Some offer the outgoing breath into the incoming breath, and the incoming breath into the outgoing breath, restraining the movement of both through breath-control as their aim. Others, with regulated food, offer the breaths into the breaths. All of them know sacrifice and are cleansed by sacrifice.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 4.29
Hindi · हिन्दी
दूसरे कितने ही प्राणायामके परायण हुए योगीलोग अपानमें प्राणका पूरक करके, प्राण और अपानकी गति रोककर फिर प्राणमें अपानका हवन करते हैं तथा अन्य कितने ही नियमित आहार करनेवाले प्राणोंका प्राणोंमें हवन किया करते हैं । ये सभी साधक यज्ञोंद्वारा पापोंका नाश करनेवाले और यज्ञोंको जाननेवाले हैं ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
अपानेinto the outgoing breathजुह्वतिofferप्राणम्the incoming breathप्राणेinto the incoming breathअपानम्the outgoing breathतथाऽपरेand others likewiseप्राणापानगतीthe movements of incoming and outgoing breathsरुद्ध्वाhaving restrainedप्राणायामपरायणाःdevoted to breath-control
Read literallyinto the outgoing breath · offer · the incoming breath · into the incoming breath · the outgoing breath · and others likewise · the movements of incoming and outgoing breaths · having restrained · devoted to breath-control
Understanding the verse
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Prana into apana, apana into prana: Krishna names breath-control itself as a form of sacrifice.
Some practitioners use breath-control as a kind of sacrifice. They regulate inhalation and exhalation, and others do the same with disciplined eating.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna keeps unfolding the many forms of disciplined action for Arjuna, who is still frozen. After speaking of offerings, austerity, and study, he adds breath-control and regulated eating as living sacrifices done by serious practitioners.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
Before a board exam, a nervous student is told by her grandfather to breathe in slowly, hold, and let it out. Krishna lists that kind of breath discipline among real sacrifices when done with care and purpose.
The takeaway
“Even breathing can become a disciplined offering, not a restless habit.”
Explore related themes: yajna(32 verses), tapas(22 verses)
Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 4.29 mean?
Some practitioners use breath-control as a kind of sacrifice. They regulate inhalation and exhalation, and others do the same with disciplined eating.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.29?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga" (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 4.29?
Verse 29 sits in Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga, "Knowledge and Renunciation of Action". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 4.29 matter today?
Before a board exam, a nervous student is told by her grandfather to breathe in slowly, hold, and let it out. Krishna lists that kind of breath discipline among real sacrifices when done with care and purpose.
Prana into apana, apana into prana: Krishna names breath-control itself as a form of sacrifice.
What this verse means
Some practitioners use breath-control as a kind of sacrifice. They regulate inhalation and exhalation, and others do the same with disciplined eating.
Context & commentary
Krishna keeps unfolding the many forms of disciplined action for Arjuna, who is still frozen. After speaking of offerings, austerity, and study, he adds breath-control and regulated eating as living sacrifices done by serious practitioners.
What it looks like today
Before a board exam, a nervous student is told by her grandfather to breathe in slowly, hold, and let it out. Krishna lists that kind of breath discipline among real sacrifices when done with care and purpose.
“Even breathing can become a disciplined offering, not a restless habit.”
Explore related themes: yajna (32 verses), tapas (22 verses)