Verse-33
Chapter 4 — Gyan Karma Sannayasa Yoga
Verse 33
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
śreyāndravyamayādyajñājjñānayajñaḥ paraṁtapa
sarvaṁ karmākhilaṁ pārtha jñāne parisamāpyate
🕉 English Translation
Arjun hai dhan roop yagya jitney bhi,
Hai yagya gyan ka shreshta un sab se hee.
Sabhi karma hote khatm gyan mein,
Phal unka hai gyaan pehchaan leh.
📜 Translation
English
O Scourger of the foes Arjun! In comparison to the material sacrifice, the sacrifice of knowledge is far superior and all actions in their entirety culminate in knowledge.
All sacrifices are of utility and have their benefits. The Blessed Lord prior to this, by using the word 'sarve'pyete' has clarified that all sacrifices destroy sins and deliver from the bondage of action, but when the question arises as to the supremacy amongst them there it can be said that compared to material sacrifice, the sacrifice of knowledge is superior. In material sacrifices, there is a need for and subjection to wealth and objects related to wealth. It involves bodily activities but the sacrifice of knowledge is one's own state of being. Through discrimination and deliberation consecrating the inner ego to the vast spirit of the Supreme is sacrifice of knowledge; there is no dependence on anything; there is no external activity involved. In any case, the fruits of all actions are ultimately knowledge.
Through sacrificial actions all the vices of the inner-self are eradicated; the inner state becomes purified and in the purified inner state, revelation of knowledge is natural. In reality, knowledge is the true nature of the human being. Defects, impurities, agitations and veil envelope the knowledge in the same manner as the clouds cover the sun. Once the clouds disappear, the sun is ever present. Sacrificial actions clean the dirt of vices. Knowledge is ever present and with this begins, in this chapter of the Gita, an extremely useful, inspirational and glorious topic pertaining to the importance of knowledge.