Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of ActionKrishna
Verse 21
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 4, श्लोक 21
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः।
शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम्॥
Transliteration
Nirashir-Yata-Chitta-Atma Tyakta-Sarva-Parigrahah.
Shariram Kevalam Karma Kurvan-Na-Apnoti Kilbisham.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
निराशीःnirashihwithout desire/hope
यतचित्तात्माyata-chitta-atmawith mind and self controlled
त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहःtyakta-sarva-parigrahahhaving given up all possessiveness
शारीरम्sharirambodily
केवलम्kevalamonly
कर्मkarmaaction
कुर्वन्kurvandoing
नnanot
आप्नोतिapnotiacquires/incurs
किल्बिषम्kilbishamsin
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
आशा रहित, मन और आत्मा को वश में रखने वाला, सब प्रकार के परिग्रह (संग्रह) को त्यागकर — केवल शरीर से कर्म करता हुआ पाप को प्राप्त नहीं होता।
English Translation
Free from desire, with mind and self controlled, having given up all sense of possessiveness — performing action merely with the body, one incurs no sin.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna describes the ideal state of a karma yogi: free from expectations, mentally disciplined, and without attachment to possessions. When one acts purely out of duty, using only the body as an instrument without mental attachment, no karmic reaction accrues. This verse shows that freedom from sin lies not in avoiding action but in the quality of consciousness while acting.