Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 4 Gyana Karma Sannyasa Yogah

Gyana Karma Sannyasa Yogah - What is action? What is inaction? Even the wise are confused about this. I shall explain, knowing which you will be freed from inauspiciousness.

किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिता: |
तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ||16||

What is action? What is inaction? Even the wise are confused about this. I shall explain, knowing which you will be freed from inauspiciousness.

Akarma: Inaction, the absence of karmic consequence.

Krishna addresses the complexity of action and inaction, indicating that true knowledge is needed to discern them. This foreshadows deeper teachings on karma yoga, as Krishna prepares Arjuna to perform duties without attachment, offering liberation from the confusion surrounding moral actions.

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कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मण: |
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गति: ||17||

One must understand what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is. The nature of karma is profound.

Vikarmanah: Prohibited or harmful actions.
Gahanah: Profound or complex.

Krishna emphasizes understanding of three aspects: action, forbidden action, and inaction. This sets the stage for differentiating between righteous duties and destructive deeds, urging Arjuna to develop wisdom and make choices that align with dharma, elevating his actions beyond superficial motives.

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कर्मण्यकर्म य: पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म य: |
स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्त: कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् ||18||

One who sees inaction in action and action in inaction is wise and has accomplished everything.

Yuktah: A yogi or one who is united in self-realization.

Krishna introduces the concept of seeing inaction within action, teaching that intent determines the spiritual impact of one’s actions. By acting without selfish motives, one attains true wisdom. This paradox encourages Arjuna to engage in duty with inner detachment, achieving unity with dharma.

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Gyana Karma Sannyasa Yogah - One whose every undertaking is free from desire and selfish motive is said by sages to have burned his actions in the fire of knowledge.

यस्य सर्वे समारम्भा: कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिता: |
ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहु: पण्डितं बुधा: ||19||

One whose every undertaking is free from desire and selfish motive is said by sages to have burned his actions in the fire of knowledge.

Jnana-agni: The fire of knowledge, which burns karma.
Pandita: A learned or wise person.

Here, Krishna discusses the wisdom of a person whose actions are burned by the fire of knowledge. This imagery signifies a person free from karmic consequences, who is no longer bound by the results of actions. Arjuna is thus inspired to seek this transformative wisdom, deepening his understanding.

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Gyana Karma Sannyasa Yogah - Renouncing attachment to the results of actions and always content, the person engaged in action performs no action, even while acting.

त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रय: |
कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति स: ||20||

Renouncing attachment to the results of actions and always content, the person engaged in action performs no action, even while acting.

Nirasrayah: Independent or detached from external support.

A truly detached person acts without desire or dependence on results. Krishna reinforces that a wise person remains untouched by karma. This inspires Arjuna to perform his duties without seeking rewards, teaching that selfless action done in harmony with dharma does not bind the soul.

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Gyana Karma Sannyasa Yogah - Having no desires, self-controlled, and renouncing all possessions, one incurs no sin by performing mere bodily actions.

निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रह: |
शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ||21||

Having no desires, self-controlled, and renouncing all possessions, one incurs no sin by performing mere bodily actions.

Parigrahah: Attachment to possessions.
Kilbisham: Sin or wrongdoing.

Krishna describes the ideal yogi who renounces possessions and desires, performing only necessary bodily actions. This simplicity highlights the path to freedom from karmic bondage, urging Arjuna to focus on essential actions aligned with dharma, rather than indulging in material attachments.

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Gyana Karma Sannyasa Yogah - Content with whatever comes by chance, beyond dualities, free from envy, equanimous in success and failure, one is not bound by actions.

यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टो द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सर: |
सम: सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापि न निबध्यते ||22||

Content with whatever comes by chance, beyond dualities, free from envy, equanimous in success and failure, one is not bound by actions.

Yadrichchha: Acceptance of what comes naturally.
Dvandvatita: Beyond dualities.

Krishna advises maintaining equanimity regardless of success or failure. By not allowing dualities to affect his peace, a person transcends bondage. This teaching aims to guide Arjuna towards mental discipline, helping him overcome inner conflicts and external distractions in his duties.

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