Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga

Krishna says he first gave this yoga, this spiritual path, to the sun-god, who passed it to Manu, and so down a parampara, an unbroken teacher-to-student line, until it was lost and Krishna now speaks it again. Arjuna asks how Krishna could have taught it so long ago. Krishna answers that both of them have passed through many births; he remembers them and Arjuna does not. Though unborn and imperishable, the Lord takes birth age after age to protect the good, end the wicked, and restore dharma, the right order that holds life together. Those who truly know this birth and action are freed and reach him. Krishna then teaches action without craving for its fruit, and the Self that does not act even while the body works. A long catalogue of yajna, sacred offering, follows: of the senses, the breath, food, and study. He calls the knowledge-offering the highest and says nothing purifies like knowledge, which burns action to ash and ends delusion. Gained through humility before a teacher and through faith, this knowledge cuts doubt. The schools differ on how to read Krishna's birth and the non-doer Self: non-dual readings (Advaita Vedanta) and devotional ones (Vishishtadvaita, Dvaita, Bhakti) part here.