Chapter 4: Jñāna Karma Sannyāsa Yoga – Renunciation of Actions through Enlightenment: Verse 15
एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभि: ।
कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वै: पूर्वतरं कृतम् ॥
evaṃ jñātvā kṛtaṃ karma pūrvair-api mumukṣubhi:
kuru karmaiva tasmāt-tvaṃ pūrvai: pūrvataraṃ kṛtam – 4.15
Understanding matters thus in full light, seekers in the past had performed their activities well. Therefore, you too do yours, as did your predecessors.
Chapter 4: Jñāna Karma Sannyāsa Yoga – Renunciation of Actions through Enlightenment - Verse 15
Ma Gurupriya
Here Krishna comes to human-level and aligns himself with many others of the past. Seekers of yore, he says, had plunged into their activities, without resistance or remorse.
Krishna has already cited Janaka and the rest, who sat on the throne and pursued the most onerous task of ruling their kingdom, ensuring the welfare of people, a mission full of challenges, strifes and hazards. Of the many vital tasks the society needs, ruling is the most crucial.
Why should Arjuna then feel doubtful about battling, a duty all kshatriyas are given to by birth, tendencies and training? There is nothing to be reluctant or remorseful about the mission.
“You have come here to fight against fighters. Is not your grandfather clearly exhorting you and others to fight? If they have no resistance in battling, why should you have? Their presence must mean the necessary sanction and inspiration.”
