16 Questions
What is the term for the practice by which the human spirit attains complete union with the Supreme Spirit?
Yoga
What is the state of being free from envy or jealousy?
Vimatsara
What is the term for self-study of scriptures or Veda-s?
Svādhyāya
What is the term for the bodily or physical body?
Śārīram
What is the term for the knowers of sacrifice?
Yajñavidaḥ
What is the term for the supreme or the best?
Uttamam
What is the meaning of 'boddhavyam'?
Should be known
What is the meaning of 'dvandvātītaḥ'?
One who is free from the pairs of opposites
What is the meaning of 'āpnoti'?
Incurs, gets, acquires
What is the meaning of 'brahmakarmasamādhinā'?
By the man who is completely absorbed in the state of seeing Brahman in all actions
What is the meaning of 'jñāna-asinā'?
By the sword of knowledge
What is the meaning of 'kevalam'?
Merely, only
What is the meaning of 'nirāśīḥ'?
One who is without desire for the result
What is the meaning of 'mumukṣubhiḥ'?
By the seekers of liberation
What is the meaning of 'kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ'?
Those who are devoid of desires and motives
What is the meaning of 'jñāna-yajñaḥ'?
The sacrifice of ignorance into the fire of knowledge
Study Notes
Chapter 4 of the Gita
- The chapter begins with the Lord saying something to Arjuna (4.1)
- It is said that the one who is completely absorbed in the state of seeing Brahman in all actions should know certain things (4.17)
- The Lord is described as the one who is free from the pairs of opposites (4.22)
- The chapter discusses the concept of sacrifice, with the Lord saying that the sacrifice of ignorance into the fire of knowledge is the best (4.33)
- It is mentioned that the Lord incarnates in every age to establish righteousness (4.8)
The Ignorant and the Wise
- The ignorant are those who have no knowledge of scriptures (4.40)
- The wise are those who are devoid of desires and motives (4.19)
- A wise person is one who is free from envy and has complete union with the Supreme Spirit (4.22)
Knowledge and Action
- Knowledge is described as the fire that burns away actions (4.37)
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of knowledge, saying that one whose actions have been burnt by the fire of knowledge is a wise person (4.19)
- Action is described as something that is offered into the fire of knowledge (4.24)
The Four-Fold Classification
- The chapter mentions the four-fold classification of human nature, based on the gunas (qualities) of sattva, rajas, and tamas (4.13)
The Importance of Contentment
- It is said that one who is content is a wise person (4.22)
- Contentment is described as a state of being always satisfied (4.20)
The Role of the Lord
- The Lord is described as the one who is eternal and imperishable (4.9)
- The Lord is said to be the one who is always manifest, and who incarnates in every age to establish righteousness (4.8)
The Importance of Self-Study
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of self-study of scriptures (4.28)
The Concept of Karma
- Karma is described as action, work, or deeds (4.30)
- It is said that the one who is free from the desire for the result of actions is a wise person (4.21)
The Concept of Yoga
- Yoga is described as the practice by which the human spirit attains complete union with the Supreme Spirit (4.30)
Test your knowledge of Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita with this quiz. The quiz covers various Sanskrit words and their meanings, as well as their context in the chapter. See how well you can understand the concepts and ideas presented in this important Hindu scripture.
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