yathaidhāṁsi samiddho 'gnir bhasma-sāt kurute 'rjuna jñānāgniḥ sarva-karmāṇi bhasma-sāt kurute tathā
"As a blazing fire burns wood to ashes, O Arjuna, so does the fire of knowledge burn all karma to ashes."
What This Means:
Just as a roaring fire reduces wood to ash, the fire of knowledge reduces all karma to ash. Past karma, present karma, karma's results—all burnt up by the blaze of wisdom. Nothing karmic survives this fire.
Going Deeper:
'Samiddha agni' (blazing fire) indicates the fire must be fully kindled—not smoldering doubt but roaring certainty. 'Sarva-karmani' (all karmas) means sanchita (accumulated), prarabdha (currently active), and agami (future)—all three kinds are consumed. 'Bhasmasat kurute' (turns to ash) means completely destroyed, no residue. The image is total annihilation of karmic bondage.
How To Apply This:
Build the fire of knowledge. Half-hearted study leaves karma smoldering. Complete, burning commitment to truth burns everything. This requires intensity—not casual reading but passionate inquiry. Fan the fire until it blazes. Let nothing survive unexamined.
Key Sanskrit Terms: