"The Illusion of Attachment: Understanding the Fourth Shloka of Bhagavad Gita"

 

The fourth shloka of the Bhagavad Gita is:

"इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्।

विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत्॥"

In this verse, Lord Krishna is talking about the ancient knowledge of yoga, which he has passed down through generations. He reveals that he taught this same knowledge to the sun-god Vivasvan, who in turn passed it down to his son Manu. This verse highlights the idea of the eternal nature of this knowledge and its continuous transmission from one generation to the next.

The first line, "Imam vivasvate yogam proktavan aham avyayam," means "I taught this imperishable yoga to Vivasvan, and Vivasvan passed it on to Manu." Here, Lord Krishna is emphasizing the eternal nature of this knowledge and how it has been passed down from one generation to the next.

In the second line, "Vivasvan manave praha manurikshvakave abravit," Lord Krishna is saying that Vivasvan taught this knowledge to Manu, and Manu passed it on to his son Ikshvaku. Here, Lord Krishna is highlighting the continuous transmission of knowledge from one generation to the next.

The key takeaway from this verse is that the knowledge of yoga, as taught by Lord Krishna, is not new or limited to a particular time or place. It is eternal and has been passed down through generations. This is a reminder that this knowledge is not something that can be possessed or owned, but rather something that can be experienced and shared.

The title of this article, "The Illusion of Attachment," reflects the central theme of this verse. Lord Krishna is pointing out that this knowledge is eternal and not limited to any particular person or group. It is not something that can be possessed or owned, but rather something that can be experienced and shared. This is a reminder that our attachment to possessions, status, and power is illusory, and that true fulfillment comes from connecting with our eternal nature.