Bhagavadgeeta - Adhyaya 4
Bhagavadgeeta - Adhyaya 4
Chapter #: 4
Chapter Name: Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga ( ಜ್ಞಾನಕರ್ಮಸಂನ್ಯಾಸಯೋಗಃ)
Total verses (slokas) in this chapter: 42
Adhyaya - 4, Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga Chapter of Gita (here after referred as BG) - In this chapter, Krishna reveals how spiritual knowledge is received by disciplic succession and the reason and nature of His descent into the material worlds. Here He also explains the paths of action and knowledge as well as the wisdom regarding the supreme knowledge which results at the culmination of the two paths. It states that, man has to cleanse his mind only through his Karma and only then he is eligible to gain Jnana.
This chapter has some most popular verses which are quoted often. Few of them are:
Krishna Says: To protect the righteous, to annihilate the wicked, and to reestablish the principles of dharma I appear on this earth, age after age.
ಪರಿತ್ರಾಣಾಯ ಸಾಧೂನಾಂ ವಿನಾಶಾಯ ಚ ದುಷ್ಕೃತಾಮ್ ।
ಧರ್ಮಸಂಸ್ಥಾಪನಾರ್ಥಾಯ ಸಮ್ಭವಾಮಿ ಯುಗೇ ಯುಗೇ ॥ 4-8॥
Krishna Says: The four categories of occupations were created by me according to people’s qualities and activities. Although I am the creator of this system, know me to be the non-doer and eternal.
ಚಾತುರ್ವರ್ಣ್ಯಂ ಮಯಾ ಸೃಷ್ಟಂ ಗುಣಕರ್ಮವಿಭಾಗಶಃ ।
ತಸ್ಯ ಕರ್ತಾರಮಪಿ ಮಾಂ ವಿದ್ಧ್ಯಕರ್ತಾರಮವ್ಯಯಮ್ ॥ 4-13॥
Krishna Says: In this world, there is nothing as purifying as divine knowledge. One who has attained purity of mind through prolonged practice of Yog, receives such knowledge within the heart, in due course of time.
ನ ಹಿ ಜ್ಞಾನೇನ ಸದೃಶಂ ಪವಿತ್ರಮಿಹ ವಿದ್ಯತೇ ।
ತತ್ಸ್ವಯಂ ಯೋಗಸಂಸಿದ್ಧಃ ಕಾಲೇನಾತ್ಮನಿ ವಿನ್ದತಿ ॥ 4-38॥
ಪರಿತ್ರಾಣಾಯ ಸಾಧೂನಾಂ ವಿನಾಶಾಯ ಚ ದುಷ್ಕೃತಾಮ್ ।
ಧರ್ಮಸಂಸ್ಥಾಪನಾರ್ಥಾಯ ಸಮ್ಭವಾಮಿ ಯುಗೇ ಯುಗೇ ॥ 4-8॥
Krishna Says: The four categories of occupations were created by me according to people’s qualities and activities. Although I am the creator of this system, know me to be the non-doer and eternal.
ಚಾತುರ್ವರ್ಣ್ಯಂ ಮಯಾ ಸೃಷ್ಟಂ ಗುಣಕರ್ಮವಿಭಾಗಶಃ ।
ತಸ್ಯ ಕರ್ತಾರಮಪಿ ಮಾಂ ವಿದ್ಧ್ಯಕರ್ತಾರಮವ್ಯಯಮ್ ॥ 4-13॥
Krishna Says: In this world, there is nothing as purifying as divine knowledge. One who has attained purity of mind through prolonged practice of Yog, receives such knowledge within the heart, in due course of time.
ನ ಹಿ ಜ್ಞಾನೇನ ಸದೃಶಂ ಪವಿತ್ರಮಿಹ ವಿದ್ಯತೇ ।
ತತ್ಸ್ವಯಂ ಯೋಗಸಂಸಿದ್ಧಃ ಕಾಲೇನಾತ್ಮನಿ ವಿನ್ದತಿ ॥ 4-38॥
Krishna Says: Those whose faith is deep and who have practiced controlling their mind and senses attain divine knowledge. Through such transcendental knowledge, they quickly attain everlasting supreme peace.
ಶ್ರದ್ಧಾವಾँಲ್ಲಭತೇ ಜ್ಞಾನಂ ತತ್ಪರಃ ಸಂಯತೇನ್ದ್ರಿಯಃ ।
ಜ್ಞಾನಂ ಲಬ್ಧ್ವಾ ಪರಾಂ ಶಾನ್ತಿಮಚಿರೇಣಾಧಿಗಚ್ಛತಿ ॥ 4-39॥
Krishna Says: Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, O Arjun, at that time I manifest myself on earth. The creator of world, uses his own Maya, to be born in his own world.
ಯದಾ ಯದಾ ಹಿ ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಯ ಗ್ಲಾನಿರ್ಭವತಿ ಭಾರತ ।
ಅಭ್ಯುತ್ಥಾನಮಧರ್ಮಸ್ಯ ತದಾತ್ಮಾನಂ ಸೃಜಾಮ್ಯಹಮ್ ॥ 4-7॥
ಯದಾ ಯದಾ ಹಿ ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಯ ಗ್ಲಾನಿರ್ಭವತಿ ಭಾರತ ।
ಅಭ್ಯುತ್ಥಾನಮಧರ್ಮಸ್ಯ ತದಾತ್ಮಾನಂ ಸೃಜಾಮ್ಯಹಮ್ ॥ 4-7॥
MK:
"The 'out' and 'in' are unified into one (Brahma swaroopa is the same out or in). The 'past' and 'future' are one and the same (Time or Kaala is Brahma Swaroopa again). 'Here' and 'There' are the same. Energy is one. In this multi-starer drama, Maya (illusion, often referred as wife of creator) has given hundreds of roles to her husband" - Mankutimma
ಬಹಿರಂತರಗಳೊಂದು ಭೂತಭವ್ಯಗಳೊಂದು ।
ಇಹಪರಂಗಳುಮೊಂದು ಚೈತನ್ಯವೊಂದು ॥
ಬಹುಪಾತ್ರನಾಟಕದಿ ಮಾಯೆ ಶತವೇಷಗಳ ।
ವಹಿಸಲೀವಳು ಪತಿಗೆ – ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ॥ 133॥
Bahira antarangaLondu bhoota bhavyagaLondu
iha parangaLu Ondu chaitanya Ondu
Bahu paatra Naatakadi maaye shata veshagaLa
vahisalu EevaLu patige - Mankutimma
The subtle meaning of the above BG means, God need not be born as a magical being time and again, but he can show his presence via beings through their divine qualities, however momentary they are. For Ex: When Ashwatama kills all of Draupadi kids while they are asleep at night, and when he is caught and brought infront of her, for that moment, Draupdai feels the pain of a mother and wishes no other mother go through this, and pardons him. That - is a quality of god.
To highlight the exact reasoning above, MK has a beautiful poem as below:
MK:
ಮಣಿಮಂತ್ರತಂತ್ರಸಿದ್ಧಿಗಳ ಸಾಕ್ಷ್ಯಗಳೇಕೆ ।
ಮನಗಾಣಿಸಲು ನಿನಗೆ ದೈವದದ್ಭುತವ? ॥
ಮನುಜರೊಳಗಾಗಾಗ ತೋರ್ಪ ಮಹನೀಯಗುಣ ।
ವನುವಾದ ಬೊಮ್ಮನದು – ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ॥ 59॥
maNi mantra tantra siddhigaLa SakshyagaLeke
managaaNisalu ninage daivada adbhutava
manujara OLage aagaaga tOrpa mahaneeyaguNa
anuvaada bommanadu - Mankutimma
"Why does one need to look at gems, hymns, rituals and other accomplishments as proof of God's existence? Isn't the extraordinary noble qualities found in ordinary men, once in a while, enough proof?" - Mankutimma
Below MK throws some light when we are in ethical dilemma (Dharma Sankata):
ಧರ್ಮಸಂಕಟದಿ ಮನ ತಲ್ಲಣಿಸುತಿರುವಂದು ।
ನಿರ್ಮಥಿಸು ನಿನ್ನಾತ್ಮವನೆ ಮಮತೆ ಬಿಟ್ಟು ।।
ನಿರ್ಮಮದ ಸದ್ವಿವೇಕದ ದೀಪಕಿಂತ ನೀಂ ।
ನೆಮ್ಮಲಿನ್ನೇನಿಹುದೋ ? – ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ।। 555 ||
Dharma sankaTadi mana Tallanisu tiruvandu
nirmathisu Nina aatmavane mamatee bittu
nirmamada sadvivEkada deepakinta neen
nemmalu innenihudo - Mankutimma
"when the mind is dismayed by ethical dilemmas, what better comfort exists than subjecting your soul to dispassionate (detached) introspection through the light of clear conscience and wisdom" - Mankutimmaa. To dispassionately introspect - is divine quality, the essence of god!
When Arjuna questions, who are the wise ones then? Krishna answers in below verse: "Those are wise, whose Karmas (duties) are free from desires and material pleasures and who have burnt their reactions of work in the fire of divine knowledge"
ಯಸ್ಯ ಸರ್ವೇ ಸಮಾರಮ್ಭಾಃ ಕಾಮಸಂಕಲ್ಪವರ್ಜಿತಾಃ ।
ಜ್ಞಾನಾಗ್ನಿದಗ್ಧಕರ್ಮಾಣಂ ತಮಾಹುಃ ಪಂಡಿತಂ ಬುಧಾಃ ॥ 4-19॥
DVG simplifies this complex idea in these below simple terms:
MK:
ಶಿಶುಗಳವಲಕ್ಕಿಬೆಲ್ಲದ ಸಂಭ್ರಮವ ನೋಡಿ ।
ಹಸಿವನೊಂದುವನೆ ಹಿರಿಯನು? ನಲಿಯದಿಹನೆ?।।
ವಿಷಯಸಂಸಕ್ತಲೋಕವನ್ ಅನಾಸಕ್ತಿಯಿಂ-।
ದೊಸೆದುನೋಳ್ಪನು ಜಾಣ – ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ।। 679 ||
shishugaLa avalakki bellada sambhrama nodi
hasiva honduvane hiriyanu? naliyadihane?
vishaya samsakta lokavan anaasaktim
hosadu noLpanu jaana - Mankutimma
"Wouldn't an adult feel happy witnessing tiny tots playing with jaggery and puffed rice, instead of feeling hungry? So should one look at the material world of desires with an indifference. He then is the wise man" - Mankutimma
Below MK sheds some light on, how a wise man leads life:
ಪರಮಲಾಭವ ಗಳಿಸೆ ಜೀವಿತವ್ಯಾಪಾರ-।
ಕಿರಬೇಕು ಮೂಲಧನವದು ತತ್ವದೃಷ್ಟಿ ।।
ಚಿರಲಾಭ ಜಗದಾತ್ಮಲೀಲಾವಿಹಾರಸುಖ ।
ಧರೆಯ ಸುಖ ಮೇಲ್ ಬಡ್ಡಿ – ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ।। 749 ||
parama laabhava galise jeevita vyaapaara
irabeku moola dhanavadu tatva dhristi
chiralaaBha jagadaatma leela vihaara sukha
dhareya Sukha mele baddi - Mankutimma
"To reap profits in this business like life, the initial investment has to be noble principles. The returns would then be blissful soul and the earthly enjoyment comes in as an added interest" - Mankutimma
BG:
Krishna Says: For those who are completely absorbed in God-consciousness, the oblation is Brahman, the ladle with which it is offered is Brahman, the act of offering is Brahman, and the sacrificial fire is also Brahman. Such persons, who view everything as God, easily attain him. (Four main aspects in a yagna are: Yagneshwara - the intended god for whom the yagna is performed, Agni - Messenger through whom the havissu is given, Havissu - what is offered, Apekshita - one who performs yagna. All 4 are Brahma. To apply this logic on nitya karma, if we view brahma in everything, we can easily attain him is the gist of this verse.)
ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾರ್ಪಣಂ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮ ಹವಿರ್ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಗ್ನೌ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಣಾ ಹುತಮ್ ।
ಬ್ರಹ್ಮೈವ ತೇನ ಗನ್ತವ್ಯಂ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಕರ್ಮಸಮಾಧಿನಾ ॥ 4-24॥
ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾರ್ಪಣಂ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮ ಹವಿರ್ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಗ್ನೌ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಣಾ ಹುತಮ್ ।
ಬ್ರಹ್ಮೈವ ತೇನ ಗನ್ತವ್ಯಂ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಕರ್ಮಸಮಾಧಿನಾ ॥ 4-24॥
MK:
ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾನುಸಂಧಾನ ಲೋಕಸಂಧಾನದಲಿ ।
ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದರ್ಶನವೆಲ್ಲ ಜೀವರೂಪದಲಿ ।।
ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾನುಭವ ದೇಹಕರಣಾನುಭವಗಳಲಿ ।
ಮರ್ಮವಿದು ಮುಕ್ತಿಗೆಲೊ – ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ।। 753 ||
brahma anusandhaana loka sandhanadali
brahma darshanavella jeeva roopadali
brahma anubhava deha karana anubhavagaLali
marmavidu muktige elo - Mankutimma
"It is Brahma who is in his own creation of this world, It is Brahma whose form is amongst living beings, It is his essence felt through the living being bodies and sense organs. This is the secret to understand to attain liberation" - Mankutimma
Arjuna then asks how to attain this Jnana? Krishna says: When you find a learnt eldery, always question and seek answers to your quests. Keep the curiosity alive to have such questions arise. He will lead you to jnana marga through his answers.
ತದ್ವಿದ್ಧಿ ಪ್ರಣಿಪಾತೇನ ಪರಿಪ್ರಶ್ನೇನ ಸೇವಯಾ ।
ಉಪದೇಕ್ಷ್ಯನ್ತಿ ತೇ ಜ್ಞಾನಂ ಜ್ಞಾನಿನಸ್ತತ್ತ್ವದರ್ಶಿನಃ ॥ 4-34॥
MK: This has a series of such questions to seek truth - from 4 - 9. here are two of them to quote.
ಏನು ಜೀವನದರ್ಥ? ಏನು ಪ್ರಪಂಚಾರ್ಥ? ।
ಏನು ಜೀವಪ್ರಪಂಚಗಳ ಸಂಬಂಧ? ॥
ಕಾಣದಿಲ್ಲಿ‍ರ್ಪುದೇನಾನುಮುಂಟೆ? ಅದೇನು? ।
ಜ್ಞಾನಪ್ರಮಾಣವೇಂ? – ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ॥ ೪ ॥
enu jeevanadartha? enu prapanchartha?
enu jeeva prapanchagaLa sambandha?
kanade illi irpudu enanu unte? adenu?
jnana pramaaNavem? - Mankutimma
Oh! Mankutimma, What is life? What is this world? what is the relation between the two? Is there anything here that we do not see? What is it? Can Cognizance (knowledge) of something be the only proof of its existence?
ದೇವರೆಂಬುದದೇನು ಕಗ್ಗತ್ತಲೆಯ ಗವಿಯೆ? ।
ನಾವರಿಯಲಾರದೆಲ್ಲದರೊಟ್ಟು ಹೆಸರೆ? ॥
ಕಾವನೊರ್ವನಿರಲ್ಕೆ ಜಗದ ಕಥಯೇಕಿಂತು? ।
ಸಾವು ಹುಟ್ಟುಗಳೆನು? – ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ॥ ೫ ॥
devarembudenu? Kaggattaleya gaviye?
Naavariyada elladara ottu hesare?
kaavanorvanu irallike jagada kathe ekintu?
saavu huttu gaLenu? - Mankutimma
O! Mankutimma, is God confined to the dark caves (of sanctum sanctorum)? Is he the representation of all that we cannot understand? If there is one God looking over the entire world, then why is world’s story like this? what is the secret of birth and death?
BG:
In the end of this chapter, Krishna says: O scion of Bharat, the doubts which have arised from your mind through the lack of knowledge and ignorance, kill them with the sword of knowledge. Learn to seek refuge in that knowledge, wake up and get ready to fight.
ತಸ್ಮಾದಜ್ಞಾನಸಮ್ಭೂತಂ ಹೃತ್ಸ್ಥಂ ಜ್ಞಾನಾಸಿನಾತ್ಮನಃ ।
ಛಿತ್ತ್ವೈನಂ ಸಂಶಯಂ ಯೋಗಮಾತಿಷ್ಠೋತ್ತಿಷ್ಠ ಭಾರತ ॥ 4-42॥
MK: This poem in a sense summarizes the essence of this BG chapter - "seek the peace or happiness inside, look inside to find them instead of searching them outside".
ಜಗದೀ ಜಗತ್ತ್ವವನು, ಮಾಯಾವಿಚಿತ್ರವನು ।
ಒಗೆದಾಚೆ ಬಿಸುಡೆಲ್ಲ ಕರಣವೇದ್ಯವನು।।
ಮಿಗುವುದೇಂ? ರೂಪಾಖ್ಯೆಯೊಂದುಮಿಲ್ಲದ ವಸ್ತು ।
ಹೊಗಿಸಾ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಮತಿಯ – ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ।। 899 ||
jagada ii jagattvavanu, mAyA vichitravanu ।
ogedu aache bisuDu ella karaNa vEdyavanu ॥
miguvudEm? rUpAkhyeyondum illada vastu ।
hogisA kaDege matiya – Mankutimma ॥ 899 ॥
“Keep aside all things worldly about this world – the matter, the illusion and so on. Throw away everything that is perceived by senses only. What is left is the universal truth – something that has no form and dependence. Let your mind flow towards that” – Mankutimma
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