
4
CHAPTER
VERSE
36
अपि चेदसि पापेभ्य: सर्वेभ्य: पापकृत्तम: |
सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि || 4.36 ||
Api ched ashi papebhyah sarvebhyah papa-krit-tamah,
Sarvam jnana-plavenaiva vrinam santarishyasi ||
Even if you are the most sinful of all sinners, you shall cross over all sin by the raft of knowledge alone.
Lesson:
Krishna's message is one of hope and encouragement. He assures Arjuna, and by extension all seekers, that no matter how burdened they may feel by their past actions, they can still find redemption through knowledge. The emphasis is not on dwelling on past sins or feeling guilt-ridden but on taking proactive steps towards self-improvement and spiritual growth. Through the pursuit of knowledge and self-awareness, individuals can liberate themselves from the cycle of sin and suffering, ultimately attaining inner peace and enlightenment.
Lord Krishna emphasizes the transformative power of knowledge. He assures Arjuna that even if he has committed grave sins in the past, he can still attain liberation through the path of knowledge. The term "sin" here refers not only to actions that are morally wrong but also to the ignorance that leads to such actions. Krishna suggests that true understanding and awareness, represented by knowledge, have the capacity to cleanse the soul of its past misdeeds.
The analogy of crossing over sin with the raft of knowledge is profound. Just as a raft helps one safely navigate through turbulent waters, knowledge serves as the means to navigate through the complexities of life and the consequences of past actions. By acquiring knowledge, individuals gain insight into the nature of reality, the self, and the interconnectedness of all beings. This understanding enables them to transcend the limitations imposed by ignorance and past mistakes.