Bhagavad Gita · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga — Knowledge and Renunciation of Action
Chapter 4, Verse 16
"Bhagavad Gita 4.16" — meaning and explanation.
किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः | तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात्
kiṃ karma kimakarmeti kavayo.apyatra mohitāḥ . tatte karma pravakṣyāmi yajjñātvā mokṣyase.aśubhāt
Meaning
4.16 What is action? What is inaction? As to this even the wise are confused. Therefore I shall teach thee such action (the nature of action and inaction) by knowing which thou shalt be liberated from the evil (of Samsara, the wheel of birth and death).
।।4.16।। कर्म क्या है और अकर्म क्या है? इस विषय में बुद्धिमान पुरुष भी भ्रमित हो जाते हैं। इसलिये मैं तुम्हें कर्म कहूँगा, (अर्थात् कर्म और अकर्म का स्वरूप समझाऊँगा) जिसको जानकर तुम अशुभ (संसार बन्धन) से मुक्त हो जाओगे।।
Explanation
4.16 किम् what? कर्म action? किम् what? अकर्म inaction? इति thus? कवयः wise? अपि also? अत्र in this? मोहिताः (are) deluded? तत् that? ते to thee? कर्म action? प्रवक्ष्यामि (I) shall teach? यत् which? ज्ञात्वा having known? मोक्ष्यसे (thou) shalt be liberated? अशुभात् from evil.No Commentary.
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 4.16 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, verse 16, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 4.16
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 4.16 mean?
4.16 What is action? What is inaction? As to this even the wise are confused. Therefore I shall teach thee such action (the nature of action and inaction) by knowing which thou shalt be liberated from the evil (of Samsara, the wheel of birth and death).
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 4.16 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, verse 16, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.