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चतुर्थोऽध्यायः
श्रीभगवानुवाच। $$ इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम् ।
विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् ॥१॥ एवं परंपराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः। स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्ट : परंतप ॥२॥ स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः। भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥ ३॥
CHAPTER IV, [ This chapter further emphasises the principles of Karma-Yoga which have been explained so far, namely, (i) as nobody can escape Karma (Action), Action must be performed, though the Reason may have become desireless; (ii) 'Karma' means, such karmu as Yajñas and Yāgas etc.; (iii) but, as this Karma (ritual) of the Mimāmsā school is productive of heaven, and consequently to a certain extent binding, it must be performed having given up Attachment (āsakti); (iv) even though selfishness disappears as a result of Knowledge, Action does not cease to be necessary; and, therefore, even a Jñänin must perform Desireless Action, as such Action is essential in the interests of universal welfare. In order that Arjuna should not suspect that this course of conduct, or Nisthā was something new, which had been prescribed for him, the Blessed Lord now first explains the ancient tradition of this teaching which has been handed down from preceptor to disciple. ]
(1) I expounded this auyaya (that is, inexhaustible, or which is not touched by past, present, or future, and is permanent) (Karma-) Yoga to Vivasvat (that is, the Sun); Vivasvat expounded it to (his son) Manu; and Manu expounded it to (his son) Iksvāku. (2) This Yoga, come into existence by this tradition, came to be known to the Royal Sages; but, O Śatrutāpana! (Arjuna), after the lapse of considerable time, it ceased to exist on this world. (3) That same ancient Yoga (Karma-Yoga-mārga) has been
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