4.32 Evam bahuvidhA yagyA

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama:  SrImath varavaramunayE nama:

Chapter 4

<< Chapter 4 verse 31

SlOkam – Original

Evam bahuvidhA yagyA vithathA brahmaNO mukhE |
karmajAn vidhdhi thAn sarvAn Evam gyAthvA vimOkshyasE ||

word-by-word meaning

Evam – in this manner
bahuvidhA: – many types
yagyA: – karma yOgas
brahmaNa: mukhE – in the karma yOga which is a means to attain AthmA (self-realisation)
vithathA: – are present
thAn sarvAn – all those karma yOgas
karmajAn – springing from nithya/naimiththika karma
vidhdhi – know that
Evam – in this manner
gyAthvA – knowing and practicing it
vimOkshyasE – be freed from samsAram (bondage in material realm)

Simple Translation

In this manner, many types of karma yOgas are present in the karma yOga which is a means to attain AthmA (self-realiaation). Know that all those karma yOgas are springing from nithya/naimiththika karma. Knowing and practicing it, be freed from samsAram (bondage in material realm).

Rendering based on ALkoNdavilli gOvindhAchArya swAmy’s English translation of gIthA bhAshyam

‘Thus have the varieties of yajña been expounded, as means leading to brahma (ātma). Know them all as springing from action (karma), Knowing thus, you shall be emancipated.’

Such, in truth, are the various kinds of Karma-Yoga- known to be the various Means for attaining to real ātma-state (brahmaṇo mukhe[1. Brahmaṇo mukhe. The term brahma signifies here the true nature of ātma; and mukhe signifies the means to attain that ātma. So that brahmaṇo mukhe, means ‘the means to attain ātma’ (vide Tātparya chandrika, by Vedāntāchārya).]) described so far.

Know them, (the yajñas) all, to spring from action, —as already explained— involving the regular performance of the daily (nitya), incidental (naimittika) etc., duties.

Knowing thus and reducing the same to practice, you shall be freed (from bondage).

The wisdom aspect of karma has been explained by showing how wisdom (jñana or knowledge) is involved in work (karma). The importance of the wisdom—element in this compound of jñana-karma (wisdom-work) is now dwelt on:—

>> Chapter 4 verse 33

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