Topic

Knowledge as fire

2 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on knowledge as fire. Explore teachings across 1 chapter.

All Verses

Chapter 4 • Verse 19 →The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation
Yasya sarve samarambhah kama-sankalpa-varjitah, jnanagni-dagdha-karmanam tam ahuh panditam budhah

The wise call that person a pandit (learned one) whose every undertaking is free from desire and personal motive, and whose actions are burned up by the fire of knowledge.

  • •True scholarship is measured by freedom from selfish desire
  • •Knowledge as fire purifies the storehouse of karma
  • •The enlightened person acts but leaves no karmic residue
desirepanditpurificationkarma
Chapter 4 • Verse 37 →The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation
Yathaidhamsi samiddho 'gnir bhasmasat kurute 'rjuna, jnanagnih sarva-karmani bhasmasat kurute tatha

As a blazing fire turns wood to ashes, O Arjuna, so the fire of knowledge burns all karmic reactions to ashes.

  • •Knowledge is the most powerful purifier
  • •All past karma is dissolved by the flame of jnana
  • •This simile shows the completeness of knowledge's transforming power
karmapurificationashesjnana