In Bhagavad Gita 4.1, Krishna reveals that he taught this imperishable yoga to Vivasvan, the sun god, who passed it to Manu, and Manu to Ikshvaku.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
इमं विवस्वते योगं
प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्
विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह
मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् ॥ ४-१ ॥
imaṃ vivasvate yogaṃ
proktavānahamavyayam
vivasvānmanave prāha
manurikṣvākave’bravīt
English transliteration imam vivasvate yogam
proktavaanahamavyayam
vivasvaanmanave praaha
manurikshvaakave’braveet ॥ 4.1 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The Blessed Lord said: I taught this imperishable yoga to Vivasvan; Vivasvan taught it to Manu, and Manu taught it to Ikshvaku.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| इमम् imam | this |
| विवस्वते vivasvate | to Vivasvān (the sun god) |
| योगम् yogam | yoga |
| प्रोक्तवान् proktavān | taught |
| अहम् aham | I |
| अव्ययम् avyayam | imperishable |
| विवस्वान् vivasvān | Vivasvān |
| मनवे manave | to Manu |
| प्राह prāha | taught |
| मनुः manuḥ | Manu |
| इक्ष्वाकवे ikṣvākave | to Ikṣvāku |
| अब्रवीत् abravīt | taught |
Word-wise Chanting
- i–maṃ vi–vas–va–te yo–gaṃ 8 syllables i-mam vi-vas-va-te yo-gam
- prok–ta–vā–na–ha–mav–ya–yam | 8 syllables prok-ta-vaa-na-ha-mav-ya-yam
- vi–vas–vān–ma–na–ve prā–ha 8 syllables vi-vas-vaan-ma-na-ve praa-ha
- ma–nu–rikṣ–vā–ka–ve–‘bra–vīt || 4-1 8 syllables ma-nu-riksh-vaa-ka-ve-‘bra-veet
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 4 Verse 1
Context
Chapter 4, the Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action, opens with Krishna placing his teaching in an ancient line of transmission.
Meaning
Krishna tells Arjuna that the yoga he is teaching is not new. It was first given to Vivasvan, the sun, then to Manu, father of humanity and lawgiver, and then to Ikshvaku, founder of the solar dynasty of kings. The teaching is avyaya, imperishable: it belongs to the foundation of human order itself.
The verse gives the Gita’s teaching great authority and continuity. Wisdom is not invented by each generation; it is received, lived and passed on. It also introduces a mystery: Krishna speaks as one who existed at the dawn of time, preparing for the revelation of his divine nature in the verses to come.
In Practice
Think of a piece of wisdom that came to you through a teacher, parent or tradition. Honour it today by living it, and passing it on.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.