessions is the sacrifice of knowledge, O Parantapa. All actions in their entirety culminate in knowledge, O Partha.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna establishes the supremacy of knowledge (jnana) over all other forms of sacrifice. While material sacrifices purify and generate merit, the sacrifice of knowledge leads to the highest realization. All forms of karma ultimately find their fulfillment in the dawn of spiritual knowledge. This verse places jnana at the pinnacle of the spiritual hierarchy.