Chapter 4 Verse 36
Jñāna Karm Sanyās Yog
अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः। सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि।।4.36।।
api ched asi pāpebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ pāpa-kṛit-tamaḥ sarvaṁ jñāna-plavenaiva vṛijinaṁ santariṣhyasi
Word Meanings
| api | even |
| chet | if |
| asi | you are |
| pāpebhyaḥ | sinners |
| sarvebhyaḥ | of all |
| pāpa-kṛit-tamaḥ | most sinful |
| sarvam | all |
| jñāna-plavena | by the boat of divine knowledge |
| eva | certainly |
| vṛijinam | sin |
| santariṣhyasi | you shall cross over |
Translation
Even if thou art the most sinful of all sinners, yet thou shalt surely cross over all sins by the raft of knowledge.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says no one is beyond change. Even if you have done many wrong things, true knowledge can carry you beyond guilt and wrong patterns.
The "raft of knowledge" means deep understanding of who you are and how actions bind you. It is not only book learning, but clear inner seeing that removes ignorance and fear.
When you know the truth about yourself, you stop repeating harmful habits. Knowledge heals by changing how you see yourself and others, and that change naturally alters your actions.
Life Application
- Stop blaming yourself and begin learning: admit mistakes, then read, reflect, or seek guidance to see a better path.
- Practice one simple spiritual habit daily (short meditation, honest self-check, or a moral reading) to build inner clarity.
- Turn insight into action: apologize if needed, repair harm, and choose one small, concrete change in behavior.
Reflection Question
What honest truth about myself do I need to learn now to stop repeating the same mistake?