A teaching older than time

śrībhagavānuvācaimaṃ vivasvate yogaṃ proktavānahamavyayamvivasvānmanave prāha manurikṣvākave’abravīt

I taught this undying yoga to Vivasvan, the sun. Vivasvan passed it to Manu, and Manu to King Ikshvaku.

What it means

Krishna reveals something surprising. This yoga he's teaching isn't new. He first gave it to Vivasvan, the sun god, at the dawn of time. From the sun it passed to Manu, the first human lawgiver, and then to Ikshvaku, founder of an ancient royal line. It's the oldest wisdom there is.

The story

Arjuna has been hearing Krishna as a wise friend. Now Krishna hints at something more. He speaks as one who was present at the beginning. Arjuna's charioteer is about to reveal who he really is.

In your life

Think of a grandmother teaching a recipe that's been passed down for six generations. When you learn it, you join a line. Notice one piece of wisdom you've inherited. Pass it on this week.