Bhagavad Gita · Verse 4.36
Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga (ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः । सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि ॥३६॥
api cedasi pāpebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ pāpakṛttamaḥ | sarvaṃ jñānaplavenaiva vṛjinaṃ santariṣyasi ||36||
Complete Shloka Translation
Even if you are the greatest wrongdoer among all wrongdoers, you will cross all wrongdoing by the boat of knowledge alone.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ज्ञानप्लवेन | jñānaplavena | by the boat of knowledge |
| वृजिनम् | vṛjinam | wrongdoing or evil |
| अपि | api | [term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w... |
| चेदसि | cedasi | [term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w... |
| पापेभ्यः | pāpebhyaḥ | [term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w... |
| सर्वेभ्यः | sarvebhyaḥ | [term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w... |
| पापकृत्तमः | pāpakṛttamaḥ | [term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w... |
| सर्वं | sarvaṃ | [term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w... |
| ज्ञानप्लवेनैव | jñānaplavenaiva | [term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w... |
| वृजिनं | vṛjinaṃ | [term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w... |
| सन्तरिष्यसि | santariṣyasi | [term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w... |
| ३६ | santariṣyasi | [term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w... |
by the boat of knowledge
wrongdoing or evil
[term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w...
[term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w...
[term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w...
[term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w...
[term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w...
[term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w...
[term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w...
[term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w...
[term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w...
[term] in context of Even if you are the greatest w...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The boat offers hope even to a deeply troubled seeker. This praise of transformative knowledge is not a promise that consequences or responsibility can simply be ignored.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Past wrongdoing need not prevent sincere understanding and change."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What sincere change can begin from acknowledging a past mistake?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to kindle the fire of higher purpose in your work: burn away the anxiety of personal ego and petty doubts with the purifying flame of deep understanding, dedication, and service.