Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of ActionKrishna
Verse 16
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 4, श्लोक 16
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः।
तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात्॥
Transliteration
Kim Karma Kim-Akarme-Ti Kavayo'py-Atra Mohitah.
Tat-Te Karma Pravakshyami Yaj-Jnatva Mokshyase'shubhat.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
किम्kimwhat
कर्मkarmaaction
किम्kimwhat
अकर्मakarmainaction
इतिitithus
कवयःkavayahwise men/poets
अपिapieven
अत्रatrain this matter
मोहिताःmohitahbewildered
तत्tatthat
तेteto you
प्रवक्ष्यामिpravakshyamiI shall explain
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
कर्म क्या है और अकर्म क्या है — इसमें बुद्धिमान लोग भी मोहित हो जाते हैं। इसलिए मैं तुम्हें कर्म का तत्त्व बताऊँगा, जिसे जानकर तुम अशुभ (बंधन) से मुक्त हो जाओगे।
English Translation
What is action and what is inaction? Even the wise are confused in this matter. I shall explain to you that action, knowing which you shall be freed from evil.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna acknowledges that the true nature of action is extremely subtle and confusing even for the learned. The distinction between action (karma), inaction (akarma), and forbidden action (vikarma) is not straightforward. By promising to clarify this, Krishna prepares to share one of the Gita's most profound philosophical teachings about the real nature of action.