In Bhagavad Gita 4.37, Krishna says that as a blazing fire reduces fuel to ashes, so the fire of knowledge reduces all karma to ashes.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्
भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन
ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि
भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा ॥ ४-३७ ॥
yathaidhāṃsi samiddho’gnir
bhasmasātkurute’rjuna
jñānāgniḥ sarvakarmāṇi
bhasmasātkurute tathā
English transliteration yathaidhaamsi samiddho’gnir
bhasmasaatkurute’rjuna
jnaanaagnih sarvakarmaani
bhasmasaatkurute tathaa ॥ 4.37 ॥
Translation / Meaning
As a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, O Arjuna, so the fire of knowledge turns all actions to ashes.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यथा yathā | as |
| एधांसि edhāṃsi | firewood |
| समिद्धः samiddhaḥ | blazing |
| अग्निः agniḥ | fire |
| भस्मसात् bhasmasāt | to ashes |
| कुरुते kurute | turns |
| अर्जुन arjuna | O Arjuna |
| ज्ञानाग्निः jñānāgniḥ | the fire of knowledge jñāna (knowledge) + agniḥ (fire) |
| सर्वकर्माणि sarvakarmāṇi | all actions sarva (all) + karmāṇi (actions) |
| भस्मसात् bhasmasāt | to ashes |
| कुरुते kurute | turns |
| तथा tathā | so |
Word-wise Chanting
- ya–thai–dhāṃ–si sa–mid–dho–‘gnir– 8 syllables ya-thai-dhaam-si sa-mid-dho-‘gnir-
- bhas–ma–sāt–ku–ru–te–‘rju–na | 8 syllables bhas-ma-saat-ku-ru-te-‘rju-na
- jñā–nāg–niḥ sar–va–kar–mā–ṇi 8 syllables jnaa-naag-nih sar-va-kar-maa-ni
- bhas–ma–sāt–ku–ru–te ta–thā || 4-37 8 syllables bhas-ma-saat-ku-ru-te ta-thaa
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 37
Context
Krishna continues his praise of knowledge with the image of fire (following 4.36).
Meaning
The accumulated karma of countless actions is like a great pile of firewood. Knowledge of the Self is like a blazing fire that consumes it all. Once burned, the wood cannot produce flames again. The karmic seeds lose their power to produce future bondage.
This image complements the boat of the previous verse. The boat carries us across; the fire burns away what binds us. Self-knowledge is not merely information; it is a transforming force that changes our relationship with the past.
In Practice
Light a lamp or candle today and reflect on this verse: let the flame remind you of the power of knowledge to burn away what binds you.
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.