Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.1 इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्
श्लोक 4.1
श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम् ।
विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् ॥
śrībhagavānuvāca |
imaṃ vivasvate yogaṃ proktavānahamavyayam |
vivasvānmanave prāha manurikṣvākave'bravīt ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
श्रीभगवान ने कहा: यह अविनाशी योग मैंने सूर्यदेव विवस्वान को बताया था। विवस्वान ने इसे मनु को कहा और मनु ने राजा इक्ष्वाकु को।
Meaning in English
The Blessed Lord said: I taught this imperishable yoga to Vivasvan (the Sun god). Vivasvan passed it to Manu, and Manu told it to Ikshvaku.
Bhagavad Gita 4.1 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| इमम् | imam | this |
| विवस्वते | vivasvate | to Vivasvan, the sun |
| योगम् | yogam | yoga |
| प्रोक्तवान् | proktavān | taught |
| अहम् | aham | I |
| अव्ययम् | avyayam | imperishable |
| विवस्वान् | vivasvān | Vivasvan |
| मनवे | manave | to Manu |
| प्राह | prāha | told |
| मनुः | manuḥ | Manu |
| इक्ष्वाकवे | ikṣvākave | to Ikshvaku |
| अब्रवीत् | abravīt | taught |
Explanation
Krishna says that this imperishable yoga is not new. He first taught it to Vivasvan, the sun; Vivasvan passed it to Manu, the first lawgiver of humankind; and Manu handed it on to Ikshvaku, the first king of the solar dynasty. The teaching Arjuna is hearing has an ancient lineage.
Chapter 4 opens by giving the Gita's teaching a history. After the call to selfless action in chapter 3, Krishna places that teaching in a line of royal transmission, so that it carries the weight of tradition rather than seeming a battlefield improvisation. Shankara notes that the yoga was given to kings so that rulers, being strong in it, could protect the world. Commentators generally take 'this yoga' to mean the twofold path of knowledge and action described in chapters 2 and 3. The claim to have taught the sun also prepares the next verses on Krishna's divine nature.
भावार्थ
श्रीभगवान बोले — यह अविनाशी योग मैंने पहले सूर्यदेव विवस्वान को बताया था। विवस्वान ने इसे मनु को बताया और मनु ने राजा इक्ष्वाकु को। इस प्रकार यह ज्ञान बहुत प्राचीन परम्परा से चला आ रहा है।
Living it today
Good wisdom is usually old wisdom passed down. Value the teachers and traditions that carried it to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.1?
Krishna says that this imperishable yoga is not new. He first taught it to Vivasvan, the sun; Vivasvan passed it to Manu, the first lawgiver of humankind; and Manu handed it on to Ikshvaku, the first king of the solar dynasty. The teaching Arjuna is hearing has an ancient lineage.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.1?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.1 in daily life?
Good wisdom is usually old wisdom passed down. Value the teachers and traditions that carried it to you.
Reflected on verse 4.1?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.