Bhagavad Gita BG 4.42
Chapter 4, Verse 42 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
तस्मादज्ञानसम्भूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनाऽत्मनः । छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगम् आतिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत ॥
tasmad ajnana-sambhutam hrt-stham jnanasina 'tmanah chittvaim samsayam yogam atishthottishtha bharata
Meaning
Therefore, with the sword of Self-knowledge, cut asunder this doubt born of ignorance that dwells in your heart. Take refuge in yoga. Rise, O Arjuna.
Understanding
The chapter's final call to action. Three imperatives: (1) Chittva — CUT, using jnanasina (the sword of knowledge) this doubt (samsaya) born of ajnana (ignorance) that sits in the hrt (heart). (2) Atishtha yogam — take your stand in yoga, be established in it. (3) Uttishtha — RISE. This last word echoes verse 2.3. The entire chapter has built to this: know the truth, cut doubt, and act. The sword of wisdom does not avoid battle — it enables the truest engagement with it.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अज्ञानसम्भूतम् | ajnana-sambhutam | born of ignorance, arising from not-knowing |
| हृत्स्थम् | hrt-stham | dwelling in the heart |
| ज्ञानासिना | jnanasina | with the sword of knowledge |
| छित्त्वा | chittva | having cut, severing |
| उत्तिष्ठ | uttishtha | rise up, stand up |
| तस्मात् | tasmāt | therefore |
| आत्मनः | ātmanaḥ | of the self / lodged in the heart |
| एनम् | enam | this (doubt) |
| संशयम् | samsayam | doubt / uncertainty |
| योगम् | yogam | yoga / the path of action |
| आतिष्ठ | ātiṣṭha | take up / stand firm in (imperative) |
| भारत | bhārata | O Bharata (Arjuna) |