Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.36 अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः
श्लोक 4.36
अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः ।
सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि ॥
api cedasi pāpebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ pāpakṛttamaḥ |
sarvaṃ jñānaplavenaiva vṛjinaṃ santariṣyasi ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
यदि तुम सब पापियों से भी अधिक पाप करने वाले हो, तब भी ज्ञान-रूपी नौका के द्वारा तुम सारे पापों को निश्चय ही पार कर जाओगे।
Meaning in English
Even if you were the worst of all sinners, you would cross over all wrongdoing by the boat of knowledge alone.
Bhagavad Gita 4.36 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अपि चेत् | api cet | even if |
| असि | asi | you are |
| पापेभ्यः | pāpebhyaḥ | than sinners |
| सर्वेभ्यः | sarvebhyaḥ | than all |
| पापकृत्तमः | pāpa-kṛt-tamaḥ | the worst wrongdoer |
| सर्वम् | sarvam | all |
| ज्ञानप्लवेन | jñāna-plavena | by the raft of knowledge |
| एव | eva | alone |
| वृजिनम् | vṛjinam | wrongdoing |
| सन्तरिष्यसि | santariṣyasi | you will cross over |
Explanation
Even if you were the worst wrongdoer among all wrongdoers, you would cross over all wrongdoing by the raft of knowledge alone. No past is too heavy, Krishna assures Arjuna, for true understanding to carry you safely beyond it.
This is one of the Gita's most hopeful verses. The image of a raft crossing the ocean of wrongdoing is a classic one in Indian thought. Shankara says that knowledge destroys the root of wrongdoing, which is ignorance of the Self, and so frees even the worst sinner. Ramanuja emphasises that knowledge of the Self removes the accumulated karma of the past. The verse does not excuse wrongdoing; it insists that no one is beyond redemption.
भावार्थ
यदि तुम सब पापियों से भी अधिक पाप करने वाले हो, तब भी ज्ञानरूपी नौका के द्वारा तुम सारे पाप-समुद्र को निश्चय ही पार कर जाओगे।
Living it today
Do not let past mistakes define you. Learning and seeing clearly can carry you to a better way of living.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.36?
Even if you were the worst wrongdoer among all wrongdoers, you would cross over all wrongdoing by the raft of knowledge alone. No past is too heavy, Krishna assures Arjuna, for true understanding to carry you safely beyond it.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.36?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.36 in daily life?
Do not let past mistakes define you. Learning and seeing clearly can carry you to a better way of living.
Reflected on verse 4.36?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.