Bhagavad Gita · Verse 4.5
Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga (ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन । तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप ॥५॥
bahūni me vyatītāni janmāni tava cārjuna | tānyahaṃ veda sarvāṇi na tvaṃ vettha parantapa ||5||
Complete Shloka Translation
Many births of mine and yours have passed, Arjuna. I know them all; you do not know them, O scorcher of foes.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| बहूनि | bahūni | many |
| वेद | veda | I know |
| मे | me | [term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ... |
| व्यतीतानि | vyatītāni | [term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ... |
| जन्मानि | janmāni | [term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ... |
| तव | tava | [term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ... |
| चार्जुन | cārjuna | [term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ... |
| तान्यहं | tānyahaṃ | [term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ... |
| सर्वाणि | sarvāṇi | [term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ... |
| त्वं | na | [term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ... |
| वेत्थ | tvaṃ | [term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ... |
| परन्तप | vettha | [term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ... |
many
I know
[term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ...
[term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ...
[term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ...
[term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ...
[term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ...
[term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ...
[term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ...
[term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ...
[term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ...
[term] in context of Many births of mine and yours ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna answers within the teaching of repeated births. The difference he stresses is his comprehensive knowledge of them and Arjuna's lack of that recollection.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Recognizing the limits of our knowledge makes room for learning."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Where might recognizing your limits make learning easier?
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.