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← Chapter 4: The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action

Verse 4.24

Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्। ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना।।

Transliteration (IAST)

brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam brahmaiva tena gantavyaṁ brahma-karma-samādhinā

Word-by-Word Meanings

brahma-Brahman/the Absolute
arpaṇam-the offering instrument
haviḥ-the oblation
agnau-in the fire
hutam-offered
samādhinā-by complete absorption

Translation

Brahman is the offering, Brahman is the oblation poured out by Brahman into the fire of Brahman. Brahman is to be attained by one who always sees Brahman in action.

Commentary

This celebrated verse presents the vision of total non-duality in action. Every element of the sacrificial act - the instrument, the offering, the fire, the offerer, and the goal - is recognized as Brahman. This is the jñāna-yajña (knowledge-sacrifice) par excellence, transforming all activity into meditation on the Absolute.

Themes

jnanayogakarma