4. Philosophy of Action

Jñāna Karm Sanyās Yog

BG 4.1

Krishna said: I taught this imperishable Yoga to the Sun god Vivasvan; Vivasvan taught it to Manu, the original man; Manu told it to Ikshvaku, the first king.

श्री भगवानुवाच
इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्
विवस्वान् मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत्


  • śhrī bhagavān uvācha — Krishna said

  • imaṁ — this

  • vivasvate — to the God of the sun

  • yogaṁ — of Yoga

  • proktavān — taught

  • aham — I

  • avyayam — eternal

  • vivasvān — Sun-god

  • manave — to Manu
    Manu is the original progenitor of mankind, similar to the Biblical Adam.

  • prāha — told

  • manur — Manu

  • ikṣhvākave — to Ikshvaku
    Ikshvaku is the first king of the Solar dynasty

  • ’bravīt — instructed
    abravīt—instructed

Krishna said: I taught this imperishable Yoga to the Sun god Vivasvan; Vivasvan taught it to Manu, the original man; Manu told it to Ikshvaku, the first king.

[1]

The saintly kings received this science in a continuous succession, until after a long time, it was lost.

[2]

It is this same ancient Yoga that I am now teaching you, for you are my devotee and my friend. This is the supreme secret.

[3]

4.4...
Chapter 4, Verse 1