Chapter 4 · Verse 2 of 42
The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action
ज्ञानकर्मसन्न्यासयोग
Meaning
Supreme God Krishna spoke
The Rājarshis came to know of this Yoga handed down by tradition, but with time, its knowledge was lost, O, Conqueror of the Foes (Arjuna)! (4:2)
Sanskrit
श्रीभगवान् उवाच
एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः ।
स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप॥
Word-by-word
एवम् परम्परा-प्राप्तम् इमम् राज-ॠषयः विदुः,
सः कालेन इह महता योगः नष्टः, परम्-तपः!
Commentary
Rajarshis" refers to sage-kings who, despite being kings, were great sages. King Janaka of Mithila was a great Rajarshi, for example.