Chapter 2, Verse 39
Sankhya Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
eṣhā—hitherto; te—to you; abhihitā—explained; sānkhye—by analytical knowledge; buddhiḥ yoge—by the yog of intellect; tu—indeed; imām—this; śhṛiṇu—listen; buddhyā—by understanding; yuktaḥ—united; yayā—by which; pārtha—Arjun, the son of Pritha; karma-bandham—bondage of karma; prahāsyasi—you shall be released from
English translation
This, which has been taught to you, is wisdom concerning Sankhya. Now listen to wisdom concerning Yoga, endowed with which, O Arjuna, you shall cast off the bonds of action.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 2.39
Commentary
Lord Krishna taught Jnana (knowledge) to Arjuna till now. (Sankhya Yoga is the path of Vedanta or Jnana Yoga; which treats of the nature of the Atman or the Self and the methods to attain Selfrealisation. It is not the Sankhya philosophy of sage Kapila.) He is now giving to teach Arjuna the technique or secret of Karma Yoga endowed with which he (or anybody else) can break through the bonds of Karma. The Karma Yogi should perform work without expectation of fruits of his actions; without the idea of agency (or the notin I do this); without attachment; after annihilating or going beyond all the pairs of opposites such as heat and cold; gain and loss; victoyr and defeat; etc. Dharma and Adharma; or merit and demerit will not touch that Karma Yogi who works without attachment and egoism. The Karma Yogi consecrates all his works and their fruits as offerings unto the Lord (Isvararpanam) and thus obtains the grace of the Lord (Isvaraprasada).
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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