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Chapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge · 42 verses

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Duty & actionChapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge
4.274.29

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.28

Sacrifice, discipline and knowledge

द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे ।

स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः ॥ २८ ॥

dravya-yajñās tapo-yajñā

yoga-yajñās tathāpare

svādhyāya-jñāna-yajñāś ca

yatayaḥ saṁśita-vratāḥ

Translation

Having accepted strict vows, some become enlightened by sacrificing their possessions, and others by performing severe austerities, by practicing the yoga of eightfold mysticism, or by studying the Vedas to advance in transcendental knowledge.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Different Forms of Sacrifice

  1. 1With strict vows, some gain enlightenment by giving possessions, accepting severe austerities, practicing eightfold yoga, or studying the Vedas.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that these sacrifices seek a higher status of life. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is different: it directly serves the Supreme Lord.
  3. 3Kṛṣṇa consciousness is transcendental. It comes only through the mercy of the Lord and His genuine devotees, not through these sacrifices.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 4, Transcendental Knowledge: sacrifice, discipline and knowledge.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Act dutifully without attachment to fruits.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: karma, sva-dharma.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 4.28 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 4 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 4.25Sacrifice, discipline and knowledgeBG 4.26Sacrifice, discipline and knowledgeBG 2.47Responsibility without ownership of outcomesBG 3.21Leadership by example

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.