Chapter IV

Krishna asserts that he originally taught this supreme yoga to Vivaswata, who passed it down through a lineage of kings and sages, but the knowledge eventually became lost and dim over time.

Arjuna raises a logical objection, noting that Krishna's birth occurred in more recent times, making it impossible for him to have taught the ancient Vivaswata.

Krishna responds that both he and Arjuna have undergone countless rebirths, but while Krishna knows all his births, Arjuna does not know his own.

Krishna declares that despite being unborn, undying, and the Lord of all living things, he manifests repeatedly in the world through his divine power.

Krishna explains that he manifests in visible form whenever righteousness declines and wickedness grows strong, to protect the good and restore virtue.

Krishna asserts that those who understand the truth of his divine incarnations and cosmic work escape the cycle of rebirth and attain union with him.

Krishna characterizes his true devotees as those freed from fear, anger, and desire, who fix their hearts on him and are purified by the sacred flame of knowledge.

Krishna distinguishes between those who worship him and gain ultimate liberation, and those who worship lesser gods for temporary worldly rewards.

Krishna asserts that he created the four castes and assigned them their places according to their inherent qualities and gifts.

Krishna states that because he acts without involvement or personal stake, his actions do not corrupt or bind him as they do others.

Krishna asserts that those who understand his detached action are themselves liberated from action's binding effects, as the ancient saints were.

Krishna instructs Arjuna to perform his duties as his fathers did before him.

Arjuna notes that singers and sages have long asked the fundamental question of what distinguishes action from inaction.

Krishna undertakes to teach Arjuna the difficult distinction between action, inaction, and undoing, which constitutes the path to liberation through work.

Krishna teaches that the wisest person perceives how action can be rest and rest can be action, seeing beyond the conventional distinction.

Krishna characterizes the wise person as one who acts without desire for fruits, purified by truth, content, and unbound by karmic consequences.

Krishna portrays the truly liberated person as one who renounces the fruits of deeds, is free from fear and hope, masters the self, and remains unmoved by joy or sorrow.

Krishna explains that for the liberated person whose cravings are gone and soul fixed on truth, all work becomes divine sacrifice that merges completely with ultimate reality.

Krishna expounds that the sacrifice itself is Brahman, the offerings are Brahman, the fire is Brahman, and the consumer of the sacrifice is Brahman.

Krishna enumerates diverse practices of sacrifice—some using physical offerings, others renouncing sensory pleasures, burning sensual delights, offering wealth and austerities, or controlling breath and life force.

Krishna asserts that all these various forms of sacrifice, when performed sincerely, function as genuine offering and erase much accumulated sin.

Krishna states that those who consume the sacred remnants of sacrifice attain Brahma and the eternal realm, while those who refuse all sacrifice gain nothing.

Krishna declares that those who make no sacrifice have neither part in this world nor any hope for another, emphasizing the necessity of sacrifice.

Krishna affirms that all offerings are visible to and accepted by Brahma, and through understanding that all proceeds by action, doubt is dispelled.

Krishna asserts that the sacrifice of knowledge is superior to material offerings, as the true worth of any gift lies in the giver's mind and willingness.

Krishna teaches that knowledge is gained through reverence, sincere inquiry, and humble study with those who see and teach the truth.

Krishna assures that knowing truth dispels the ache of ignorance and reveals all beings and things as subject to the seeker, just as the seeker is subject to Krishna.

Krishna employs a powerful metaphor, declaring that the ship of truth will carry even the worst wrongdoer safely across the ocean of transgressions.

Krishna teaches that knowledge, like flame consuming fuel, utterly burns away the residue of past actions and is the supreme purifier.

Krishna asserts that there is no purifier like knowledge in the world, and those who seek it will find it within themselves once they become perfect.

Krishna teaches that those who believe, master themselves, cleave to truth, and gain knowledge achieve the highest peace and uttermost repose.

Krishna asserts that those lacking knowledge, full faith, or courage—those who doubt—are destroyed and find no peace, hope, or happiness in any world.

Krishna urgently commands Arjuna to use the sword of wisdom to sever the bonds of doubt born from ignorance, and to boldly take up his duty.