तस्मादज्ञानसंभूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनाऽऽत्मनः। छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत।।4.42।।
tasmād ajñāna‑saṁbhūtam hṛt‑stham jñānāsināḥ ātmanaḥ | chittvā itam saṁśayam yoga‑mātiṣṭha uttiṣṭha bhārata ||4.42||
Translation
Therefore, with the sword of knowledge, cut asunder the doubt that has arisen in the heart. O scion of Bharata, establish yourself firmly in yoga and arise!
Word Meanings
tasmāt — therefore; ajñāna‑saṁbhūtam — born of ignorance; hṛt‑stham — situated in the heart; jñānāsināḥ — by the weapon of knowledge; ātmanaḥ — of the self; chittvā — cutting off; itam — this; saṁśayam — doubt; yoga‑mātiṣṭha — be situated in yoga; uttiṣṭha — stand up; bhārata — O descendant of Bharata
Understanding the Verse
Verse 4.42 is a pivotal exhortation in the Gita, where Krishna urges Arjuna to eradicate the mental hesitation that clouds his judgment. The phrase tasmād ajñāna‑saṁbhūtam reminds the seeker that the lingering doubt is a by‑product of ignorance, a veil that obscures the true nature of the self. Ignorance, in the Gita’s philosophical framework, is not merely lack of intellectual knowledge but a fundamental misidentification with the transient body‑mind complex. When this misidentification persists, it gives rise to doubts, especially concerning the path of self‑less action and devotion.
The metaphor of the jñānāsināḥ, the sword of knowledge, is striking. In Vedic tradition, the sword symbolizes discernment (viveka) that severs the knot of māyā (illusion). By invoking the sword, Krishna is not suggesting a violent act but a decisive, mental cut that separates truth from falsehood. The heart (hṛt‑stham) is highlighted as the seat of these doubts because it is the inner center where emotions, intentions, and ego converge. Cutting the doubt from the heart ensures that the practitioner’s motivations become pure and aligned with dharma.
The instruction yoga‑mātiṣṭha—"be situated in yoga"—encompasses a state of steady equanimity and single‑pointed focus on the divine. Yoga here is not limited to physical postures but denotes the integrated practice of self‑control, disciplined action, and unwavering devotion. By establishing oneself in yoga, Arjuna is to cultivate a mind that remains unmoved by external fluctuations, thereby preventing the resurgence of doubt.
Krishna culminates the verse with a personal address, uttiṣṭha bhārata, urging Arjuna to rise. The name ‘Bharata’ evokes the lineage of righteousness and the broader mission of upholding dharma for the welfare of humanity. The call to arise is both literal—standing up on the battlefield—and spiritual—awakening to one’s divine duty. It reinforces the Gita’s central theme that knowledge and action must be inseparable; enlightenment is not achieved through contemplation alone but through purposeful, self‑less engagement in the world.
In contemporary practice, this verse serves as a powerful reminder to confront internal skepticism with clarity. When faced with uncertainty about one’s path—whether in spiritual practice, career, or relationships—the disciplined application of knowledge acts as a decisive tool to cut through confusion. By grounding oneself in yoga, cultivating inner stability, and daring to act, one transcends the paralyzing effects of doubt, aligning personal effort with the universal flow of dharma.
