एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः। कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम्।।4.15।।
evam jñātvā kṛtaṃ karma pūrvair api mumukṣubhiḥ | kuru karmaiva tasmāt tvaṃ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataraṃ kṛtam
Translation
Having known this, even those seekers of liberation in ages past performed the action. Therefore, you too should perform this very duty, as the ancient sages have done.
Word Meanings
evam — thus; jñātvā — having known; kṛtaṃ — performed; karma — action; pūrvair — by the ancestors; api — indeed; mumukṣubhiḥ — seekers of liberation; kuru — do; karmaiva — the same action; tasmāt — therefore; tvaṃ — you; pūrvaiḥ — by the predecessors; pūrvataraṃ — earlier; kṛtam — performed
Understanding the Verse
In Chapter 4, Verse 15 of the Bhagavad Gītā, Lord Krishna emphasizes the continuity of dharmic action across the ages. The verse begins with ‘evam jñātvā’, meaning ‘knowing this truth’. The truth referred to is the eternal principle that action performed without attachment, as a service to the Supreme, leads to purification and eventual liberation. By invoking the term ‘mumukṣubhiḥ’ – seekers of mokṣa – Krishna makes it clear that even those whose ultimate aim is liberation have engaged in selfless work. This dispels the common misconception that spiritual aspirants must retreat from worldly duties; rather, true renunciation lies in the attitude with which one performs one’s responsibilities.
Krishna then says ‘kuru karmaiva’, urging Arjuna to ‘just do the action’. The emphasis is not on the type of action but on the spirit of action. The word ‘karmaiva’ underscores that the same essential work that served the ancestors remains relevant today. By aligning with the time‑tested prescription of duty, the aspirant gains both material and spiritual benefits. This also signifies that the Vedic injunctions are timeless – they are not bound by historical context but are rooted in the fundamental nature of human existence.
The phrase ‘tasmāt tvaṃ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataraṃ kṛtam’ serves as a direct call to the listener: ‘Therefore, you, too, must follow the example set by those before you.’ The ancestors mentioned are the rishis and sages who, through their unwavering commitment to dharma, set a precedent for future generations. By honoring their example, one not only maintains social order but also participates in a lineage of spiritual evolution. This link between past and present underscores the Gītā’s broader teaching that the soul is eternal, moving through many lifetimes, yet each incarnation has a specific role in upholding cosmic order.
The verse also subtly addresses the concept of ‘karmic inheritance’. The deeds of past great souls create a reservoir of dharma that sustains the world. When Arjuna embraces his duty as a warrior, he taps into this collective dharmic energy, reinforcing the moral fabric of society. Consequently, the performance of prescribed duties becomes a means of personal purification and societal stability. By acting without the desire for personal gain, one transforms ordinary action into a form of worship, turning each task into an offering to the Divine.
In summary, Chapter 4 Verse 15 teaches that the path to liberation is not renunciation of action but renunciation of selfish attachment to its fruits. By recognizing the timeless wisdom of the sages and performing one’s duty with the same devotion, a seeker walks the path of yoga, aligning personal growth with universal harmony.
