Bhagavad Gita · 4.1

Chapter 4, Verse 1

Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.

Original Sanskrit verse

श्री भगवानुवाच इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्। विवस्वान् मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत्।।4.1।।

Transliteration

śhrī bhagavān uvācha imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam vivasvān manave prāha manur ikṣhvākave ’bravīt

Word meanings

śhrī-bhagavān uvācha—the Supreme Lord Shree Krishna said; imam—this; vivasvate—to the Sun-god; yogam—the science of Yog; proktavān—taught; aham—I; avyayam—eternal; vivasvān—Sun-god; manave—to Manu, the original progenitor of humankind; prāha—told; manuḥ—Manu; ikṣhvākave—to Ikshvaku, first king of the Solar dynasty; abravīt—instructed

English translation

The Blessed Lord said, "I taught this imperishable Yoga to Vivasvan; he then told it to Manu; Manu proclaimed it to Ikshvaku.

— Swami Sivananda

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Commentary

Vivasvan means the sun. Ikshvaku was the son of Manu. Ikshvaku was the reputed ancestor of the solar dynasty of Kshatriyas. This Yoga is said to be imperishable because the result or fruit; i.e.; Moksha; that can be attained through it is imperishable. If the rulers of dominions possess a knowledge of the Yoga taught by Me in the preceding two discourses; they can protect the Brahmanas and rule their kingdom with justice. So I taught this Yoga to the Sungod in the beginning of evolution.

Commentary by Swami Sivananda

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