Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.3 स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः
श्लोक 4.3
स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः ।
भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥
sa evāyaṃ mayā te'dya yogaḥ proktaḥ purātanaḥ |
bhakto'si me sakhā ceti rahasyaṃ hyetaduttamam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
वही पुरातन योग आज मैंने तुम्हें बताया है, क्योंकि तुम मेरे भक्त और मित्र हो। यह अत्यंत उत्तम रहस्य है।
Meaning in English
That same ancient yoga I have taught to you today, because you are My devotee and My friend. This is indeed a supreme secret.
Bhagavad Gita 4.3 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सः एव अयम् | saḥ eva ayam | this very same |
| मया | mayā | by me |
| ते | te | to you |
| अद्य | adya | today |
| योगः | yogaḥ | yoga |
| प्रोक्तः | proktaḥ | has been declared |
| पुरातनः | purātanaḥ | ancient |
| भक्तः असि | bhaktaḥ asi | you are devoted |
| मे | me | to me, my |
| सखा | sakhā | friend |
| च इति | ca iti | and so |
| रहस्यम् | rahasyam | secret |
| हि | hi | indeed |
| एतत् | etat | this |
| उत्तमम् | uttamam | supreme |
Explanation
Krishna tells Arjuna that the very same ancient yoga is what he has now declared to him. He has chosen to share it because Arjuna is his devotee and his friend. This teaching, he adds, is a supreme secret, not something given lightly.
The verse names the two qualities that make Arjuna fit to receive the teaching: devotion (bhakti) and friendship (sakhya). Ramanuja and later devotional schools see here the importance of a loving relationship with the Lord as the ground of spiritual knowledge. Shankara emphasises that the yoga is called a secret because it is the highest truth and must be given to the qualified. The intimacy of this moment between charioteer and warrior colours the rest of the dialogue.
भावार्थ
वही यह पुरातन योग आज मैंने तुमसे कहा है, क्योंकि तुम मेरे भक्त और प्रिय मित्र हो। यह योग अत्यन्त उत्तम और गूढ़ रहस्य है, जिसे हर किसी को नहीं बताया जाता।
Living it today
The deepest lessons pass through trust and affection. Be the kind of student, colleague or friend people want to confide in.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.3?
Krishna tells Arjuna that the very same ancient yoga is what he has now declared to him. He has chosen to share it because Arjuna is his devotee and his friend. This teaching, he adds, is a supreme secret, not something given lightly.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.3?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.3 in daily life?
The deepest lessons pass through trust and affection. Be the kind of student, colleague or friend people want to confide in.
Reflected on verse 4.3?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.