In Bhagavad Gita 4.36, Krishna says that even if one were the most sinful of all sinners, one would cross over all evil by the boat of knowledge.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः
सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः
सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव
वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि ॥ ४-३६ ॥
api cedasi pāpebhyaḥ
sarvebhyaḥ pāpakṛttamaḥ
sarvaṃ jñānaplavenaiva
vṛjinaṃ santariṣyasi
English transliteration api chedasi paapebhyah
sarvebhyah paapakrittamah
sarvam jnaanaplavenaiva
vrijinam santarishyasi ॥ 4.36 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Even if you were the most sinful of all sinners, you would cross over all evil by the boat of knowledge alone.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अपि api | even |
| चेत् cet | if |
| असि asi | you are |
| पापेभ्यः pāpebhyaḥ | than sinners |
| सर्वेभ्यः sarvebhyaḥ | all |
| पापकृत्तमः pāpakṛttamaḥ | the most sinful pāpa (sin) + kṛt (doer) + tamaḥ (most) |
| सर्वम् sarvam | all |
| ज्ञानप्लवेन jñānaplavena | by the boat of knowledge jñāna (knowledge) + plavena (by the boat) |
| एव eva | alone |
| वृजिनम् vṛjinam | evil, sin |
| सन्तरिष्यसि santariṣyasi | you will cross over |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–pi ce–da–si pā–pebh–yaḥ 8 syllables a-pi che-da-si paa-pebh-yah
- sar–vebh–yaḥ pā–pa–kṛt–ta–maḥ | 8 syllables sar-vebh-yah paa-pa-krit-ta-mah
- sar–vaṃ jñā–nap–la–ve–nai–va 8 syllables sar-vam jnaa-nap-la-ve-nai-va
- vṛ–ji–naṃ san–ta–riṣ–ya–si || 4-36 8 syllables vri-ji-nam san-ta-rish-ya-si
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 36
Context
Krishna emphasises the transforming power of knowledge (4.36–4.38).
Meaning
This is one of the most hopeful verses in the Gita. No past is so heavy that knowledge cannot carry us beyond it. Knowledge is compared to a plava, a boat, that carries the traveller across the ocean of sin and suffering. The past does not have the final word.
The verse does not excuse wrongdoing; it offers redemption. When a person truly realises the Self, the false identity that committed the wrongs dissolves. Many great saints began as sinners. The door to transformation is open to everyone.
In Practice
If you carry guilt about your past, remember this verse. Commit today to learning and living truth, trusting that it can carry you beyond the past.
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.