श्रीभगवानुवाच | इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम् | विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत् ||४-१||
śrībhagavānuvāca . imaṃ vivasvate yogaṃ proktavānahamavyayam . vivasvānmanave prāha manurikṣvākave.abravīt ||4-1||
Chapter 4 · Verse 1
Jnana Yoga
ज्ञानयोग
In plain words
You should trust this ancient wisdom because it is an eternal, unbroken truth passed down through generations. This sacred path of yoga is not a temporary human invention. It is a timeless teaching meant to guide you toward dharma, your righteous duty, helping you live in harmony with the universe and rule your own life wisely.
Translation
4.1 The Lord said I taught this imperishable Yoga to Vivasvan; Vivasvan taught it to Manu; Manu declared it to Iksvaku.
Meaning
Vivasvan means the sun. Ikshvaku was the son of Manu. Ikshvaku was the reputed ancestor of the solar dynasty of Kshatriyas. This Yoga is said to be imperishable because the result or fruit i.e.. Moksha that can be attained through it is imperishable. If the rulers of dominions possess a knowledge of the Yoga taught by Me in the preceding two discourses they can protect the Brahmanas and rule their kingdom with justice. So I taught this Yoga to the Sungod in the beginning of evolution.
Word by word
इमम् this विवस्वते to Vivasvan योगम् Yoga प्रोक्तवान् taught अहम् I अव्ययम् imperishable विवस्वान् Vivasvan मनवे to Manu प्राह taught मनुः Manu इक्ष्वाकवे to Ikshvaku अब्रवीत् taught.