Shloka 50
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
ज्ञानकर्मगुणोपेता यद्यप्येते बहुश्रुताः । ब्राह्मणः सर्ववर्णानां स्वस्ति कुर्यादिति श्रुतिः
jñānakarmaguṇopetā yadyapyete bahuśrutāḥ | brāhmaṇaḥ sarvavarṇānāṃ svasti kuryāditi śrutiḥ
जरी हे लोक ज्ञान, कर्म व गुणांनी युक्त आणि बहुश्रुत असले, तरीही श्रुती सांगते की सर्व वर्णांसाठी स्वस्तिवाचन ब्राह्मणानेच करावे।
Unspecified (narratorial/quoted śruti statement within the chapter’s discourse)
Concept: Ritual and social life are sanctified by benediction (svasti); śruti assigns the brāhmaṇa the role of pronouncing blessings for all varṇas, even when others are learned and virtuous.
Application: Seek and offer blessings respectfully (from elders/teachers); use speech to bless rather than dominate—make ‘svasti’ a daily habit in family/community interactions.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sacred fire burns steadily as a brāhmaṇa raises his right hand in blessing, uttering ‘svasti’ over representatives of all varṇas seated respectfully before him. The air seems to shimmer with mantra, as if the syllables themselves form a protective canopy.","primary_figures":["brāhmaṇa priest","representatives of varṇas (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra)","optional: Agni as personified flame-deity"],"setting":"Yajña-śālā with a square fire-altar, ladles, kusa grass, and a manuscript stand; simple, solemn ritual space.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["fire orange","ash white","saffron","copper","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central brāhmaṇa priest beside a blazing homa-kuṇḍa, right hand in abhaya/benediction gesture, gold leaf flames and altar ornaments, rich saffron and crimson drapery, gem-like highlights on ritual vessels, symmetrical arrangement of seated listeners from different varṇas.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate yajña scene with delicate brushwork, soft smoke curls, the priest’s calm face, cool background blues, warm fire glow, refined detailing of kusa grass and ladles, gentle naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized Agni flames, priest in traditional attire with large expressive eyes, strong red-yellow-green palette, ornamental borders with lotus and flame motifs, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ritual scene framed by ornate floral borders, stylized fire-altar at center, lotus motifs interwoven with flame patterns, deep blue ground with gold highlights, figures arranged in devotional symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["fire crackle","mantra drone","temple bells","conch shell","soft hand cymbals"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ज्ञानकर्मगुणोपेता = ज्ञानकर्मगुण + उपेताः; कuryāditi = कुर्यात् + इति (त् + इ → दि)।
FAQs
It states that, according to śruti (scriptural authority), the formal act of pronouncing auspicious blessings (svasti) for all varṇas is assigned to the brāhmaṇa.
No. It explicitly acknowledges that others may be learned and endowed with knowledge, duties, and virtues, but still affirms a specific ritual-social function for the brāhmaṇa.
The verse reflects a dharma-based division of responsibilities, emphasizing role-specific duties and the authority of scriptural injunctions in defining communal religious functions.