Chapter 4, Verse 15
Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
evam—thus; jñātvā—knowing; kṛitam—performed; karma—actions; pūrvaiḥ—of ancient times; api—indeed; mumukṣhubhiḥ—seekers of liberation; kuru—should perform; karma—duty; eva—certainly; tasmāt—therefore; tvam—you; pūrvaiḥ—of those ancient sages; pūrva-taram—in ancient times; kṛitam—performed
English translation
Having known this, the ancient seekers of freedom also performed action; therefore, do thou also perform action, as the ancients did in days of yore.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 4.15
Commentary
Knowing thus that the Self can have no desire for the fruits of actions and cannot be tainted by them; and knowing that no one can be tainted if he works without egoism; attachment and expectation of fruits; do thou perform your duty. If your heart is impure; perform actions for its purification. If you have attained AtmaJnana or the knowledge of the Self; work for the wellbeing of the world. The ancients such as Janaka and others performed actions in the days of yore. So do thou also perform action.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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