eṣā te 'bhihitā sāṅkhye buddhir yoge tv imāṁ śṛṇu buddhyā yukto yayā pārtha karma-bandhaṁ prahāsyasi
"I have explained to you the wisdom of Sankhya (knowledge). Now listen to the wisdom of Yoga (action). United with this wisdom, O Arjuna, you will be free from the bondage of karma."
What This Means:
Krishna says: 'Everything I've told you so far is Sankhya—the path of knowledge and understanding. Now I'll teach you Yoga—the path of action. With this wisdom, you'll be free from being bound by the consequences of your actions.'
Going Deeper:
This verse marks a transition. Sankhya is analytical wisdom—understanding the soul's nature. Yoga here means Karma Yoga—the yoga of action. Krishna will show how to act in the world without creating karmic bondage. The goal is 'karma-bandha prahasyasi' (throwing off the bondage of karma)—liberation while still acting.
How To Apply This:
Knowledge and action must work together. Understanding that the soul is eternal (Sankhya) is the foundation. Acting with equanimity (Yoga) is the practice. You need both—truth without practice is academic; practice without understanding is blind. Integrate them.
Key Sanskrit Terms: