Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 4
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 4
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते।
न च सन्न्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति॥४॥
Transliteration
Na Karmanam-Anarambhan-Naishkarmyam Purusho'shnute.
Na Cha Sannyasanad-Eva Siddhim Samadhigachchhati.||4||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
नnanot
कर्मणाम्karmanamof actions
अनारम्भात्anarambhatby non-performance
नैष्कर्म्यम्naishkarmyamfreedom from action/karma
पुरुषःpurushaha person
अश्नुतेashnuteattains
सन्न्यसनात्sannyasanatby renunciation
एवevaalone
सिद्धिम्siddhimperfection
समधिगच्छतिsamadhigachchhatiattains
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
कर्मों का आरम्भ न करने से मनुष्य नैष्कर्म्य (कर्मबन्धन से मुक्ति) प्राप्त नहीं करता, और केवल संन्यास (कर्म-त्याग) से ही सिद्धि नहीं मिलती।
English Translation
Not by abstaining from action does a person attain freedom from the bondage of karma, nor does one reach perfection by mere renunciation of actions alone.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna strikes at the root of escapism disguised as spirituality. Simply avoiding action does not purify the mind or free one from karmic bondage. True renunciation is internal — it is the renunciation of attachment and desire, not of action itself. This verse is foundational to the entire Karma Yoga philosophy.