Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.20 त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो
श्लोक 4.20
त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः ।
कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः ॥
tyaktvā karmaphalāsaṅgaṃ nityatṛpto nirāśrayaḥ |
karmaṇyabhipravṛtto'pi naiva kiñcitkaroti saḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो कर्मफल की आसक्ति छोड़कर सदा तृप्त रहता है और किसी पर आश्रित नहीं है, वह कर्म में पूरी तरह लगा रहकर भी वास्तव में कुछ नहीं करता।
Meaning in English
Having given up attachment to the fruits of action, ever content and depending on nothing, such a person does nothing at all, even while fully engaged in action.
Bhagavad Gita 4.20 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| त्यक्त्वा | tyaktvā | having given up |
| कर्मफलासङ्गम् | karma-phala-āsaṅgam | attachment to the fruit of action |
| नित्यतृप्तः | nitya-tṛptaḥ | ever content |
| निराश्रयः | nirāśrayaḥ | depending on nothing |
| कर्मणि | karmaṇi | in action |
| अभिप्रवृत्तः | abhipravṛttaḥ | fully engaged |
| अपि | api | though |
| न एव | na eva | not at all |
| किञ्चित् | kiñcit | anything |
| करोति | karoti | does |
| सः | saḥ | he |
Explanation
Having let go of attachment to the fruit of action, always content and dependent on nothing, such a person does nothing at all, even while fully engaged in action. Outwardly busy, inwardly free, he is not the doer in the binding sense.
The verse illustrates the paradox of 4.18: inaction within action. Shankara explains that the knower, seeing the Self as actionless, does nothing in truth even when acting, because the sense of doership has vanished. Ramanuja takes nirāśraya as not relying on anything worldly for support, and nitya-tṛpta as finding satisfaction in the Self. Gandhi saw in such verses a picture of the selfless worker who serves tirelessly without craving reward or recognition.
भावार्थ
जो कर्मफल की आसक्ति छोड़कर सदा तृप्त रहता है और किसी पर निर्भर नहीं रहता, वह कर्म में पूरी तरह लगा रहकर भी वास्तव में कुछ भी नहीं करता।
Living it today
Find contentment that does not depend on how today's work turns out. You will work better, and worry less.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.20?
Having let go of attachment to the fruit of action, always content and dependent on nothing, such a person does nothing at all, even while fully engaged in action. Outwardly busy, inwardly free, he is not the doer in the binding sense.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.20?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.20 in daily life?
Find contentment that does not depend on how today's work turns out. You will work better, and worry less.
Reflected on verse 4.20?
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