Chapter 4 Verse 40
Jñāna Karm Sanyās Yog
अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति। नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः।।4.40।।
ajñaśh chāśhraddadhānaśh cha sanśhayātmā vinaśhyati nāyaṁ loko ’sti na paro na sukhaṁ sanśhayātmanaḥ
Word Meanings
| ajñaḥ | the ignorant |
| cha | and |
| aśhraddadhānaḥ | without faith |
| cha | and |
| sanśhaya | skeptical |
| ātmā | a person |
| vinaśhyati | falls down |
| na | never |
| ayam | in this |
| lokaḥ | world |
| asti | is |
| na | not |
| paraḥ | in the next |
| na | not |
| sukham | happiness |
| sanśhaya-ātmanaḥ | for the skeptical soul |
Translation
The ignorant, the faithless, and the doubting self go to destruction; there is neither this world nor the other, nor happiness for the doubting one.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse warns that a mind stuck in ignorance and doubt loses its way. When you cannot trust what is true or what you have learned, your life becomes directionless and unhappy.
Faith here does not mean blind belief. It means steady trust based on practice and experience. Without that steady trust, you cannot find peace in this life or any deeper inner life.
Doubt that paralyzes action destroys possibilities. Clarity, honest learning, and consistent effort build the inner strength that leads to real happiness.
Life Application
- Build small habits of study and practice (meditation, prayer, or service) so trust grows from experience, not just words.
- When you feel stuck by doubt, take one clear, simple action aligned with your values to break the paralysis.
- Learn from trustworthy teachers and texts, but test teachings through your own practice to develop steady confidence.
Reflection Question
What one small practice could I try consistently to turn doubting into steady trust?