4.33 Knowledge is the better offering Krishna speaks
श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप
सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते
śhreyān dravya-mayād yajñāj jñāna-yajñaḥ parantapa
sarvaṁ karmākhilaṁ pārtha jñāne parisamāpyate
The offering of knowledge is better than the offering of possessions, Arjuna. All action, without exception, finds its end in knowledge.
Explanation
The offering of knowledge is better.
Better than the offering of possessions — and then: all action, without exception, finds its end in knowledge.
Not is replaced by. Action terminates in knowing, which is why the chapter can praise knowledge without ever telling Arjuna to stop acting.
Word by word
- śhreyān
- superior
- dravya-mayāt
- of material possessions
- yajñāt
- than the sacrifice
- jñāna-yajñaḥ
- sacrifice performed in knowledge
- parantapa
- subduer of enemies, Arjun
- sarvam
- all
- karma
- works
- akhilam
- all
- pārtha
- Arjun, the son of Pritha
- jñāne
- in knowledge
- parisamāpyate
- culminate
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