एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः ।
स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप ॥
स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे परंतप इस तरह परम्परासे प्राप्त इस कर्मयोग को राजर्षियोंने जाना । परन्तु बहुत समय बीत जानेके कारण वह योग इस मनुष्यलोकमें लुप्तप्राय हो गया ॥
English
O scorcher of foes, this yoga was known by the royal sages through an unbroken lineage. In the course of great time, this yoga was lost in this world.
What this verse means
This ancient yoga was passed down from teacher to student and known by wise rulers, but over time it faded from the world.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna stands shaken while Krishna begins a teaching about an ancient yoga. Krishna says it once moved through an unbroken line of wise rulers, but over long ages it has nearly disappeared from human life.
Why this verse still matters
A skill your grandfather knew may survive only as a half-remembered family story. Without living transmission, even the most valuable wisdom can vanish between generations.
The takeaway
What is deepest can still be forgotten; it must be handed on, not merely admired.
Word-by-word translation
एवम् (thus) / परम्परा-प्राप्तम् (received through succession) / इमम् (this) / राजर्षयः (royal sages) / विदुः (knew) / सः (that) / कालेन (by time) / इह (here) / महता (great) / योगः (yoga) / नष्टः (lost) / परन्तप (O scorcher of foes)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga — Knowledge and Renunciation of Action, which contains 42 verses.
Explore related themes: jnana yoga (13 verses)