In Bhagavad Gita 4.33, Krishna says the sacrifice of knowledge is superior to material sacrifice, for all action culminates in knowledge.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञा-
ज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप
सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ
ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते ॥ ४-३३ ॥
śreyāndravyamayādyajñā-
jjñānayajñaḥ parantapa
sarvaṃ karmākhilaṃ pārtha
jñāne parisamāpyate
English transliteration shreyaandravyamayaadyajnaa-
jjnaanayajnah parantapa
sarvam karmaakhilam paartha
jnaane parisamaapyate ॥ 4.33 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The sacrifice of knowledge is superior to sacrifice made with material things, O scorcher of foes. All action in its entirety, O Partha, culminates in knowledge.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| श्रेयान् śreyān | superior |
| द्रव्यमयात् dravyamayāt | than that made of material things dravya (material) + mayāt (consisting of) |
| यज्ञात् yajñāt | than sacrifice |
| ज्ञानयज्ञः jñānayajñaḥ | the sacrifice of knowledge jñāna (knowledge) + yajñaḥ (sacrifice) |
| परन्तप parantapa | O scorcher of foes |
| सर्वम् sarvam | all |
| कर्म karma | action |
| अखिलम् akhilam | in its entirety |
| पार्थ pārtha | O Pārtha |
| ज्ञाने jñāne | in knowledge |
| परिसमाप्यते parisamāpyate | culminates |
Word-wise Chanting
- śre–yān–drav–ya–ma–yād–ya–jñā– 8 syllables shre-yaan-drav-ya-ma-yaad-ya-jnaa-
- jjñā–na–ya–jñaḥ pa–ran–ta–pa | 8 syllables jjnaa-na-ya-jnah pa-ran-ta-pa
- sar–vaṃ kar–mā–khi–laṃ pār–tha 8 syllables sar-vam kar-maa-khi-lam paar-tha
- jñā–ne pa–ri–sa–māp–ya–te || 4-33 8 syllables jnaa-ne pa-ri-sa-maap-ya-te
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 33
Context
Krishna draws the conclusion of the list of sacrifices: knowledge is the highest.
Meaning
Material sacrifices, rituals and offerings of wealth, are valuable, but jñāna-yajña, the sacrifice of knowledge, is higher. All actions find their fulfilment in knowledge: they purify the mind so that the truth of the Self can be known. Knowledge is the goal toward which all action points.
The verse does not reject action; it reveals its purpose. Practice is like climbing a mountain; knowledge is reaching the summit and seeing the view. Without the climb we cannot arrive; without the summit the climb is incomplete.
In Practice
After any practice or good deed today, ask: “What has this taught me about who I am?” Let action ripen into understanding.
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.