Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4, verse 37 · Krishna
Bhagavad Gita 4.37 · Yathaidhamsi
यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन ।
ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा ॥
yathaidhāṃsi samiddho’gnirbhasmasātkurute’rjuna |
jñānāgniḥ sarvakarmāṇi bhasmasātkurute tathā ||
Translation
As a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, Arjuna, so the fire of knowledge turns all actions to ashes.
Context
Spoken by Krishna in chapter 4, Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga — “The Yoga of Knowledge and the Renunciation of Action”, which has 42 verses.
Frequently asked questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 4.37 mean?
As a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, Arjuna, so the fire of knowledge turns all actions to ashes.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.37?
Krishna, speaking to Arjuna, in chapter 4, Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge and the Renunciation of Action).
Sanskrit text: traditional, public domain. Translation and explanation are our own.