4.1
Lord Krishna said:
I taught this science of yoga to the sun god Vivasvan, who then taught it to Manu, the father of mankind, who in turn taught it to King Ikshvaku.
4.2
Thus the divine science was handed down to successions of royal sages, who knew the truth of it, for it had become their tradition. But over the long passage of time, this tradition was lost to the world.
4.3
It is this same yoga that I impart to you today, Arjuna, because you have declared yourself to be my disciple as well as my friend, and I believe that you will understand this transcendental science — the supreme secret.
4.4
Arjuna said, “You were born long after Vivasvan’s death. How could you have instructed him in this science?”
4.5
Lord Krishna said:
I have lived many lives, Arjuna. So have you. I am aware of all of mine, but you remember none of yours.
4.6
I am the unborn Lord of All That Is, and That Which I Am never perishes. Yet I choose to appear mortal from time to time, and self-manifest into a world of my own creation.
4.7
Whenever and wherever spirituality decays and materialism reigns, I Will myself into form.
4.8
To protect the righteous, destroy the wicked, and reestablish the principles of divine science, I incarnate in every age.
4.9
Those who grasp the secret of my transcendental nature and manifest appearances, need never take another birth, but will become as Me.
4.10
Freeing themselves of desire, fear and anger, taking refuge in Me, being fully absorbed in Me, many souls have become as I Am.
4.11
In whatever way men seek me, I will meet them there. Any path they take in worship, is My path back to them. Whatever road they travel, leads to Me at last.
4.12
Those desiring worldly success through their actions do well to make sacrifices to the demigods and align with the forces of nature. In this way, material rewards manifest quickly.
4.13
In accordance with the three gunas of nature and the karma of birth, I have described the four categories of worldly activity — spiritual teacher, soldier, merchant, and servant. Though I am the author of these divisions, I myself do nothing and am eternally changeless.
4.14
My actions happen without doing and I am untouched by them. I desire nothing and am unattached to outcomes. One who divines the Truth of Me, does not become entangled in the web of action and reward.
4.15
In ancient times, seekers of salvation understood this, and following my example realized Liberation. Therefore, perform your actions with the same knowledge as the ancient sages.
4.16
What is action and what is non-action? Even the wise are unsure. But I will now explain it to you, and understanding the nature of action and non-action, you can free yourself from the evil of bondage.
4.17
Indeed, the law of action is mysterious. You must understand first that there are three kinds of action: right action, vain action, and the action of non-action. Though he engages in activities, he is not involved.
4.18
One who sees the action in non-action, and the not-doing of action, is among the wisest of men.
4.19
One whose every undertaking is free of the desire for reward, whose actions are purified by the fire of wisdom, is rightly called a sage.
4.20
Having relinquished desire for the fruits of action, the sage depends on nothing and is always content. Though he may be engaged in great activity, he does not do a thing.
4.21
Acting without desire or expectation, claiming no possessions, the sage enjoys the necessities of life without incurring sin.
4.22
Exerting no effort, the sage is content with whatever comes or does not come to him of its own. He does not covet what others have or envy their achievements. He is equally unmoved by success and failure, and in every way is free of the delusion of opposites. Though he performs actions, he claims no ownership of the results.
4.23
One who is unattached to outcomes moves freely about the world, his mind transcendent and at peace. Performing his work as an offering only, his actions leave no trace.
4.24
The act of sacrifice is God. The sacrificial offering is God. The sacrificial fire is God. The one who makes the sacrifice is God. He who sees everything is God, cannot miss Him.
4.25
Some yogis offer sacrifices to the demigods, seeking their blessings. Others, in perfect worship, offer themselves to the fire of Truth.
4.26
Some offer the enjoyment of sense-objects, such as music and sound, to the sacrificial fire of restraint. Others offer the senses themselves, such as hearing, to the fire.
4.27
Those who are interested in Self-Realization, offer not only the senses, but the mind and the breath of life to the fire.
4.28
Sacrifice for some means surrendering wealth and possessions. For others it means performing austerities or practicing the eightfold path of yoga. Others take strict vows and endlessly study scriptures.
4.29
There are even those who offer the movement of breath as a sacrifice, stopping between an outgoing breath and an incoming breath and remaining in a breathless trance. Still others curtail eating and offer the process of food becoming life-energy as a sacrifice.
4.30
All these practitioners, though different in approach, are acting in understanding of the principle of sacrifice, and are thus cleansing themselves of that which keeps them from God-ness.
4.31
Those who know the secret of sacrifice — and perform it — feast on the nectar of its remnants and realize the Eternal State. Those who refuse to make offerings are not fit even for this world, let alone the next.
4.32
All these various forms of sacrifice are described in the Vedas, and they all arise from different types of karma. Understanding the whole of this leads to Liberation.
4.33
Understand, Arjuna, that sacrifices made with full knowledge are far superior to mechanical sacrifices rooted only in belief. All actions become perfect when performed by the wise.
4.34
To realize Truth, find a spiritual master. Question him respectfully and render him service. A Self-Realized soul can guide you to Truth because he embodies Truth.
4.35
When Truth makes itself known, Arjuna, you will never again descend into ignorance. You will see for yourself that every living being — and the whole of creation — is but an illusion swirling in Yourself, in Me, in the Supreme.
4.36
Even the greatest of sinners can be carried across the ocean of ignorance on the divine ferryboat of Truth.
4.37
Just as fire turns wood into ashes, so does Truth turn sin into vapor.
4.38
Nothing in this universe purifies like Truth. One who has been purified by Truth sees that Truth is Himself.
4.39
A sincere aspirant who is in control of his senses, whose mind is fixed on the Divine, is ripe for a direct experience of Truth. The experience of Truth brings great peace.
4.40
But the ignorant and faithless, whose doubt prevents effort, shall not know God Consciousness. Those who ignore the whisperings of Truth find no happiness, in this world or beyond.
4.41
One who knows the fruits of effort are not his, whose doubts take him deeper into the yoga of knowledge, whose actions are born of meditation — such a one no longer creates karma.
4.42
Therefore, Arjuna, slash with the sword of knowledge the doubts in your heart engendered by your own ignorance. Armed with the yoga of knowledge and action, stand up and fight!