Ch.4: Renunciation of Action in Knowledge
Sanksrit Verses
In the beginning of this chapter the Lord tells Arjuna that this knowledge was first imparted by him to suryadeva (Vivaswan),who then passed it on manu, ikshvaaku, then the kings and so on. So this knowledge is parampara praptham. But in the course of time, it was lost to the world. The Lord tells Arjuna that he was revealing this once more to Arjuna, because Arjuna was a true friend and devotee.
The Lord says that He has taken so many births through His divine powers for the protection of righteousness as and when it is tarnished.
yadaa yadaa hi dharmasya glanirbhavathi bhaaratha
abyukhthanaM adharmasya tadatmanaM srijamyaham.h
parithranaya sadhoonaM vinashaya cha dushkrithaM
dharma sampthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge
He says that whenever righteousness declines and adharmaa increases, he will manifest himself. The Lord approaches the disciples in the same way that he is approached by us - as a friend, a student or lover. He says that the orders of society (Kshatriya, Brahmana, Vysya and Shoodra) were created according to their guNaa or nature and karmaa or duties. One who knows that he is unattached to the karma that he is doing is liberated. Those who find action in inaction and inaction in action are the most intelligent among men. They remain contented in all actions and see the Lord in all beings.
The Lord talks about GYaana yaGYa which is the most superior of all yaGYas and says that it should be attained from a teacher in the proper manner. The fire of knowledge reduces all sins into ashes. Towards the end of this chapter the Lord says who is said to be knowledgeable. One who controls senses, remains devoted to spiritual practices, and is full of faith attains knowledge and thereby immediate peace. An ignorant, unfaithful, doubting soul has no place in this world as well as the next. So one who has dedicated all karmas and its fruits to Lord and remains without any doubt is not bound by his actions. The Lord concludes by telling Arjuna that he has to remove doubt with knowledge, establish in karma yogaH and fight.
