Bhagavad Gita · 4.20 · Path of Knowledge and the Disciplines of Action·20 of 42
त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः।कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः ॥
tyaktvā karma-phalāsaṅgaṁ nitya-tṛipto nirāśhrayaḥ
karmaṇyabhipravṛitto ’pi naiva kiñchit karoti saḥ
Sanskrit recitation
What counts as real action · 4.16–4.23 · Teaching
Translation
Having abandoned attachment to the fruits of the action, ever content, depending on nothing, he does not do anything even while being engaged in activity.
Meaning
The same idea of inaction in action is repeated here to produce a deep impression on the minds of the aspirants. He who works for the wellbeing of the world and he who performs actions without egoism and attachment for the fruits, to set an example to the masses, really does nothing at all though he is ever engaged in activity, as he possesses the knowledge of the Self which is beyond all activity and as he has realised his identity with It.As Brahman the Absolute is selfcontained, all the desires are gratified if one realises the Self. He is ever satisfied and does not depend on anything, just as a man who has the favour of the king does not depend on the minister or the government official for anything. (Cf.IV.41)
After Swami Sivananda
What counts as real action· 4.16–4.23→
Teachers usually read this idea across several verses together, one shared reflection covers the whole unit.
- 4.16What is action? What is inaction? Even the wise are confused about this. Therefore, I shall teach you the nature of action and inaction, by knowing which you will be liberated from the evil of Samsara, the wheel of birth and death.
- 4.17For verily, the true nature of action enjoined by the scriptures should be known, as well as that of forbidden or unlawful action, and of inaction; the nature of action is hard to understand.
- 4.18He who sees inaction in action and action in inaction, he is wise among men; he is a yogi and performer of all actions.
- 4.19He whose undertakings are all devoid of desires and selfish purposes, and whose actions have been burned by the fire of knowledge, the wise call him a sage.
4.20Having abandoned attachment to the fruits of the action, ever content, depending on nothing, he does not do anything even while being engaged in activity.
- 4.21Without hope, controlling the mind and the self, having abandoned all covetousness, and performing only bodily actions, one incurs no sin.
- 4.22Content with what comes to him without effort, free from the pairs of opposites and envy, even-minded in success and failure, he acts yet is not bound.
- 4.23To one who is devoid of attachment, who is liberated, whose mind is established in knowledge, and who works for the sake of sacrifice (for the sake of God), the whole action is dissolved.
Word-by-word→
- na
- not
- api
- despite
- eva
- certainly
- nitya
- always
- saḥ
- that person
- karoti
- do
- kiñchit
- anything
- tyaktvā
- having given up
- karmaṇi
- in activities
- tṛiptaḥ
- satisfied
- nirāśhrayaḥ
- without dependence
- abhipravṛittaḥ
- engaged
- karma-phala-āsaṅgam
- attachment to the fruits of action
Related verses
- 2.51The wise, possessing knowledge, having abandoned the fruits of their actions, and being…
- 5.12The one who is united (the well-poised or harmonized) having abandoned the fruit of action…
- 12.11If you are unable to do even this, then, resort to union with Me and renounce the fruits…
- 18.2The Blessed Lord said, "The sages understand sannyasa to be the renunciation of action…