Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.5 बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन
श्लोक 4.5
श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन ।
तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप ॥
śrībhagavānuvāca |
bahūni me vyatītāni janmāni tava cārjuna |
tānyahaṃ veda sarvāṇi na tvaṃ vettha parantapa ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
श्रीभगवान ने कहा: हे अर्जुन! मेरे और तुम्हारे अनेक जन्म बीत चुके हैं। उन सबको मैं जानता हूँ, पर हे परंतप! तुम उन्हें नहीं जानते।
Meaning in English
The Blessed Lord said: Many births of Mine have passed, and of yours too, Arjuna. I know them all, but you do not know them, O scorcher of foes.
Bhagavad Gita 4.5 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| बहूनि | bahūni | many |
| मे | me | of mine |
| व्यतीतानि | vyatītāni | have passed |
| जन्मानि | janmāni | births |
| तव | tava | of yours |
| च | ca | and |
| अर्जुन | arjuna | O Arjuna |
| तानि | tāni | them |
| अहम् | aham | I |
| वेद | veda | know |
| सर्वाणि | sarvāṇi | all |
| न | na | not |
| त्वम् | tvam | you |
| वेत्थ | vettha | know |
| परन्तप | parantapa | O scorcher of foes |
Explanation
Krishna answers that both he and Arjuna have passed through many births. The difference is that Krishna remembers every one of them, while Arjuna remembers none. Arjuna's view is limited to this single life; Krishna's sight extends across all of them.
The verse affirms rebirth for every being and at the same time marks Krishna out from ordinary beings. Shankara explains that Arjuna's knowledge is covered by the effects of past action and ignorance, while the Lord's knowledge is unobstructed because he is eternally pure and free. Ramanuja likewise stresses the Lord's all-knowing nature. The answer prepares for the next verse, which explains how the unborn Lord can take birth at all.
भावार्थ
श्रीभगवान बोले — हे अर्जुन, मेरे और तुम्हारे बहुत से जन्म बीत चुके हैं। हे परन्तप, मैं उन सब जन्मों को जानता हूँ, पर तुम उन्हें नहीं जानते।
Living it today
Our view of any situation is partial. Hold your judgements loosely and stay open to a wider picture than the one you can see.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.5?
Krishna answers that both he and Arjuna have passed through many births. The difference is that Krishna remembers every one of them, while Arjuna remembers none. Arjuna's view is limited to this single life; Krishna's sight extends across all of them.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.5?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.5 in daily life?
Our view of any situation is partial. Hold your judgements loosely and stay open to a wider picture than the one you can see.
Reflected on verse 4.5?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.