A core teaching · inspiring in mood · a little context helps
“Knowledge cuts doubt, and then action becomes possible again.”
Therefore, O Bharata, cut away this doubt in your heart, born of ignorance, with the sword of knowledge. Stand in yoga and rise up for battle.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
Read literallytherefore · born of ignorance · situated in the heart · with the sword of knowledge · of the self · having cut · this · doubt · in yoga · stand in · rise up · O Bharata
Knowledge should cut through inner doubt, and then you should stand steady and act. Krishna is telling Arjuna to stop wavering and rise for battle.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga" (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action).
Verse 42 sits in Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga, "Knowledge and Renunciation of Action". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
You have the message typed out, but your finger hovers over send because you fear the fallout. The mind wants another delay; clarity asks for one clean decision.
Did you like this verse?
It shifts the mind from hesitation to decisive action after understanding is clear.
What this verse means
Knowledge should cut through inner doubt, and then you should stand steady and act. Krishna is telling Arjuna to stop wavering and rise for battle.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still frozen while the war waits. Krishna ends his teaching with one final command: use clear understanding to cut away the doubt born of ignorance, then stand up and fight.
Why this verse still matters
You have the message typed out, but your finger hovers over send because you fear the fallout. The mind wants another delay; clarity asks for one clean decision.
“Doubt loses power when you face it directly instead of obeying it.”
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses)