Knowledge and Renunciation of Action - 04 - 01

The Shloka

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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम् ।

विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् ॥

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śrībhagavānuvāca ।

imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavānahamavyayam ।

vivasvānmanave prāha manurikṣvākave’bravīt ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka establishes the antiquity and divine origin of the knowledge of Bhagavad-gita. Krishna is not introducing a new philosophy but reiterating an eternal truth that has been passed down through a perfect disciplic succession (paramparā). It emphasizes that this knowledge is not a product of human speculation but originates directly from the Supreme Being, ensuring its purity and authority. It also highlights the importance of receiving spiritual knowledge through an authorized chain of teachers to preserve its original essence.

The Supreme Lord said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to Vivasvān (the sun-god), Vivasvān conveyed it to Manu, and Manu, in turn, told it to Ikṣvāku.

Lord Krishna explains that this ancient and eternal spiritual knowledge was first imparted by Him to the sun-god Vivasvān. Vivasvān then taught it to Manu, the father of mankind, who subsequently transmitted it to King Ikṣvāku, the progenitor of the solar dynasty on Earth, establishing a chain of disciplic succession.

Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, begins this chapter by revealing the ancient and eternal lineage through which this profound spiritual wisdom, referred to as ‘yoga,’ was transmitted. He states that He Himself, in a previous age, first taught this imperishable (avyayam) science to Vivasvān, the sun-god. This “yoga” is the path to connecting with the Divine, encompassing the principles of self-realization and understanding one’s relationship with the Supreme. The term ‘imperishable’ signifies that the knowledge itself is timeless, never losing its essence or validity, although its human understanding might be lost over time. Vivasvān, in turn, imparted this knowledge to his son, Vaivasvata Manu, who is considered the father of humanity and the lawgiver for the current cosmic age. Manu then passed this sacred wisdom down to his son, Ikṣvāku, who was the first king of the solar dynasty on Earth, an illustrious lineage that would later include Lord Rama. This verse underscores the divine origin and the structured method of transmission of spiritual knowledge, emphasizing the crucial role of disciplic succession (paramparā) in maintaining its authenticity and purity.

Sentence - 1

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श्रीभगवानुवाच

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Meaning

The Supreme Lord said:

Meaning of Words

श्रीभगवान्	Śrī Bhagavān
The Supreme Lord A respectful title for Lord Krishna, indicating that He is endowed with all six opulences in full: strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty, and renunciation. It signifies that He is the ultimate, complete manifestation of the Divine.
उवाच	uvāca	said

Sentence - 2

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इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्

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Meaning

I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to Vivasvān.

Meaning of Words

इमम्	imam
this Refers to the specific system of yoga or spiritual knowledge that Lord Krishna is about to elaborate on throughout the Bhagavad-gita.
विवस्वते	vivasvate
to Vivasvān Vivasvān, also known as Sūrya, is the powerful sun-god, the presiding deity of the sun and the first recipient of this knowledge from the Supreme Lord in this cosmic age. He is also the progenitor of the solar dynasty, from whom Manu was born.
योगम्	yogam
yoga, spiritual science Here, ‘yoga’ refers to the profound spiritual wisdom and the method of self-realization that leads to connection with the Supreme Being. It’s not limited to physical postures but encompasses the entire process of understanding one’s true nature and relationship with God.
प्रोक्तवान्	proktavān
instructed, declared Indicates that the Lord personally delivered or imparted this knowledge.
अहम्	aham
I Refers to Lord Krishna, emphasizing His personal role as the original source of this knowledge.
अव्ययम्	avyayam
imperishable, eternal Describes the nature of this spiritual knowledge, signifying that it is timeless, unchanging, and never loses its potency or truth, regardless of how much time passes or how many individuals receive it.

Sentence - 3

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विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत्

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Meaning

Vivasvān conveyed it to Manu, and Manu, in turn, told it to Ikṣvāku.

Meaning of Words

विवस्वान्	Vivasvān	Vivasvān (the sun-god)
मनवे	manave
to Manu Refers to Vaivasvata Manu, the son of Vivasvān and the progenitor of humanity in the current epoch. He is revered as the first lawgiver and ruler among humans, who received and preserved this sacred knowledge.
प्राह	prāha
spoke, declared Conveys the act of transmitting knowledge in a formal and authoritative manner.
मनुः	Manuḥ	Manu
इक्ष्वाकवे	ikṣvākave
to Ikṣvāku King Ikṣvāku was the eldest son of Vaivasvata Manu and the founder of the Ikṣvāku dynasty (also known as the Solar dynasty or Suryavaṁśa). He was the first human king on Earth to receive this divine wisdom directly from Manu, initiating the royal line of spiritual kings.
अब्रवीत्	abravīt
spoke, told Similar to ‘prāha’, indicating the verbal transmission of the knowledge, maintaining the chain of instruction.

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