Chapter 4 · Verse 32

Path of Knowledge and the Disciplines of Action

एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे। कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे

evaṁ bahu-vidhā yajñā vitatā brahmaṇo mukhe karma-jān viddhi tān sarvān evaṁ jñātvā vimokṣhyase

Word Meanings

evam bahu-vidhāḥ yajñāḥ vitatāḥ brahmaṇaḥ mukhe karma-jān viddhi tān sarvān evam jñātvā vimokṣhyase

Translation

Thus, many kinds of sacrifices have been set forth in the teachings of the Vedas. Know them all to be born of action; understanding this, you shall be liberated.

Commentary

एवम् thus? बहुविधाः manifold? यज्ञाः sacrifices? वितताः are spread? ब्रह्मणः of Brahman (or of the Veda)? मुखे in the face? कर्मजान् born of action? विद्धि know (thou)? तान् them? सर्वान् all? एवम् thus? ज्ञात्वा having known? विमोक्ष्यसे thou shalt be liberated.Commentary The word Brahmanah has also been interpreted to mean In the Vedas.Various kinds of sacrifices are spread out at the mouth of Brahman? i.e.? they are known from the Vedas. Know that they are born of action? because the Self is beyond action. If you realise that these actions do not concern me? they are not my actin? and I am actionless? you will surely be liberated from the bondage of Samsara by this right knowledge. (Cf.IX.27XIII.15)