श्रीभगवानुवाच
इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्
विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत्
śrībhagavānuvāca
imaṃ vivasvate yogaṃ proktavānahamavyayam
vivasvān manave prāha manurikṣvākave'bravīt
TRANSLATION
The Lord said:
I taught this imperishable Yoga to Vivasvan; Vivasvan taught it to Manu; Manu declared it to Ikshvaku.
PURPORT
In the third chapter, it is said with reasons that, with reference to an aspirant in whom the bodily impulses are strong, he should practise Karma Yoga alone. He is not qualified for Jñana Yoga all at once; and even if he is qualified for Jñana Yoga, the practice of Karma Yoga alone, preceded by comtemplation on the self as not an agent of any action, is better. It has also been shown that in respect of a person who is distinguished for his virtues (and is expected to set an example for others), Karma Yoga alone must be practised by him. Now in the fourth chapter the need for practising Karma Yoga is confirmed, as it was taught at the very beginning of the age of Manu for the deliverance of all beings. As it includes knowledge of the self, it is shown that such Karma Yoga includes Jñana Yoga in its scope. Further, the nature of Karma Yoga with its divisions and the pre-eminence of the knowledge portion in it, is spoken of. Incidentally the truth about the incarnations of the Lord is also set forth.