Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.37 यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन
श्लोक 4.37
यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन ।
ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा ॥
yathaidhāṃsi samiddho'gnirbhasmasātkurute'rjuna |
jñānāgniḥ sarvakarmāṇi bhasmasātkurute tathā ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे अर्जुन! जैसे प्रज्वलित अग्नि लकड़ियों को राख कर देती है, वैसे ही ज्ञान-रूपी अग्नि सभी कर्मों को भस्म कर देती है।
Meaning in English
Just as a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, Arjuna, so the fire of knowledge turns all karma to ashes.
Bhagavad Gita 4.37 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यथा | yathā | just as |
| एधांसि | edhāṃsi | firewood |
| समिद्धः | samiddhaḥ | blazing |
| अग्निः | agniḥ | fire |
| भस्मसात् | bhasmasāt | to ashes |
| कुरुते | kurute | reduces |
| अर्जुन | arjuna | O Arjuna |
| ज्ञानाग्निः | jñāna-agniḥ | the fire of knowledge |
| सर्वकर्माणि | sarva-karmāṇi | all karma |
| भस्मसात् | bhasmasāt | to ashes |
| कुरुते | kurute | reduces |
| तथा | tathā | so |
Explanation
Just as a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, O Arjuna, so the fire of knowledge turns all karma to ashes. The accumulated weight of past action, however great, is consumed when true knowledge of the Self dawns.
The image recalls 4.19, where the wise person's actions are burnt in the fire of knowledge. Shankara explains that knowledge destroys all karma except that which has already begun to bear fruit in this present life (prārabdha), which continues until the body falls. Ramanuja makes a similar distinction. The verse gives a vivid picture of the transforming power of knowledge and supports the call to seek it in 4.34.
भावार्थ
हे अर्जुन, जैसे प्रज्वलित अग्नि ईंधन को जलाकर भस्म कर देती है, वैसे ही ज्ञानरूपी अग्नि सब कर्मों को जलाकर भस्म कर देती है।
Living it today
Real insight can dissolve old patterns that habit alone cannot. Keep seeking understanding of why you do what you do.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.37?
Just as a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, O Arjuna, so the fire of knowledge turns all karma to ashes. The accumulated weight of past action, however great, is consumed when true knowledge of the Self dawns.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.37?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.37 in daily life?
Real insight can dissolve old patterns that habit alone cannot. Keep seeking understanding of why you do what you do.
Reflected on verse 4.37?
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