Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.17 कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च
श्लोक 4.17
कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः ।
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः ॥
karmaṇo hyapi boddhavyaṃ boddhavyaṃ ca vikarmaṇaḥ |
akarmaṇaśca boddhavyaṃ gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
कर्म का स्वरूप भी जानना चाहिए, विकर्म (निषिद्ध कर्म) का भी और अकर्म का भी, क्योंकि कर्म की गति बड़ी गहन है।
Meaning in English
One must understand what action is, what wrong action is, and what inaction is. The way of action is deep and hard to grasp.
Bhagavad Gita 4.17 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कर्मणः | karmaṇaḥ | of action |
| हि | hi | indeed |
| अपि | api | also |
| बोद्धव्यम् | boddhavyam | must be understood |
| बोद्धव्यम् | boddhavyam | must be understood |
| च | ca | and |
| विकर्मणः | vikarmaṇaḥ | of wrong action |
| अकर्मणः | akarmaṇaḥ | of inaction |
| च | ca | and |
| बोद्धव्यम् | boddhavyam | must be understood |
| गहना | gahanā | deep, hard to fathom |
| कर्मणः | karmaṇaḥ | of action |
| गतिः | gatiḥ | the way, the course |
Explanation
One must understand the nature of action, of wrong action and of inaction. The way of action is deep and hard to fathom. Doing the right thing requires more than good intentions; it needs real understanding of what an act is and what it does.
Krishna names three categories: karma (action), vikarma and akarma (inaction). Shankara takes vikarma as action forbidden by scripture. Other readers take it as varied or special forms of action, and some modern interpreters read it as action transformed by a spiritual attitude. The phrase gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ, the way of action is deep, has become proverbial in Indian languages for the complexity of moral life. The verse leads into the paradox of seeing inaction in action in 4.18.
भावार्थ
कर्म का स्वरूप जानना चाहिए, विकर्म का स्वरूप भी जानना चाहिए और अकर्म का स्वरूप भी जानना चाहिए, क्योंकि कर्म की गति बहुत गहन और कठिन है।
Living it today
Before acting on a hard decision, pause to understand it fully. Right action often depends on seeing what is not obvious at first.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.17?
One must understand the nature of action, of wrong action and of inaction. The way of action is deep and hard to fathom. Doing the right thing requires more than good intentions; it needs real understanding of what an act is and what it does.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.17?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.17 in daily life?
Before acting on a hard decision, pause to understand it fully. Right action often depends on seeing what is not obvious at first.
Reflected on verse 4.17?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.