Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.2 एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः
श्लोक 4.2
एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः ।
स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप ॥
evaṃ paramparāprāptamimaṃ rājarṣayo viduḥ |
sa kāleneha mahatā yogo naṣṭaḥ parantapa ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
इस प्रकार परंपरा से प्राप्त इस योग को राजर्षियों ने जाना। परंतु हे परंतप! बहुत समय बीतने के कारण यह योग इस संसार से लुप्त हो गया।
Meaning in English
Received in this way through succession, the royal sages knew it. But over a long span of time, O scorcher of foes (Arjuna), this yoga was lost to the world.
Bhagavad Gita 4.2 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| एवम् | evam | thus |
| परम्पराप्राप्तम् | paramparā-prāptam | received through succession |
| इमम् | imam | this |
| राजर्षयः | rājarṣayaḥ | the royal sages |
| विदुः | viduḥ | knew |
| सः | saḥ | that |
| कालेन | kālena | by time |
| इह | iha | here, in this world |
| महता | mahatā | long |
| योगः | yogaḥ | yoga |
| नष्टः | naṣṭaḥ | was lost |
| परन्तप | parantapa | O scorcher of foes |
Explanation
Handed down in this way from teacher to student, the yoga was known to the royal sages. But over a long stretch of time, Krishna says, it was lost in this world. A teaching kept alive by a living chain can fade when that chain is broken.
This verse introduces the idea of paramparā, the unbroken line of transmission that later traditions treat as essential for spiritual knowledge. Shankara explains the loss as the yoga falling into the hands of those weak in self-control and unable to hold it. Ramanuja reads it similarly: the teaching declined as people lost the fitness to receive it. The point sets up the next verse, where Krishna says he is now teaching the same ancient yoga again, to Arjuna.
भावार्थ
हे परन्तप, इस प्रकार गुरु-शिष्य परम्परा से प्राप्त इस योग को राजर्षियों ने जाना। परन्तु बहुत लम्बा समय बीत जाने के कारण यह योग इस लोक में लुप्त हो गया।
Living it today
What we do not practise, we lose. Keep the good habits and knowledge you value alive by using them and sharing them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.2?
Handed down in this way from teacher to student, the yoga was known to the royal sages. But over a long stretch of time, Krishna says, it was lost in this world. A teaching kept alive by a living chain can fade when that chain is broken.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.2?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.2 in daily life?
What we do not practise, we lose. Keep the good habits and knowledge you value alive by using them and sharing them.
Reflected on verse 4.2?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.