Bhagavad Gita · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga — Knowledge and Renunciation of Action

Chapter 4, Verse 21

"Bhagavad Gita 4.21" — meaning and explanation.

Meaning

4.21 Without hope and with the mind and the self controlled, having abandoned all covetousness, doing mere bodily action, he incurs no sin.

।।4.21।। जो आशा रहित है तथा जिसने चित्त और आत्मा (शरीर) को संयमित किया है, जिसने सब परिग्रहों का त्याग किया है, ऐसा पुरुष शारीरिक कर्म करते हुए भी पाप को नहीं प्राप्त होता है।।

Explanation

4.21 निराशीः without hope? यतचित्तात्मा one with the mind and self controlled? त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः having abandoned all covetousness? शारीरम् bodily? केवलम् merely? कर्म action? कुर्वन् doing? न not? आप्नोति obtains? किल्बिषम् sin.Commentary The liberated sage renounces all actions except what is necessary for the bare maintenance of the body. He has abandoned all possessions. He incurs no sin which will cause evil effects. For a man who thirsts for liberation (Mumukshu) even righteous activity (Dharma) is a sin as it causes bondage to Samsara. Dharma is a golden fetter for him. A golden fetter is also a fetter. A sage is liberated from both Dharma and Adharma? good and evil or virtue and vice. (Cf.III.7)

Life Lesson

Study Bhagavad Gita 4.21 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.

Context

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, verse 21, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.

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