Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.19 यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिताः
श्लोक 4.19
यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिताः ।
ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहुः पण्डितं बुधाः ॥
yasya sarve samārambhāḥ kāmasaṅkalpavarjitāḥ |
jñānāgnidagdhakarmāṇaṃ tamāhuḥ paṇḍitaṃ budhāḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जिसके सभी कार्य कामना और संकल्प से रहित होते हैं, और जिसके कर्म ज्ञान-रूपी अग्नि में भस्म हो गए हैं, उसे ज्ञानीजन पंडित कहते हैं।
Meaning in English
One whose every undertaking is free from desire and selfish intention, and whose actions are burned up in the fire of knowledge, is called wise by the learned.
Bhagavad Gita 4.19 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यस्य | yasya | whose |
| सर्वे | sarve | all |
| समारम्भाः | samārambhāḥ | undertakings |
| कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिताः | kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ | free from desire and self-centred intent |
| ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणम् | jñāna-agni-dagdha-karmāṇam | whose actions are burnt in the fire of knowledge |
| तम् | tam | him |
| आहुः | āhuḥ | call |
| पण्डितम् | paṇḍitam | truly wise |
| बुधाः | budhāḥ | the wise |
Explanation
One whose every undertaking is free of desire and selfish intention, and whose actions have been burnt up in the fire of knowledge, is called truly wise by those who know. Such a person acts, but the actions leave no binding trace.
This verse begins a series (4.19 to 4.23) describing the person who has grasped the secret of action. The image of the fire of knowledge burning actions returns in 4.37. Shankara reads the verse as describing the knower of the Self who sees no doership in himself, and whose activity is only for the welfare of the world or the maintenance of the body. Ramanuja takes it as the karma-yogi whose actions, done with knowledge of the Self, destroy past karma. The word paṇḍita here means wisdom, not mere learning.
भावार्थ
जिसके सभी कार्य कामना और स्वार्थपूर्ण संकल्प से रहित हैं तथा जिसके कर्म ज्ञानरूपी अग्नि में भस्म हो गए हैं, उसे ज्ञानीजन सच्चा पण्डित कहते हैं।
Living it today
Start each task by checking your motive. Work done for its own sake, not for what you can grab, rarely leaves regret.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.19?
One whose every undertaking is free of desire and selfish intention, and whose actions have been burnt up in the fire of knowledge, is called truly wise by those who know. Such a person acts, but the actions leave no binding trace.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.19?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.19 in daily life?
Start each task by checking your motive. Work done for its own sake, not for what you can grab, rarely leaves regret.
Reflected on verse 4.19?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.