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Chapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge · 42 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Duty & actionChapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge

4.31 4.33

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.32

Sacrifice, discipline and knowledge

Karma · Action

एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे ।

कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे ॥ ३२ ॥

evaṁ bahu-vidhā yajñā

vitatā brahmaṇo mukhe

karma-jān viddhi tān sarvān

evaṁ jñātvā vimokṣyase

Translation

All these different types of sacrifice are approved by the Vedas, and all of them are born of different types of work. Knowing them as such, you will become liberated.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Sacrifices That Lead to Liberation

1
The Vedas approve these sacrifices, which arise from different kinds of work. Understanding them leads to liberation.
2
Prabhupāda explains that these sacrifices suit different workers, who act with the body, mind, or intelligence.
3
Understand that the ultimate purpose of all these sacrifices is liberation from the body.

Key points from the purport

Why variety of sacrifices are recommended — As different medicines are prescribed for different diseases; different varieties of sacrifices are prescribed to suit different types of workers

Principle: Because the conditioned soul is in deep bodily concept – Work with body, mind or intelligence, in the form of different sacrifices, is recommended to ultimately get liberation (4.32 purport)