Shloka 15
ध्यानयोगः — Dhyāna-Yoga
Discipline of Meditation and Mental Restraint
Devanagari script
एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वरपि मुमुक्षुभि: । कुरु कर्मव तस्मात्त्व॑ पूर्व: पूर्वतरं कृतम्
Transliteration
evaṁ jñātvā kṛtaṁ karma pūrvair api mumukṣubhiḥ | kuru karmaiva tasmāt tvaṁ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataraṁ kṛtam ||
Translation
既知此理，古时求解脱者亦行诸业。故你亦当行业——行那自久远以来先祖所行之本分——使你的行持与既定的正法之道相应。
Word by Word
एवम्thus, in this manner
एवम्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootएवम्
ज्ञात्वाhaving known
ज्ञात्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootज्ञा
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), parasmaipada (usage-neutral)
कृतम्done, performed
कृतम्:
TypeVerb
Rootकृ
Formक्त (past passive participle), neuter, nominative/accusative, singular
कर्मaction, duty
कर्म:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootकर्मन्
Formneuter, nominative/accusative, singular
पूर्वम्formerly, earlier
पूर्वम्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootपूर्व
अपिalso, even
अपि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि
मुमुक्षुभिःby those desiring liberation
मुमुक्षुभिः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootमुमुक्षु
Formmasculine, instrumental, plural
कुरुdo, perform
कुरु:
TypeVerb
Rootकृ
Formलोट् (imperative), 2, singular, parasmaipada
कर्मaction, duty
कर्म:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootकर्मन्
Formneuter, accusative, singular
वैindeed, surely
वै:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootवै
तस्मात्therefore, from that reason
तस्मात्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतस्मात् (तद्)
त्वम्you
त्वम्:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootयुष्मद्
Formnominative, singular
पूर्वैःby the ancients, by predecessors
पूर्वैः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootपूर्व
Formmasculine, instrumental, plural
पूर्वतरम्more ancient, earlier still
पूर्वतरम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootपूर्वतर
Formneuter, accusative, singular, comparative
कृतम्done, performed
कृतम्:
TypeVerb
Rootकृ
Formक्त (past passive participle), neuter, accusative, singular
Speaker
अजुन उवाच
Characters & Entities
A
ArjunaA
ancient seekers of liberation (mumukṣus)F
forefathers/ancients (pūrvāḥ)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
Even those aiming for liberation did not abandon rightful action; one should perform one’s prescribed duties in continuity with the righteous example set by earlier generations.
In the instruction on dharma and right conduct, the speaker urges the listener to act rather than withdraw, citing the precedent of ancient seekers who pursued liberation while still performing their duties.