Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 4.29 अपाने जुह्वति प्राणं प्राणेऽपानं तथापरे

Sri Krishna Chapter 4, Verse 29 With word-by-word notes

श्लोक 4.29

अपाने जुह्वति प्राणं प्राणेऽपानं तथापरे ।
प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणाः ॥

apāne juhvati prāṇaṃ prāṇe'pānaṃ tathāpare |
prāṇāpānagatī ruddhvā prāṇāyāmaparāyaṇāḥ ||

हिन्दी अर्थ

प्राणायाम में लगे कुछ लोग अपान में प्राण को और प्राण में अपान को होम करते हैं, तथा प्राण और अपान दोनों की गति रोककर साधना करते हैं।

Meaning in English

Others, devoted to breath control, offer the outgoing breath into the incoming, and the incoming into the outgoing, restraining the movement of both.

Bhagavad Gita 4.29 — word by word

WordTransliterationMeaning
अपानेapāneinto the downward breath
जुह्वतिjuhvatioffer
प्राणम्prāṇamthe outgoing breath
प्राणेprāṇeinto the outgoing breath
अपानम्apānamthe downward breath
तथाtathālikewise
अपरेapareothers
प्राणापानगतीprāṇa-apāna-gatīthe courses of prana and apana
रुद्ध्वाruddhvārestraining
प्राणायामपरायणाःprāṇāyāma-parāyaṇāḥdevoted to breath control

Explanation

Some offer the outgoing breath into the incoming, and the incoming into the outgoing. Others, devoted to breath control, restrain the movement of both. The simple rhythm of breathing, made deliberate and steady, itself becomes a sacrifice.

The verse describes prāṇāyāma, the yogic regulation of breath. Shankara explains the offering of prāṇa into apāna and apāna into prāṇa as the phases of inhaling and exhaling, and the restraint of both as kumbhaka, retention of breath. The meanings of prāṇa and apāna vary across texts, and commentators differ on which is inward and which outward. The point is that disciplined breathing, used to steady the mind, is honoured alongside other forms of yajña.

भावार्थ

कुछ लोग अपान वायु में प्राण वायु का और प्राण में अपान का हवन करते हैं, तथा कुछ प्राणायाम में लगे हुए लोग प्राण और अपान की गति रोककर साधना करते हैं।

Living it today

When stressed, slow your breathing. A few calm, deliberate breaths can steady both body and mind.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.29?

Some offer the outgoing breath into the incoming, and the incoming into the outgoing. Others, devoted to breath control, restrain the movement of both. The simple rhythm of breathing, made deliberate and steady, itself becomes a sacrifice.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.29?

Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.

How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.29 in daily life?

When stressed, slow your breathing. A few calm, deliberate breaths can steady both body and mind.

Reflected on verse 4.29?

Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.