Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of ActionKrishna
Verse 18
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 4, श्लोक 18
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः।
स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत्॥
Transliteration
Karmany-Akarma Yah Pashyed-Akarmani Cha Karma Yah.
Sa Buddhiman-Manushyeshu Sa Yuktah Kritsna-Karma-Krit.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
कर्मणिkarmaniin action
अकर्मakarmainaction
यःyahwho
पश्येत्pashyetsees
अकर्मणिakarmaniin inaction
चchaand
कर्मkarmaaction
सःsahhe
बुद्धिमान्buddhimanintelligent/wise
मनुष्येषुmanushyeshuamong humans
युक्तःyuktahsituated in yoga
कृत्स्नकर्मकृत्kritsna-karma-kritperformer of all actions
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
जो कर्म में अकर्म देखता है और अकर्म में कर्म देखता है — वही मनुष्यों में बुद्धिमान है, वही योगी है और समस्त कर्मों को करने वाला है।
English Translation
One who sees inaction in action and action in inaction is wise among human beings. Such a person is a yogi and a performer of all actions.
Commentary (टीका)
This is one of the most philosophically profound verses in the Gita. A wise person understands that the self does not truly act even while the body performs actions (inaction in action), and that one who merely abstains from physical activity may still be mentally engaged in action (action in inaction). True wisdom lies in understanding the distinction between the eternal self and the temporary activities of the body-mind complex.