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Bhagavad-gītā 4.32

एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे । कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे ॥ ३२ ॥
evaṁ bahu-vidhā yajñā
[evam bahu-vidhaa yajnaa]
vitatā brahmaṇo mukhe
[vitataa brahmano mukhe]
karma-jān viddhi tān sarvān
[karma-jaan viddhi taan sarvaan]
evaṁ jñātvā vimokṣyase
[evam jnaatvaa vimokshyase]
Word-for-word
evam — thus bahu - vidhāḥ — various kinds of yajñāḥ — sacrifices vitatāḥ — are spread brahmaṇaḥ — of the Vedas mukhe — through the mouth karma - jān — born of work viddhi — you should know tān — them sarvān — all evam — thus jñātvā — knowing vimokṣyase — you will be liberated .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
evaṁ bahu-vidhā yajñā
evam
thus
bahu - vidhāḥ
various kinds of
yajñāḥ
sacrifices
vitatā brahmaṇo mukhe
vitatāḥ
are spread
brahmaṇaḥ
of the Vedas
mukhe
through the mouth
karma-jān viddhi tān sarvān
karma - jān
born of work
viddhi
you should know
tān
them
sarvān
all
evaṁ jñātvā vimokṣyase
evam
thus
jñātvā
knowing
vimokṣyase
you will be liberated .
Important Words
  • bahu - vidhāḥ — many varieties
    Compound: bahu (many) + vidha (kind). Plural. The verse insists on the *diversity* of yajñas. Reducing sacrifice to a single form (fire-offering, or charity, or one's chosen ritual) is to miss the Vedas' breadth.
  • vitatāḥ — spread out, expanded
    Past passive participle of vi + √tan — 'extended forth.' The yajñas are *unrolled* in the Vedas. The image is of a great cloth spread out: many patterns, one fabric.
  • brahmaṇaḥ — of the Vedas / of Brahman
    Genitive of brahman. Here brahman refers to the Vedas (śabda-brahman). Paired with mukhe (in the mouth), the yajñas are 'in the mouth of the Vedas' — i.e., directly spoken by Vedic authority. Not human invention.
  • karma - jān — born of work
    Same compound as in 4.12 (karma-jā) but in accusative plural. All these yajñas, however elevated, are born of *action*. Knowing this is itself liberating: every yajña is rooted in karma-yoga's soil.
  • vimokṣyase — you shall be liberated
    Second-person future passive of vi + √muc. Same root as mokṣyase in 4.16. The Gītā repeats the mokṣa-promise at structural hinges of the chapter. Knowing yajña-diversity is itself liberation.
All these different types of sacrifice are approved by the Vedas, and all of them are born of different types of work. Knowing them as such, you will become liberated.
Classical Sanskrit analysis शास्त्रीय विश्लेषण
How Sanskrit scholars read this verse — split, rearranged, grammar-tagged. For the plain English distilled meaning, jump to Plain meaning below.
Auto-generated study layers — original analysis of the public-domain śloka. Review against a published edition for academic work.
Plain meaning (तात्पर्य · Tātparya)
Every variety of yajña is sanctioned in scripture — but all are 'born of action.' Recognizing them as karma-jā (rather than mistaking them for ends in themselves) is the very knowledge that liberates.
Further notes (विवरण · Vivaraṇa)
ब्रह्मणः मुखे — 'in the face / mouth of Brahman' — means in the Veda, which is the speech of Brahman. The verse insists that even ritually authorized acts remain within the domain of karma; only ज्ञान lifts the practitioner out. Sets up 4.33's elevation of jñāna-yajña above material yajña.
Prose order (अन्वय · Anvaya)
एवम् बहु-विधाः यज्ञाः ब्रह्मणः मुखे विततः; तान् सर्वान् कर्म-जान् विद्धि; एवम् ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे।
evam bahu-vidhāḥ yajñāḥ brahmaṇaḥ mukhe vitataḥ; tān sarvān karma-jān viddhi; evam jñātvā vimokṣyase|
Thus manifold sacrifices are spread out in the mouth of Brahman (the Veda); know all of them as born of action — knowing this, you will be released.
Word split (पदच्छेद · Padaccheda)
एवम् बहु-विधाः यज्ञाः विततः ब्रह्मणः मुखे । कर्म-जान् विद्धि तान् सर्वान् एवम् ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे ॥
evam bahu-vidhāḥ yajñāḥ vitataḥ brahmaṇaḥ mukhe | karma-jān viddhi tān sarvān evam jñātvā vimokṣyase ||
Grammar (व्याकरण · Vyākaraṇa)
SanskritIASTGrammarMeaning
एवम् evam ind. (indeclinable), manner thus
बहु-विधाः bahu-vidhāḥ बहु + विध (adj.) nom.pl. (nominative plural)m., karmadhāraya manifold
यज्ञाः yajñāḥ यज्ञ (m.) nom.pl. (nominative plural) sacrifices
विततः vitataḥ वि+√तन् p.p.p. (past passive participle) nom.pl. (nominative plural)m. spread out, displayed
ब्रह्मणः brahmaṇaḥ ब्रह्मन् (n.) gen.sg. (genitive singular) of Brahman / the Veda
मुखे mukhe मुख (n.) loc.sg. (locative singular) in the mouth
कर्म-जान् karma-jān कर्मन् + ज (adj.) acc.pl. (accusative plural)m., tatpuruṣa cpd. (compound) born of action
विद्धि viddhi √विद् imperat. 2sg.par. (parasmaipada / active voice) know!
तान् tān तद् (dem. (demonstrative) pron. (pronoun)) acc.pl. (accusative plural)m. them
सर्वान् sarvān सर्व (adj.) acc.pl. (accusative plural)m. all
ज्ञात्वा jñātvā √ज्ञा abs. (absolutive) having known
विमोक्ष्यसे vimokṣyase वि+√मुच् fut. (future) pass. (passive) 2sg.ātm. (ātmanepada / middle voice) you will be released
Purport

Different types of sacrifice, as discussed above, are mentioned in the Vedas to suit the different types of worker. Because men are so deeply absorbed in the bodily concept, these sacrifices are so arranged that one can work either with the body, with the mind or with the intelligence. But all of them are recommended for ultimately bringing about liberation from the body. This is confirmed by the Lord herewith from His own mouth.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
32. Thus many types of sacrifice have been described in the Vedas. Know that they are all based on actions of body, mind and words. Knowing this, you will be liberated.
Commentary

Brahmaṇaḥ means the Vedas. The phrase vitatā brahmaṇo mukhe whose literal meaning is “spread in the mouth of the Vedas” actually means “clearly spoken of by the Vedas themselves.” Karma-jān means based on the actions of the body, mind and words.

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
32. Thus many types of sacrifice have been described in the Vedas. Know that they are all based on prescribed actions of body, mind and words. Knowing and practicing this, you will be liberated.
Commentary

These many sacrifices are spread in the mouth of the Vedas (brahmaṇaḥ). This means that these sacrifices are clearly described by the Vedas, the mouth of the Lord, which present the means of understanding the real self. Know that these sacrifices are all born from activities of the body, mind and words (karma jān). Understanding (jñātvā), that is, practicing these sacrifices described by the Vedas as means of attaining ātmā and the Lord, on seeing both ātmā and paramātmā by realization that arises from that practice, you will be liberated from saṁsāra.

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Translation
All these different types of sacrifice are approved by the Vedas, and all of them are born of different types of work. Knowing them as such, you will become liberated. PURPORT "Different types of sacrifice, as discussed above, are mentioned in the Vedas to suit the different types of worker. Because men are so deeply absorbed in the bodily concept, these sacrifices are so arranged that one can work either with the body, with the mind, or with the intelligence. But all of them are recommended for ultimately bringing about liberation from the body. This is confirmed by the Lord herewith from His own mouth."
Commentary

The basic principle is that human life is meant for advancement in spiritual life and the process of advancing is sacrificing. We have learnt of this in the 3rd Chapter when one is performing the karma‑kanda, sacrifices recommended in the Vedas ‑ he is working and he is getting the results of his work and he doesn't try to use all for his own sense pleasure, but rather he offers back to the demigods. And Krsna that one who doesn't offer back in sacrifice something that he has, some ability, some fruit of his work, etc, if one just lives selfishly ‑ in the 3rd Chapter says that he lives in vain. And over he Text 31, "without sacrifice one can never live happily on planet or in this life what to speak of the next". How foolishly contemporary men is trying to live, is trying their utmost to become happy, but without any sacrifice, rather by increase of selfishness. And practically we can see there is no peace, no happiness, even though superficially there is an increase of sense enjoyment. By selfish living the result is not only no happiness in this life but in the next life it will be worst. Krsna sums it up in the Purport, explaining that according to one's position, according to one's consciousness, according to one's situation in the modes of material nature, according to one's tendency, one will have the tendency or leaning to perform a particular type of sacrifice. According to impressions from previous lives, one will tend to perform one type of sacrifice (someone breath control, others knowledge, others sacrificing material possessions...) and superficially all these look different as if they were completly different sacrifices and therefore they had a completly different goal or purpose ‑ actually they are all born of different type of work or karma or consciousness. According to his consciousness one will have a particular tendency to perform sacrifice. And, regardless of the type of sacrifice one is performing, they are leading to the same thing and the same goal ‑ that is transcendental knowledge. And the purpose of transcendental knowledge is freedom from the bondage of material life ‑ liberation. And knowing how all differents types of sacrifice lead to transcendental knowledge and liberation ‑ just knowing that is so beneficial that will push one towards liberation.

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

Why variety of sacrifices are recommended – As different medicines are prescribed for different

diseases; different varieties of sacrifices are prescribed to suit different types of workers

Principle: Because the conditioned soul is in deep bodily concept – Work with body, mind or intelligence, in the form of different sacrifices, is recommended to ultimately get liberation (4.32 purport)
Focus of Learning

(a) Material entanglement – a loop difficult to escape:

(b) Only loophole: Human life

(c) Role of Vedas to help us escape

Vedas gives us a chance for escape by pointing out Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha
Dharma give Artha – Path of religion, or different kinds of sacrifices, automatically solves our economical problems – By Yajna we get enough food, milk etc.
After Artha comes Kama – When the body is fully satisfied, next stage is to satisfy the senses, therefore Vedas prescribe sacred marriage for regulated sense gratification
Gradually one is elevated to the platform of Moksha; All this starts from performance of Yajna, therefore yajna is very important for happiness

(d) Life of Krishna consciousness – only solution to all problems because there is higher level of

happiness

Sinful life

Drags one

into

material

existence

Ignorance

goal mentioned in the Summarized Theme 4B

(a) Common aim – To control the senses

Sense gratification is the root cause of material existence

(b) Freedom from sinful reaction

(c) Gain transcendental knowledge and gradually devotional service (4.33 purport)

(d) One tastes the nectar in this life and the next – Happy in this life and later enters into Supreme

eternal atmosphere – Kingdom of God

Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
4.32 Evam, thus; bahu-vidha yajnah, various kinds of sacrifices as described; vitatah, lie spread; mukhe, at the mouth, at the door; brahmanah, of the Vedas. Those which are known through the Vedas- as for instance, 'We offer the vital force into speech', etc.-are said to be vitatah, spread, elaborated; mukhe, at the mouth; brahmanah, of the Vedas. Viddhi, know; tan, them; sarvan, all; to be karmajan, born of action, accoplished through the activities of body, speech and mind, but not born of the Self. For the Self is actionless. Hence, jnatva, knowing; evam, thus; vimoksyase, you will become liberated from evil. By knowing thus- 'These are not my actions; I am actionless and detached'-You will be freed from worldly bondage as a result of this full enlightenment. This is the purport. Through the verse beginning with, 'The ladle is Brahman' etc., complete Illumination has been represented as a sacrifice. And sacrifices of various kinds have been taught. With the help of [Some translate this as: As compared with৷৷.-Tr.] those (sacrifices) that are meant for accomplishing desireable human ends, Knowledge (considered as a sacrifice) is being extolled: How?
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
4.32 Thus there are many kinds of Kamra Yoga, which are spread out for the attainment of the Brahman. That means, they lead to the realisaion of the true nature of the individual self. Know that all these are forms of Karma Yoga, which have been previoulsy defined and diversified, as born of actions. That means, know them as resulting from occasional and obligatory rites performed day by day. Knowing thus, observing them in the manner prescribed, you will be released. It has been stated that actions have the form of knowledge because of the inclusion of knowledge in them. Now Sri Krsna explains the predominance of the component of knowledge in such actions which include knowledge within themselves.
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
4.32 Evam etc. All these sacrifices have been detailed in the mouth of i.e., at the entrance to, i.e., as means to [attain], the Brahman. In them there lies the practice of actions as common factor. By knowing in this manner, you too shall attain liberation from bondage. The speciality here is this :
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
4.32 Thus, manifold sacrifices are spread out before Brahman (literally) at the mouth or face of Brahman). Know them all as born of action and thus knowing, thou shalt be liberated.
Commentary

4.32 एवम् thus? बहुविधाः manifold? यज्ञाः sacrifices? वितताः are spread? ब्रह्मणः of Brahman (or of the Veda)? मुखे in the face? कर्मजान् born of action? विद्धि know (thou)? तान् them? सर्वान् all? एवम् thus? ज्ञात्वा having known? विमोक्ष्यसे thou shalt be liberated.Commentary The word Brahmanah has also been interpreted to mean In the Vedas.Various kinds of sacrifices are spread out at the mouth of Brahman? i.e.? they are known from the Vedas. Know that they are born of action? because the Self is beyond action. If you realise that these actions do not concern me? they are not my actin? and I am actionless? you will surely be liberated from the bondage of Samsara by this right knowledge. (Cf.IX.27XIII.15)

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
4.32 Thus, various kinds of sacrifices lie spread at the mouth of the Vedas. Know them all to be born of action. Knowing thus, you will become liberated.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
4.32 In this way other sacrifices too may be undergone for the Spirit's sake. Know thou that they all depend on action. Knowing this, thou shalt be free.
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Ahimsa (Non-violence / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Abhaya (Fearlessness)
Related verses
BG 4.33 BG 3.15 BG 15.15 SB 11.3.44 SB 1.2.28 SB 7.15.50 CC Ādi 2.91 CC Madhya 25.103 CC Madhya 24.100 Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 1.1.5Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.15
Concepts
Yajna
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Many varieties of sacrifice are described in the Vedas — knowing them all to arise from action, you shall be liberated.
Practical Applications
  • Study the diversity of yajña historically; don't reduce sacrifice to one form.
  • Trust the breadth of scripture rather than one modern interpretation.
  • Approach Vedic literature with an open and devout mind.
Reflection Questions
  • What variety of sacrifice am I unaware of?
  • Where could broader study deepen my practice?
Analogy

A library has many books on many subjects, all of them branches of one tree. The Vedas describe many yajñas; each is real, each is correctly classified. Knowing the whole library liberates from the partiality of having read only one shelf.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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