In Bhagavad Gita 4.42, the last verse of Chapter 4, Krishna tells Arjuna to cut the doubt born of ignorance with the sword of knowledge, take refuge in yoga, and arise.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
तस्मादज्ञानसम्भूतं
हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनात्मनः
छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगम्
आतिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत ॥ ४-४२ ॥
tasmādajñānasambhūtaṃ
hṛtsthaṃ jñānāsinātmanaḥ
chittvainaṃ saṃśayaṃ yogam
ātiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhārata
English transliteration tasmaadajnaanasambhootam
hritstham jnaanaasinaatmanah
chhittvainam samshayam yogam
aatishthottishtha bhaarata ॥ 4.42 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Therefore, cutting asunder with the sword of knowledge this doubt in your heart born of ignorance, take refuge in yoga, and arise, O descendant of Bharata.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तस्मात् tasmāt | therefore |
| अज्ञानसम्भूतम् ajñānasambhūtam | born of ignorance ajñāna (ignorance) + sambhūtam (born) |
| हृत्स्थम् hṛtstham | residing in the heart hṛt (heart) + stham (residing) |
| ज्ञानासिना jñānāsinā | with the sword of knowledge jñāna (knowledge) + asinā (with the sword) |
| आत्मनः ātmanaḥ | your own |
| छित्त्वा chittvā | cutting |
| एनम् enam | this |
| संशयम् saṃśayam | doubt |
| योगम् yogam | yoga |
| आतिष्ठ ātiṣṭha | take refuge in |
| उत्तिष्ठ uttiṣṭha | arise |
| भारत bhārata | O descendant of Bharata |
Word-wise Chanting
- tas–mā–da–jñā–na–sam–bhū–taṃ 8 syllables tas-maa-da-jnaa-na-sam-bhoo-tam
- hṛt–sthaṃ jñā–nā–si–nāt–ma–naḥ | 8 syllables hrit-stham jnaa-naa-si-naat-ma-nah
- chit–tvai–naṃ saṃ–śa–yaṃ yo–gam– 8 syllables chhit-tvai-nam sam-sha-yam yo-gam-
- ā–tiṣ–ṭhot–tiṣ–ṭha bhā–ra–ta || 4-42 8 syllables aa-tish-thot-tish-tha bhaa-ra-ta
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 42
Context
The final verse of Chapter 4 gives Arjuna a direct command, summing up the chapter.
Meaning
Arjuna’s doubt sits in his heart, hṛt-stha, born of ajñāna, ignorance. Krishna tells him to cut it with the jñāna-asi, the sword of knowledge, which only he can wield for himself. Then he must take his stand in yoga and arise, uttiṣṭha, the same call heard in Chapter 2.
The image is powerful: the weapon Arjuna needs most is not his bow but the sword of knowledge. Every person has inner doubts that keep them from living fully. Knowledge cuts them; yoga steadies us; and then we can stand up and act.
In Practice
Write down the doubt that most holds you back. Next to it, write the clearest understanding you have that answers it. Then take one decisive step.
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.