Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of ActionArjuna
Verse 4
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 4, श्लोक 4
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वतः।
कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति॥
Transliteration
Aparam Bhavato Janma Param Janma Vivasvatah.
Katham-Etad Vijaniyam Tvam-Adau Proktavan-Iti.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
अपरम्aparamlater/recent
भवतःbhavatahYour
जन्मjanmabirth
परम्paramearlier/prior
जन्मjanmabirth
विवस्वतःvivasvatahof Vivasvan (sun-god)
कथम्kathamhow
एतत्etatthis
विजानीयाम्vijaniyamshould I understand
त्वम्tvamYou
आदौadauin the beginning
प्रोक्तवान्proktavantaught
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
अर्जुन बोले — आपका जन्म तो बाद में हुआ और विवस्वान (सूर्य) का जन्म बहुत पहले; तो मैं कैसे जानूँ कि आपने ही आदि में यह योग कहा था?
English Translation
Arjuna said: Your birth is recent, and the birth of Vivasvan (the sun-god) was much earlier. How am I to understand that You taught this yoga in the beginning?
Commentary (टीका)
Arjuna raises a natural doubt — Krishna appears to be a contemporary human being, while the sun-god Vivasvan existed at the very beginning of creation. This question provides Krishna the opportunity to reveal His divine nature as the eternal, unborn Supreme Being who incarnates by His own will across ages.