Adhyāya 26

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

Swami GambiranandaThe Blessed Lord said, "I imparted this imperishable Yoga to Vivasvan, who then taught it to Manu, who in turn transmitted it to Iksavaku.

Swami AdidevanandaThe Lord said, "I taught this imperishable Yoga to Vivasvan; Vivasvan taught it to Manu; Manu declared it to Iksvaku."

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe Bhagavad said, "This changeless Yoga I had properly taught thus to Vivasvat; Vivasvat correctly told it to Manu; and Manu declared it to Iksvaku."

Shri Purohit SwamiLord Shri Krishna said: I taught this imperishable philosophy to Vivaswān, the founder of the Sun dynasty; Vivaswān gave it to Manu, the lawgiver, and Manu to King Ikshvāku.

Swami SivanandaThis, handed down in regular succession by the royal sages, was known. This Yoga, however, has been lost here over time, O Parantapa (burner of the foes).

Swami GambiranandaThe king-sages knew this yoga, which was received in regular succession. That yoga, O destroyer of foes, is now lost due to a long lapse of time.

Swami AdidevanandaThus handed down in succession, the royal sages knew this (Karma Yoga). But with a long lapse of time, O Arjuna, that Yoga was lost to the world.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThus, the regal sages knew this, which was received in regular succession. Over time, however, this Yoga has been lost, O scorcher of enemies!

Shri Purohit SwamiThe Divine Kings knew it, for it was their tradition; then, after a long time, it was at last forgotten.

Swami SivanandaThat same ancient yoga has been today taught to you by me, for you are my devotee and my friend; it is the supreme secret.

Swami GambiranandaThat ancient Yoga itself, which is this, has been taught to you by Me today, considering you to be My devotee and friend, for this Yoga is a profound secret.

Swami AdidevanandaIt is the same ancient Yoga that I am now teaching you, for you are My devotee and My friend. For, this is a supreme mystery.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe same ancient Yoga has now been taught to you by Me, on the grounds that you are both My devotee and friend. This is the highest secret.

Shri Purohit SwamiIt is the same ancient path that I have now revealed to you, for you are my devotee and my friend. It is the supreme secret.

Swami SivanandaArjuna said, "Later was Thy birth, and prior to it was the birth of Vivasvan (the Sun); how am I to understand that Thou hast taught this Yoga from the beginning?"

Swami GambiranandaArjuna said, "Your birth was later, whereas Vivasvan's birth was earlier. How am I to understand that You instructed him in the beginning?"

Swami AdidevanandaArjuna said, "Your birth was later, and Vivasvan's birth was earlier. How then can I understand that you taught it in the beginning?"

Dr. S. SankaranarayanArjuna said, "Your birth is later, while the birth of Vivasvat is earlier; how am I then to understand that You had properly taught him this in the beginning?"

Shri Purohit SwamiArjuna asked: My Lord! Vyasawana was born before You; how then can You have revealed it to him?

Swami SivanandaThe Blessed Lord said, "Many births of Mine have passed, as well as of thine, O Arjuna; I know them all, but thou knowest not, O Parantapa (scorcher of foes)."

Swami GambiranandaThe Blessed Lord said, "O Arjuna, many lives of Mine have passed, and so have yours. I know them all, but you do not know, O scorcher of enemies!"

Swami AdidevanandaThe Lord said, "Many of My births have passed, O Arjuna, as have yours. I know them all, but you do not know them."

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe Bhagavat said, "O Arjuna, many births of Mine as well as yours have passed. All of them I know, but you do not, O scorcher of foes!"

Shri Purohit SwamiLord Shri Krishna replied: I have been born again and again, from time to time; thou too, O Arjuna! My births are known to me, but yours are unknown to you.

Swami SivanandaThough I am unborn and of imperishable nature, and though I am the Lord of all beings, yet, governing my own nature, I am born by my own Maya.

Swami GambiranandaThough I am birthless and undecaying by nature, and the Lord of beings, yet by subjugating My Prakriti, I take birth through My own Maya.

Swami AdidevanandaThough I am birthless and of immutable nature, and the Lord of all beings, yet by employing My own Nature (Prakrti), I am born out of My own free will.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThough I am unborn and changeless Self, though I am the Lord of all beings, yet, presiding over My own nature, I take birth by My own trick of illusion.

Shri Purohit SwamiThere is no beginning to Me. Though I am imperishable and the Lord of all that exists, I manifest Myself by My own will and power.

Swami SivanandaWhenever there is a decline of righteousness and an increase of unrighteousness, O Arjuna, then I manifest Myself.

Swami GambiranandaO scion of the Bharata dynasty, whenever there is a decline in virtue and an increase in vice, then I manifest Myself.

Swami AdidevanandaWhenever there is a decline of Dharma, O Arjuna, and an uprising of Adharma, then I incarnate myself.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanFor, whenever there is a decay of righteousness and the rise of unrighteousness, then, O descendant of Bharata, I send forth that which the Self is unimportant.

Shri Purohit SwamiWhenever spirituality decays and materialism is rampant, then, O Arjuna, I reincarnate myself.

Swami SivanandaFor the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of righteousness, I am born in every age.

Swami GambiranandaFor the protection of the pious, the destruction of the evil-doers, and the establishment of virtue, I manifest myself in every age.

Swami AdidevanandaFor the protection of the good and the destruction of the wicked, for the establishment of Dharma, I am born from age to age.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanFor the protection of the good people, and for the destruction of evildoers, and for the purpose of firmly establishing righteousness, I take birth in every age.

Shri Purohit SwamiTo protect the righteous, to destroy the wicked, and to establish the kingdom of God, I am reborn from age to age.

Swami SivanandaHe who thus knows, in their true light, My divine birth and actions, having abandoned the body, is not born again; he comes to Me, O Arjuna.

Swami GambiranandaHe who thus knows truly the divine birth and actions of Mine does not get rebirth after casting off the body. He attains Me, O Arjuna.

Swami AdidevanandaHe who thus knows in truth My divine birth and actions does not get rebirth after leaving the body; he will come to Me, O Arjuna.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanWhoever knows correctly the divine birth and action of Mine, he, upon abandoning the body, does not go to rebirth, but goes to Me, O Arjuna!

Shri Purohit SwamiHe who realizes the divine truth concerning My birth and life does not take birth again; and when he leaves his body, he becomes one with Me.

Swami SivanandaFreed from attachment, fear, and anger, absorbed in Me, taking refuge in Me, purified by the fire of knowledge, many have attained My Being.

Swami GambiranandaMany who were devoid of attachment, fear, and anger, who were absorbed in Me, who had taken refuge in Me, and were purified by the austerity of knowledge, have attained My state.

Swami AdidevanandaFreed from desire, fear, and wrath, absorbed in Me, depending upon Me, purified by the austerity of knowledge, many have attained My state.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanMany persons, who are free from passion, fear, and anger; are full of Me; take refuge in Me; and have become pure through the austerity of wisdom—they have come to My being.

Shri Purohit SwamiMany have merged their existences in Mine, being freed from desire, fear, and anger, always filled with Me and purified by the illuminating flame of self-abnegation.

Swami SivanandaIn whatever way men approach Me, even so do I reward them; My path do men tread in all ways, O Arjuna.

Swami GambiranandaAccording to the manner in which they approach Me, I favor them in that same manner. O son of Partha, humans follow My path in every way.

Swami AdidevanandaWhoever resorts to Me in any manner, I favor them in the same manner; men experience Me alone in different ways, O Arjuna.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe way in which people resort to Me, in the same way I favor them. O son of Prtha, all kinds of people follow My path.

Shri Purohit SwamiHowever men try to worship Me, I welcome them. Whatever path they take, it leads to Me in the end.

Swami SivanandaThose who long for success in action in this world sacrifice to the gods; for success is quickly attained by men through action.

Swami GambiranandaLonging for the fruition of their actions (of their rites and duties), they worship the gods here. For, in the human world, success from action comes quickly.

Swami AdidevanandaThose who desire the fruits of their ritualistic acts, sacrifice to the gods here; for, success quickly accrues in the world of men.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThose who desire success in their actions perform sacrifices, intending them for the deities. For, the success born of ritualistic actions is quick in the world of men.

Shri Purohit SwamiThose who seek success worship the Powers, and their actions in this world bear immediate fruit.

Swami SivanandaThe fourfold caste has been created by Me according to the differentiation of Guna and Karma; though I am the author of it, know Me as non-doer and immutable.

Swami GambiranandaThe four castes have been created by Me through a classification of the gunas and duties. Even though I am the agent of that (act of classification), still know Me to be non-agentive and changeless.

Swami AdidevanandaThe system of four stations was created by Me, according to the distinction of Gunas and Karma. Though I am their creator, know Me to be non-agent and immutable.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanI have created the four-fold caste structure according to the division of their respective qualities and actions. Though I am the creator of this, know Me as the changeless, non-creator.

Shri Purohit SwamiThe four divisions of society—the wise, the soldier, the merchant, and the laborer—were created by Me, according to the natural distribution of qualities and instincts. I am the author of them, though I Myself do not act and am changeless.

Swami SivanandaActions do not taint Me, nor do I have a desire for the fruit of actions. He who knows Me thus is not bound by actions.

Swami GambiranandaActions do not taint Me; for I have no hankering for the results of actions. One who knows Me thus, does not become bound by their actions.

Swami AdidevanandaWorks cannot contaminate Me. There is no desire for the fruits of actions in Me. He who understands this is not bound by actions.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanActions do not stain me, nor do I have a desire for the fruits of them either. Whoever understands me in this way is not bound by their actions.

Shri Purohit SwamiMy actions do not bind Me, nor do I desire anything that they can bring. He who thus realizes Me is not enslaved by action.

Swami SivanandaHaving 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 GambiranandaThus having known, even the ancient seekers of liberation performed their duties. Therefore, you should undertake action as was performed earlier by the ancients.

Swami AdidevanandaKnowing thus, even ancient seekers of liberation did their work. Therefore, do your work only as the ancients did in olden times.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanRealizing in this fashion, ancient seekers of salvation also undertook action. Hence, you too should, by all means, perform the action that was performed by the ancients.

Shri Purohit SwamiIn the light of wisdom, our ancestors who sought deliverance performed their acts. Act thou also as our fathers of old did.

Swami SivanandaWhat is action? What is inaction? Even the wise are confused about this. Therefore, I shall teach you the nature of action and inaction, by knowing which you will be liberated from the evil of Samsara, the wheel of birth and death.

Swami GambiranandaEven the intelligent are confounded as to what is action and what is inaction. I shall tell you of that action, knowing which you will become free from evil.

Swami AdidevanandaWhat is action? What is non-action? Even the wise are puzzled in respect of these. I shall declare to you that kind of action, knowing which you will be freed from evil.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanEven the wise are perplexed about what is action and what is non-action; I shall properly teach you the action, by knowing which you will be freed from evil.

Shri Purohit SwamiWhat is action and what is inaction? This is a question that has bewildered the wise. But I will declare to you the philosophy of action, and knowing it, you will be free from evil.

Swami SivanandaFor verily, the true nature of action enjoined by the scriptures should be known, as well as that of forbidden or unlawful action, and of inaction; the nature of action is hard to understand.

Swami GambiranandaFor there is something to be known even about action, and something to be known about prohibited action; and something needs to be known about inaction. The true nature of action is inscrutable.

Swami AdidevanandaFor, there is what ought to be known in action; likewise, there is what ought to be known in multi-form action; and there is what ought to be understood in non-action. Thus, mysterious is the way of action.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanSomething has to be understood about good action; something has to be understood about wrong action; and something has to be understood about non-action. It is difficult to comprehend the way of action.

Shri Purohit SwamiIt is necessary to consider what is right action, what is wrong action, and what is inaction, for the law of action is mysterious.

Swami SivanandaHe who sees inaction in action and action in inaction, he is wise among men; he is a yogi and performer of all actions.

Swami GambiranandaHe who finds inaction in action, and action in inaction, is the wise one [possessed of the knowledge of Brahman] among men; they are engaged in yoga and are performers of all actions!

Swami AdidevanandaHe who sees inaction in action and also action in inaction is wise among men. He is fit for release and has accomplished all actions.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanHe who finds non-action in action, and action in non-action, is an intelligent one among men and is said to be a performer or destroyer of all actions.

Shri Purohit SwamiHe who can see inaction in action, and action in inaction, is the wisest among men. He is a saint, even though he still acts.

Swami SivanandaHe whose undertakings are all devoid of desires and selfish purposes, and whose actions have been burned by the fire of knowledge, the wise call him a sage.

Swami GambiranandaThe wise call him learned whose actions are all devoid of desires and their thoughts, and whose actions have been burned away by the fire of wisdom.

Swami AdidevanandaHe whose every undertaking is free from desire and delusive identification (of the body with the self), whose actions are burned up in the fire of knowledge—the wise describe him as a sage.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanHe whose every exertion is devoid of intention for desirable objects, and whose actions are burnt up by the fire of wisdom—the wise call such a person a man of learning.

Shri Purohit SwamiThe wise call him a sage, for whatever he undertakes is free from the motive of desire, and his deeds are purified by the fire of wisdom.

Swami SivanandaHaving abandoned attachment to the fruits of the action, ever content, depending on nothing, he does not do anything even while being engaged in activity.

Swami GambiranandaHaving given up attachment to the results of action, he who is ever-content, dependent on nothing, does not really do anything even though he is engaged in action.

Swami AdidevanandaHaving renounced attachment to the fruits of their actions, ever contented with the eternal self, and dependent on none, one does not act at all, even while being engaged in action.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanBy abandoning attachment to the fruits of actions, remaining ever content and depending on nothing, that person, even though they are engaged in action, does not perform anything at all.

Shri Purohit SwamiHaving surrendered all claim to the results of his actions, he is always contented and independent; in reality, he does nothing, even though he appears to be acting.

Swami SivanandaWithout hope, controlling the mind and the self, having abandoned all covetousness, and performing only bodily actions, one incurs no sin.

Swami GambiranandaOne who is without solicitation, who has the mind and senses under control, and is totally without possessions, incurs no sin by performing actions merely for the maintenance of the body.

Swami AdidevanandaFree from desire, his intellect and mind controlled, having given up all possessions, and doing bodily work only, he is not subject to evil.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanHaving rid of cravings, controlling the mind and body, abandoning all sense of possession, and performing actions with the body alone, one does not incur any sin.

Shri Purohit SwamiExpecting nothing, his mind and personality controlled, without greed, doing only bodily actions; though he acts, he remains untainted.

Swami SivanandaContent with what comes to him without effort, free from the pairs of opposites and envy, even-minded in success and failure, he acts yet is not bound.

Swami GambiranandaRemaining satisfied with what comes unasked for, having transcended the dualities, being free from spite, and balanced under success and failure, he is not bound even by performing actions.

Swami AdidevanandaContent with what chance may bring, rising above the pairs of opposites, free from ill-will, even-minded in success and failure, he acts, yet is not bound.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanRemaining content with the gain brought by chance, transcending the dualities (pairs of opposites), entertaining no jealousy, and remaining equal in success and in failure, he does not get bound, even when he acts.

Shri Purohit SwamiContent with what comes to him without any effort of his own, rising above the pairs of opposites, free from envy, his mind balanced in both success and failure; though he acts, the consequences do not bind him.

Swami SivanandaTo one who is devoid of attachment, who is liberated, whose mind is established in knowledge, and who works for the sake of sacrifice (for the sake of God), the whole action is dissolved.

Swami GambiranandaThe liberated person, who has rid themselves of attachment and whose mind is fixed in knowledge, has their actions undertaken for a sacrifice completely destroyed.

Swami AdidevanandaOne whose attachments have been relinquished, who is liberated, whose mind is established in knowledge, and who works only for sacrifices—their Karma is entirely dissolved.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe action is completely dissolved in the case of the person who undertakes it for the sake of sacrifice; who is free from attachment and has been liberated; and whose mind is fixed in wisdom.

Shri Purohit SwamiHe who is without attachment, free, his mind centered in wisdom, and his actions done as a sacrifice, leave no trace behind.

Swami SivanandaBrahman is the oblation; Brahman is the melted butter (ghee); by Brahman is the oblation poured into the fire of Brahman; Brahman indeed shall be attained by one who always sees Brahman in action.

Swami GambiranandaThe ladle is Brahman, the oblations are Brahman, and the offering is poured by Brahman into the fire of Brahman. He who has concentration on Brahman as the objective can only reach Brahman.

Swami AdidevanandaBrahman is the instrument with which to offer; Brahman is the oblation. By Brahman is the oblation offered into the fire of Brahman; Brahman alone is to be attained by one who meditates on Him in their works.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe Brahman-oblation that is to be offered to the Brahman is poured into the Brahman-fire by the Brahman; it is nothing but the Brahman that is to be attained by one whose deep contemplation is the Brahman-action.

Shri Purohit SwamiFor him, the sacrifice is the Spirit; the Spirit and the offering are one; it is the Spirit that is sacrificed in its own fire, and the man, even in action, is united with God, since his mind never ceases to be fixed on Him while performing the act.

Swami SivanandaSome yogis perform sacrifice to the gods alone; while others, who have realized the Self, offer the Self as sacrifice in the fire of Brahman alone.

Swami GambiranandaOther yogis undertake sacrifice to gods alone, while others offer the Self as a sacrifice by themselves, in the fire of Brahman.

Swami AdidevanandaSome yogis resort only to the sacrifice relating to gods; others offer sacrifice into the fire of Brahman solely through sacrifice.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanCertain other men of Yoga are completely devoted to yajna, connected with the devas, and offer that yajna, simply as a yajna, into the insatiable fire of the Brahman.

Shri Purohit SwamiSome sages sacrifice to the powers, while others offer themselves on the altar of the eternal.

Swami SivanandaSome again offer the organ of hearing and other senses as a sacrifice in the fire of restraint; others offer sound and other objects of the senses as a sacrifice in the fire of the senses.

Swami GambiranandaOthers offer their organs, such as their ears, etc., in the fires of self-control. Others offer the objects, such as sound, etc., in the fires of their organs.

Swami AdidevanandaOthers offer as oblations hearing and other senses into the fires of restraint. Some others offer as oblations the objects of the senses, such as sound and the rest, into the fires of their senses.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanOthers offer their sense-organs such as the sense of hearing and the rest into the fires of restraint; others offer objects such as sound and the rest into the fires of their sense-organs.

Shri Purohit SwamiSome sacrifice their physical senses in the fire of self-control; others offer up their contact with external objects in the sacrificial fire of their senses.

Swami SivanandaOthers again sacrifice all the functions of the senses and those of the breath (vital energy, or Prana) in the fire of the Yoga of self-restraint, kindled by knowledge.

Swami GambiranandaOthers offer all the activities of the organs and the activities of the vital force into the fire of the yoga of self-control, lit by Knowledge.

Swami AdidevanandaSome again offer as an oblation the functions of the senses and the activity of the vital breaths into the fire of the Yoga of restraint of the mind, kindled by knowledge.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanSome others offer all the actions of their sense-organs and the actions of their life-breath into the fire of the Yoga of self-control, ignited by wisdom.

Shri Purohit SwamiOthers again sacrifice their activities and vitality in the spiritual fire of self-abnegation, kindled by wisdom.

Swami SivanandaOthers again offer wealth, austerity, and Yoga as sacrifice, while ascetics of self-restraint and rigid vows offer the study of scriptures and knowledge as sacrifice.

Swami GambiranandaSimilarly, others are performers of sacrifices through wealth, through austerity, through yoga, and through study and knowledge; others are ascetics with severe vows.

Swami AdidevanandaSelf-controlled and firm of resolve, others perform the sacrifice of material objects or austerities or yoga; while others offer their scriptural study and knowledge.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThese are the performers of sacrifices with material objects, the performers of sacrifices with penance, and the performers of sacrifices with Yoga. Likewise, there are other ascetics with rigid vows whose sacrifices are the svadhyaya-knowledge.

Shri Purohit SwamiOthers offer as their sacrifice wealth, austerities, and meditation. Monks, wedded to their vows, renounce their scriptural learning and even their spiritual powers.

Swami SivanandaOthers offer as sacrifice the outgoing breath into the incoming, and the incoming into the outgoing, restraining the flow of the outgoing and the incoming breaths, solely absorbed in the restraint of the breath.

Swami GambiranandaConstantly practicing control of the vital forces by stopping the movements of the outgoing and incoming breaths, some offer as a sacrifice the outgoing breath into the incoming breath; while still others, the incoming breath into the outgoing breath.

Swami AdidevanandaOthers, with restricted diets, are devoted to the control of breath. Some sacrifice the inward breath in the outward breath; similarly, others sacrifice the outward breath in the inward breath. Some others, stopping the flow of both the inward and outward breaths, sacrifice the inward and outward breaths.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanSome sages offer the prana into the apana; likewise, others offer the apana into the prana. Having controlled both the courses of the prana and apana, the same sages, with their desires fulfilled by the above activities, and with their food restricted, offer the pranas into pranas. All these persons know what sacrifices are and have their sins destroyed by them.

Shri Purohit SwamiThere are some who practice controlling the vital energy and governing the subtle forces of prana and apana, thereby sacrificing their prana to apana, or their apana to prana.

Swami SivanandaOthers who regulate their diet offer life-breaths in each life-breath. All these are knowers of sacrifice, whose sins are destroyed through sacrifice.

Swami GambiranandaOthers, having their food regulated, offer the vital forces in the vital forces. All of them are knowers of the sacrifice and have their sins destroyed by the sacrifice.

Swami AdidevanandaAll these know the meaning of sacrifices, and through sacrifices, their sins are eradicated. Those who subsist on the ambrosial food, the remnants of sacrifices, go to eternal Brahman.

Dr. S. Sankaranarayan- . [Some sages] offer the prana into the apana; likewise, others offer the apana into the prana. Having controlled both the courses of the prana and apana, the same sages, with their desires fulfilled by the above activities, and with their food restricted, offer the pranas into pranas. All these persons know what sacrifices are and have their sins destroyed by them.

Shri Purohit SwamiOthers, controlling their diet, sacrifice their worldly life to the spiritual fire. All understand the principle of sacrifice, and by it their sins are washed away.

Swami SivanandaThose who eat the remnants of the sacrifice, which are like nectar, go to the eternal Brahman. This world is not for the one who does not perform sacrifice; how then can they have the other, O Arjuna?

Swami GambiranandaThose who partake of the nectar left over after a sacrifice reach the eternal Brahman. This world ceases to exist for one who does not perform sacrifices; what, then, to speak of the other world, O best among the Kurus (Arjuna)!

Swami AdidevanandaThis world is not for one who makes no sacrifice; how then for the other, O Arjuna?

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe eaters of the sacrifice-ordained nectar attain the eternal Brahman. This world is not for a non-sacrificer; how can there be the other? O best of the Kurus!

Shri Purohit SwamiTasting the nectar of immortality, as the reward of sacrifice, they reach the Eternal. This world is not for those who refuse to sacrifice; nor is the other world.

Swami SivanandaThus, manifold sacrifices are spread out before Brahman at the face of Brahman. Know them all to be born of action, and thus knowing, you shall be liberated.

Swami GambiranandaThus, various kinds of sacrifices are spread at the mouth of the Vedas. Know them all to be born of action. Knowing this, you will become liberated.

Swami AdidevanandaThus, many forms of sacrifices have been spread out as means of reaching Brahman (individual self in its own nature). Know that all of these are born of actions. Knowing thus, you will be free.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThus, sacrifices of many varieties have been elaborated upon by the mouth of the Brahman. Know them all as having sprung from actions. By knowing thus, you shall be liberated.

Shri Purohit SwamiIn this way, other sacrifices may also be undertaken for the sake of the Spirit. Know that they all depend on action. Knowing this, you will be free.

Swami SivanandaSuperior is wisdom-sacrifice to the sacrifice with objects, O Parantapa (scorcher of the foes). All actions in their entirety, O Arjuna, culminate in knowledge.

Swami GambiranandaO destroyer of enemies, knowledge considered as a sacrifice is greater than sacrifices requiring materials. O son of Prtha, all actions in their totality culminate in knowledge.

Swami AdidevanandaThe sacrifice of knowledge is superior to material sacrifice. O Arjuna, all actions and everything else culminate in knowledge.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe sacrifice of knowledge is superior to the sacrifice of material things. O son of Prtha, destroyer of enemies! All actions, leaving nothing behind, come to an end in knowledge.

Shri Purohit SwamiThe sacrifice of wisdom is superior to any material sacrifice, for, O Arjuna, the pinnacle of action is always realization.

Swami SivanandaKnow that the wise who have realized the truth will instruct thee in that knowledge through long prostration, supplication, and service.

Swami GambiranandaKnow that the wise ones who have realized the Truth will impart the Knowledge to you through prostration, inquiry, and service.

Swami AdidevanandaKnow this through prostration, questioning, and service. The wise who have realized the truth will instruct you in knowledge.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanLearn this from those endowed with knowledge, through prostration, inquiry, and service offered to them. Those who are endowed with knowledge and are capable of showing the truth will give you the truth nearby.

Shri Purohit SwamiThis you shall learn by prostrating yourself at the master's feet, questioning them, and serving them. The wise who have realized the truth will teach you wisdom.

Swami SivanandaKnowing that thou shalt not, O Arjuna, again be deluded like this; and by that thou shalt see all beings in thyself and also in me.

Swami GambiranandaKnowing this, O Pandava, you will not be deluded again in this way, and through it, you will see all beings, without exception, in the Self and also in Me.

Swami AdidevanandaKnowing this, O Arjuna, you will not fall again into delusion in this way—by that knowledge, you will see all beings without exception in yourself and then in Me.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanBy knowing this, you will not be deluded again, O son of Pandu; and by this means, you will see all beings without exception in yourself, that is, in Me.

Shri Purohit SwamiHaving known That, you shall never again be confounded; and, O Arjuna, by the power of that wisdom, you shall see all these people as if they were your own Self, and therefore as Me.

Swami SivanandaEven if thou art the most sinful of all sinners, yet thou shalt surely cross over all sins by the raft of knowledge.

Swami GambiranandaEven if you are the worst sinner among all sinners, you can still cross over all wickedness with the raft of Knowledge alone.

Swami AdidevanandaEven if you are the most sinful of all sinners, you can cross over all sins by the boat of knowledge alone.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanEven if you are the highest sinner among all sinners, you can cross over the ocean of all sins by the boat of knowledge.

Shri Purohit SwamiEven if you are the greatest of sinners, you will cross over all sin by the ferryboat of wisdom.

Swami SivanandaAs the blazing fire reduces fuel to ashes, O Arjuna, so does the fire of knowledge reduce all actions to ash.

Swami GambiranandaO Arjuna, just as a blazing fire reduces wood to ashes, similarly the fire of Knowledge reduces all actions to ashes.

Swami AdidevanandaJust as a burning fire turns fuel to ashes, O Arjuna, so does the fire of knowledge turn all karmas to ashes.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanJust as a fire that is well-inflamed reduces fuel to ashes, so too does the fire of knowledge reduce all actions to ashes.

Shri Purohit SwamiAs the kindled fire consumes the fuel, so, O Arjuna, the embers of action are burnt to ashes in the flame of wisdom.

Swami SivanandaVerily, there is no purifier in this world like knowledge. He who is perfected in Yoga finds it within the Self in due time.

Swami GambiranandaIndeed, there is nothing purifying here comparable to Knowledge. One who has become perfected over time through yoga, realizes That in their own heart.

Swami AdidevanandaFor there is no purifier equal to knowledge; he who is perfected in Karma Yoga finds this knowledge of his own accord in himself in due time.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanIn this world, there exists no purifier comparable to knowledge. One who becomes perfect in Yoga finds this, of their own accord, in their Self in due course.

Shri Purohit SwamiThere is nothing in the world so purifying as wisdom; and he who is a perfect saint finds that at last within himself.

Swami SivanandaThe one who is full of faith, devoted to it, and has subdued their senses obtains this knowledge; and upon obtaining the knowledge, they attain the supreme peace immediately.

Swami GambiranandaThe one who has faith, is diligent, and has control over their organs, attains Knowledge. Achieving Knowledge, one soon attains supreme Peace.

Swami AdidevanandaHe who has faith, is intent on it, and has mastered his senses, attains knowledge. Having attained knowledge, he quickly goes to supreme peace.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanHe who has faith gains knowledge, if he is solely intent upon it and has his sense-organs well-controlled. Having gained the knowledge, he soon attains the Supreme Peace.

Shri Purohit SwamiHe who is full of faith attains wisdom, and he who can control his senses, having attained that wisdom, will soon attain Supreme Peace.

Swami SivanandaThe ignorant, the faithless, and the doubting self go to destruction; there is neither this world nor the other, nor happiness for the doubting one.

Swami GambiranandaOne who is ignorant and faithless, and has a doubting mind, perishes. Neither this world nor the next, nor happiness, exists for one who has a doubting mind.

Swami AdidevanandaThe ignorant, the faithless, and the doubting one perish; for the doubting one, there is neither this world nor the one beyond, nor happiness.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanBut he who is ignorant and has no faith, perishes, with his mind full of doubts. Neither this world nor the other, nor happiness is for a person who is by nature full of doubts.

Shri Purohit SwamiBut the ignorant man, and he who has no faith, and the skeptic are lost. Neither in this world nor elsewhere is there any happiness in store for him who always doubts.

Swami SivanandaHe who has renounced actions through Yoga, whose doubts have been dispelled by knowledge, and who is self-possessed—such a one is not bound by actions, O Arjuna.

Swami GambiranandaO Dhananjaya (Arjuna), actions do not bind one who has renounced actions through yoga, whose doubts have been fully dispelled by Knowledge, and who is not inattentive.

Swami AdidevanandaActions do not bind him, O Arjuna, who has renounced them through Karma Yoga and whose doubts have been dispelled by knowledge, and who thus possesses a steady mind.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanO Dhananjaya! Actions do not bind him who has renounced all actions through Yoga; who has cut off his doubts by the sword of knowledge; and who is a master of his own self.

Shri Purohit SwamiBut the one who has renounced their actions for meditation, who has cleaved their doubts in two by the sword of wisdom, and who remains always enthroned in their Self, is not bound by their actions.

Swami SivanandaTherefore, with the sword of knowledge (of the Self), cut asunder the doubt of the self, born of ignorance, residing in your heart, and take refuge in Yoga. Arise, O Arjuna!

Swami GambiranandaTherefore, O scion of the Bharata dynasty, take recourse to yoga and rise up, cutting asunder with the sword of knowledge this doubt in your heart, arising from ignorance.

Swami AdidevanandaTherefore, sever, with the sword of knowledge, this doubt present in your heart resulting from ignorance concerning the Self. Practice this Yoga, O Arjuna, and arise.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanTherefore, thus cutting off, by means of the sword of knowledge, the doubt that has sprung from ignorance and exists in your heart, practice the Yoga! Stand up, O descendant of Bharata!

Shri Purohit SwamiTherefore, cleave asunder with the sword of wisdom the doubts of the heart, which your own ignorance has engendered, and follow the path of wisdom and arise!