Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.17 यस्य नाहंकृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते
श्लोक 18.17
यस्य नाहंकृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते ।
हत्वाऽपि स इमाँल्लोकान्न हन्ति न निबध्यते ॥
yasya nāhaṃkṛto bhāvo buddhiryasya na lipyate |
hatvā'pi sa imām̐llokānna hanti na nibadhyate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जिसके भीतर कर्तापन का अहंकार नहीं है और जिसकी बुद्धि लिप्त नहीं होती, वह इन सब लोगों को मारकर भी वास्तव में नहीं मारता और न बंधन में पड़ता है।
Meaning in English
One who is free from the sense of being the doer and whose understanding is untainted, even if he slays these people, does not really slay and is not bound.
Bhagavad Gita 18.17 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यस्य | yasya | whose |
| न | na | not |
| अहंकृतः | ahaṃkṛtaḥ | egoistic |
| भावः | bhāvaḥ | state of mind |
| बुद्धिः | buddhiḥ | understanding |
| यस्य | yasya | whose |
| न लिप्यते | na lipyate | is not tainted |
| हत्वा अपि | hatvā api | even having killed |
| सः | saḥ | he |
| इमान् | imān | these |
| लोकान् | lokān | worlds, people |
| न हन्ति | na hanti | does not kill |
| न निबध्यते | na nibadhyate | is not bound |
Explanation
One who has no sense of I am the doer, and whose understanding is untainted by attachment, does not really kill even if he slays all these people, nor is he bound by the act. Action without ego and selfish motive leaves no binding mark.
This is one of the most debated verses in the Gita. Shankara reads it as praise of the knower who sees the Self as actionless; the statement about killing is hyperbole to stress that such a person is untouched. Ramanuja reads it as encouragement to Arjuna to fight his righteous war without ego. Gandhi insisted the verse describes a state so free of ego that violence becomes impossible in practice, and must never be used to excuse harm. All agree it presupposes a very high level of selflessness.
भावार्थ
जिसमें मैं कर्ता हूँ ऐसा अहंकार नहीं है और जिसकी बुद्धि आसक्ति से लिप्त नहीं होती, वह इन सब लोगों को मारकर भी वास्तव में न मारता है और न बँधता है।
Living it today
The weight of an action depends heavily on the ego behind it. Acting from duty rather than self-interest changes what the act does to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.17?
One who has no sense of I am the doer, and whose understanding is untainted by attachment, does not really kill even if he slays all these people, nor is he bound by the act. Action without ego and selfish motive leaves no binding mark.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.17?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.17 in daily life?
The weight of an action depends heavily on the ego behind it. Acting from duty rather than self-interest changes what the act does to you.
Reflected on verse 18.17?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.