In Bhagavad Gita 4.26, Krishna says some offer the senses like hearing into the fires of restraint, while others offer sense objects like sound into the fires of the senses.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
श्रोत्रादीनीन्द्रियाण्यन्ये
संयमाग्निषु जुह्वति
शब्दादीन्विषयानन्य
इन्द्रियाग्निषु जुह्वति ॥ ४-२६ ॥
śrotrādīnīndriyāṇyanye
saṃyamāgniṣu juhvati
śabdādīnviṣayānanya
indriyāgniṣu juhvati
English transliteration shrotraadeeneendriyaanyanye
samyamaagnishu juhvati
shabdaadeenvishayaananya
indriyaagnishu juhvati ॥ 4.26 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Some offer the senses, such as hearing, into the fires of restraint; others offer the objects of the senses, such as sound, into the fires of the senses.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| श्रोत्रादीनि śrotrādīni | hearing and the others śrotra (hearing) + ādīni (and others) |
| इन्द्रियाणि indriyāṇi | senses |
| अन्ये anye | some |
| संयमाग्निषु saṃyamāgniṣu | in the fires of restraint saṃyama (restraint) + agniṣu (in fires) |
| जुह्वति juhvati | offer |
| शब्दादीन् śabdādīn | sound and the others śabda (sound) + ādīn (and others) |
| विषयान् viṣayān | sense objects |
| अन्ये anye | others |
| इन्द्रियाग्निषु indriyāgniṣu | in the fires of the senses indriya (senses) + agniṣu (in fires) |
| जुह्वति juhvati | offer |
Word-wise Chanting
- śrot–rā–dī–nīn–dri–yāṇ–yan–ye 8 syllables shrot-raa-dee-neen-dri-yaan-yan-ye
- saṃ–ya–māg–ni–ṣu juh–va–ti | 8 syllables sam-ya-maag-ni-shu juh-va-ti
- śab–dā–dīn–vi–ṣa–yā–nan–ya 8 syllables shab-daa-deen-vi-sha-yaa-nan-ya
- in–dri–yāg–ni–ṣu juh–va–ti || 4-26 8 syllables in-dri-yaag-ni-shu juh-va-ti
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 26
Context
Krishna continues his list of sacrifices (4.25–4.30), now describing disciplines of the senses.
Meaning
Two practices are described. In the first, the senses themselves are offered into the fire of saṃyama, restraint: one withdraws them from objects, as in strict discipline. In the second, one engages with sense objects, sounds, sights and tastes, but offers them into the senses as into a fire, experiencing without attachment.
Both are valid paths. Some grow through renunciation; others grow through mindful engagement, receiving experience as an offering. The key in both is that the senses are no longer servants of craving but instruments of consecration.
In Practice
Choose one of the two practices today: either abstain from a particular sense pleasure, or enjoy one fully as an offering, without craving more.
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.