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Bhagavad Gita 4.33

Chapter 4, Verse 33

Part of 4: Jñāna Karm Sanyās Yogज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोग

श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप। सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते॥

Transliteration

śhreyān dravya-mayād yajñāj jñāna-yajñaḥ parantapa sarvaṁ karmākhilaṁ pārtha jñāne parisamāpyate

Meaning

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

Word-by-word meaning
śhreyānsuperiordravya-mayātof material possessionsyajñātthan the sacrificejñāna-yajñaḥsacrifice performed in knowledgeparantapasubduer of enemies, ArjunsarvamallkarmaworksakhilamallpārthaArjun, the son of Prithajñānein knowledgeparisamāpyateculminate
Commentary

Sacrifices with material objects cause material effects and bring the sacrificer to this world for the enjoyment of the fruits, while wisdomsacrifice leads to Moksha. Therefore wisdomsacrifice is superior to the sacrifice performed with material objects. Just as rivers join the ocean, so do all actions join knowledge, i.e., they culminate in knowledge. All actions purify the heart and lead to the dawn of knowledge of the Self. All actions that are performed as offerings unto the Lord with their fruits are contained in the knowledge of Brahman. (Cf. IX.15X.25XVIII.70)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 33?
Superior is wisdom-sacrifice to the sacrifice with objects, O Parantapa (scorcher of the foes). All actions in their entirety, O Arjuna, culminate in knowledge.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 33 of Chapter 4 (Jñāna Karm Sanyās Yog — Path of Knowledge and the Disciplines of Action) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.