Chapter 4: The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action

Verses (42)

1. 4.1

   श्री भगवानुवाच इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्। विवस्वान् मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत्।।...

   Knowledge compounds through intentional mentorship. Leaders who teach others create lasting impact across generations, multiplying their influence far...

2. 4.2

   एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः। स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप।।4.2।।

   Ancient wisdom gets lost when not actively practiced and passed down. Leaders must intentionally preserve and transmit proven knowledge to stay effect...

3. 4.3

   स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः। भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम्।।4.3।।

   Focus on your responsibilities without attachment to outcomes. This timeless principle, shared between trusted allies, transforms how leaders make dec...

4. 4.4

   अर्जुन उवाच अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वतः। कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति।।4.4।।

   Timeless wisdom transcends chronological limits. True knowledge isn't bound by when it was first taught—focus on its relevance to your present challen...

5. 4.5

   श्री भगवानुवाच बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन। तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप।।4.5...

   Leaders must recognize that experience and perspective matter. Trust those with broader knowledge while remaining humble about your own blind spots an...

6. 4.6

   अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन्। प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय संभवाम्यात्ममायया।।4.6।।

   Leaders must transcend their ego and circumstances by consciously choosing their role, adapting their approach while maintaining inner integrity and p...

7. 4.7

   यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत। अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदाऽऽत्मानं सृजाम्यहम्।।4.7।।

   When systems fail and ethics erode, leaders must step up and restore integrity through decisive action and moral example.

8. 4.8

   परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्। धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय संभवामि युगे युगे।।4.8।।

   Leaders must act decisively to protect integrity, eliminate harmful practices, and strengthen ethical culture—this is timeless responsibility across a...

9. 4.9

   जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः। त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन।।4.9।।

   Understanding your purpose deeply and acting with full awareness frees you from repeating mistakes, enabling genuine growth and success.

10. 4.10

    वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिताः। बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागताः।।4.10।।

    Let go of ego-driven attachments and fears. Focus intently on your purpose. This clarity and discipline naturally elevate your performance and impact.

11. 4.11

    ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम्। मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः।।4.11।।

    People respond to the energy and approach you bring. Lead with authenticity and intention; others will mirror your commitment back.

12. 4.12

    काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः। क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा।।4.12।।

    Focus on your responsibilities rather than obsessing over results. Consistent, quality work naturally produces faster success than chasing outcomes di...

13. 4.13

    चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः। तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम्।।4.13।।

    Focus on systems and roles, not rigid identities. Design structures that match people's strengths, then step back—good leaders enable without controll...

14. 4.14

    न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा। इति मां योऽभिजानाति कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते।।4.14।।

    Detach from outcomes while fully engaging in work. This freedom from result-obsession liberates you from stress and enables clearer decision-making.

15. 4.15

    एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः। कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम्।।4.15।...

    Focus on your responsibilities without waiting for perfect understanding. History shows that purposeful action, not endless analysis, creates meaningf...

16. 4.16

    किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः। तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात्।।4.16...

    Focus on intentional action aligned with your values and responsibilities, not on avoiding action itself. This clarity frees you from guilt and regret...

17. 4.17

    कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः। अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः।।4.17।।

    Understanding action requires grasping three dimensions: what to do, what to avoid, and when to pause. Master this complexity to lead effectively.

18. 4.18

    कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः। स बुद्धिमान् मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत्।।4.18।।

    True wisdom lies in acting with complete focus while remaining detached from outcomes—doing your job excellently without obsessing over results.

19. 4.19

    यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिताः। ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहुः पण्डितं बुधाः।।4.19।।

    True wisdom means acting without attachment to outcomes. Detach from personal desires; let knowledge guide your decisions, not ego or self-interest.

20. 4.20

    त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः। कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः।।4.20।।

    Focus on your effort, not outcomes. When you detach from results and act with full commitment anyway, you free yourself from anxiety and perform at...

21. 4.21

    निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः। शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम्।।4.21।।

    Act with detachment from outcomes, control your impulses, and release attachment to rewards. This frees you from guilt and enables purposeful work.

22. 4.22

    यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टो द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सरः। समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापि न निबध्यते।।4.22।।

    Accept what comes naturally, rise above win-lose thinking, release resentment, and perform your duties without attachment to outcomes. Freedom comes t...

23. 4.23

    गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः। यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते।।4.23।।

    Detach from outcomes, anchor yourself in clear understanding, and your actions become purposeful rather than driven by ego or fear.

24. 4.24

    ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्महविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्। ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना।।4.24।।

    Focus entirely on your purpose. When your actions, effort, and goals align with a single vision, you transcend obstacles and achieve mastery.

25. 4.25

    दैवमेवापरे यज्ञं योगिनः पर्युपासते। ब्रह्माग्नावपरे यज्ञं यज्ञेनैवोपजुह्वति।।4.25।।

    Focus your efforts on meaningful work itself rather than external rewards. True success comes from disciplined action aligned with your purpose, not o...

26. 4.26

    श्रोत्रादीनीन्द्रियाण्यन्ये संयमाग्निषु जुह्वति। शब्दादीन्विषयानन्य इन्द्रियाग्निषु जुह्वति।।4.26।।

    Master your senses through discipline, and redirect external distractions inward. True progress comes from controlling what captures your attention, n...

27. 4.27

    सर्वाणीन्द्रियकर्माणि प्राणकर्माणि चापरे। आत्मसंयमयोगाग्नौ जुह्वति ज्ञानदीपिते।।4.27।।

    Master your impulses through self-awareness. Channel all your energy and effort into purposeful action, guided by clear understanding of your values a...

28. 4.28

    द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे। स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः।।4.28।।

    Different paths lead to excellence. Leaders succeed through varied strengths: resources, discipline, practice, learning, or commitment. Recognize and ...

29. 4.29

    अपाने जुह्वति प्राण प्राणेऽपानं तथाऽपरे। प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणाः।।4.29।।

    Master your focus by controlling what enters and leaves your mind. Filter distractions, regulate attention, and direct energy toward what matters most...

30. 4.30

    अपरे नियताहाराः प्राणान्प्राणेषु जुह्वति। सर्वेऽप्येते यज्ञविदो यज्ञक्षपितकल्मषाः।।4.30।।

    Master your resources and energy through disciplined practice. When you invest yourself fully in meaningful work, you purify your purpose and transcen...

31. 4.31

    यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम्। नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतो़ऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम।।4.31।।

    Leaders who invest effort in meaningful work and contribute to something beyond themselves achieve lasting success and fulfillment in all areas of lif...

32. 4.32

    एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे। कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे।।4.32।।

    Understand that all meaningful work creates ripple effects. Master the consequences of your actions, and you gain true freedom in decision-making.

33. 4.33

    श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप। सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते।।4.33।।

    Invest in learning and understanding over material resources. All meaningful action ultimately builds wisdom that drives better decisions.

34. 4.34

    तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया। उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः।।4.34।।

    Seek wisdom from those who've mastered their craft through humble curiosity, genuine questions, and committed service to your growth.

35. 4.35

    यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव। येन भूतान्यशेषेण द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मन्यथो मयि।।4.35।।

    See beyond individual differences to recognize shared humanity in everyone. This perspective dissolves bias, builds genuine connection, and transforms...

36. 4.36

    अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः। सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि।।4.36।।

    Your past mistakes don't define your future. Commit to learning and growth today, and you can transform any situation.

37. 4.37

    यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन। ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा।।4.37।।

    Knowledge transforms how you view past mistakes and failures, freeing you from regret so you can act decisively in the present moment.

38. 4.38

    न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते। तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति।।4.38।।

    Master your craft through disciplined practice. Deep self-knowledge earned over time becomes your most powerful tool for making wise decisions and lea...

39. 4.39

    श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः। ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति।।4.39।।

    Master your focus and discipline today. Knowledge follows naturally, bringing lasting peace and clarity to your decisions.

40. 4.40

    अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति। नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः।।4.40।।

    Doubt paralyzes progress. Commit fully to your decisions and path—hesitation destroys both present success and future possibilities.

41. 4.41

    योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसंछिन्नसंशयम्। आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय।।4.41।।

    Master your work by detaching from outcomes. Clear doubts through knowledge, stay fully present, and you'll act freely without being trapped by result...

42. 4.42

    तस्मादज्ञानसंभूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनाऽऽत्मनः। छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत।।4.42।।

    Use disciplined focus and clear thinking to cut through confusion and doubt. Knowledge and decisive action dissolve uncertainty born from incomplete i...