Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.33 श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः
श्लोक 4.33
श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप ।
सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते ॥
śreyāndravyamayādyajñājjñānayajñaḥ parantapa |
sarvaṃ karmākhilaṃ pārtha jñāne parisamāpyate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे परंतप! धन-सामग्री से किए जाने वाले यज्ञ की अपेक्षा ज्ञान-यज्ञ श्रेष्ठ है। हे पार्थ! सभी कर्म पूर्ण रूप से ज्ञान में ही समाप्त होते हैं।
Meaning in English
The sacrifice of knowledge is better than sacrifice with material things, O scorcher of foes. All action, without exception, O Partha, culminates in knowledge.
Bhagavad Gita 4.33 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| श्रेयान् | śreyān | better |
| द्रव्यमयात् | dravyamayāt | consisting of material things |
| यज्ञात् | yajñāt | than sacrifice |
| ज्ञानयज्ञः | jñāna-yajñaḥ | the sacrifice of knowledge |
| परन्तप | parantapa | O scorcher of foes |
| सर्वम् | sarvam | all |
| कर्म | karma | action |
| अखिलम् | akhilam | in its entirety |
| पार्थ | pārtha | O son of Pritha |
| ज्ञाने | jñāne | in knowledge |
| परिसमाप्यते | parisamāpyate | culminates |
Explanation
The sacrifice of knowledge is better than sacrifice made with material things. All action, without exception, finds its completion in knowledge. Outward offerings are good and have their place; understanding is the goal toward which they all point.
After listing many sacrifices, Krishna now ranks them. Shankara sees this verse as central: all action ends in knowledge of the Self, which alone liberates, and the fruits of every rite are contained in it. Ramanuja agrees that knowledge is higher but holds that action done with knowledge is itself the means, so the two belong together. Gandhi read jñāna-yajña as action filled with understanding. The verse leads directly into 4.34 on how such knowledge is gained.
भावार्थ
हे परन्तप, धन और पदार्थों से होने वाले यज्ञ की अपेक्षा ज्ञान-यज्ञ श्रेष्ठ है। हे पार्थ, सभी कर्म पूर्ण रूप से ज्ञान में ही जाकर समाप्त होते हैं।
Living it today
Rituals and routines matter most when they lead to understanding. Ask what each practice is really teaching you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.33?
The sacrifice of knowledge is better than sacrifice made with material things. All action, without exception, finds its completion in knowledge. Outward offerings are good and have their place; understanding is the goal toward which they all point.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.33?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.33 in daily life?
Rituals and routines matter most when they lead to understanding. Ask what each practice is really teaching you.
Reflected on verse 4.33?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.