Verse 4.15
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः। कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम्।।
Transliteration (IAST)
evaṁ jñātvā kṛtaṁ karma pūrvair api mumukṣubhiḥ kuru karmaiva tasmāt tvaṁ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataraṁ kṛtam
Word-by-Word Meanings
jñātvā-having known
pūrvaiḥ-by the ancients
mumukṣubhiḥ-by those seeking liberation
kuru-perform
karma-action
pūrvataram-in ancient times
Translation
All the liberated souls in ancient times acted with this understanding of My transcendental nature. Therefore you should perform your duty, following in their footsteps.
Commentary
Krishna urges Arjuna to follow the example of ancient seekers who performed action with knowledge. This verse bridges jñāna and karma - knowledge does not negate action but transforms it. The appeal to tradition reinforces the paramparā principle established at the chapter's opening.
Themes
karmajnanadharma