Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.23 गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः
श्लोक 4.23
गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः ।
यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते ॥
gatasaṅgasya muktasya jñānāvasthitacetasaḥ |
yajñāyācarataḥ karma samagraṃ pravilīyate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो आसक्ति से रहित और मुक्त है, जिसका चित्त ज्ञान में स्थिर है और जो यज्ञ के लिए कर्म करता है, उसके सारे कर्म पूरी तरह विलीन हो जाते हैं।
Meaning in English
For one who is free from attachment, liberated, with mind established in knowledge, and who acts as a sacrifice, all karma dissolves completely.
Bhagavad Gita 4.23 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| गतसङ्गस्य | gata-saṅgasya | of one free from attachment |
| मुक्तस्य | muktasya | of the liberated |
| ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः | jñāna-avasthita-cetasaḥ | whose mind is established in knowledge |
| यज्ञाय | yajñāya | for sacrifice |
| आचरतः | ācarataḥ | of one performing |
| कर्म | karma | action |
| समग्रम् | samagram | entirely |
| प्रविलीयते | pravilīyate | dissolves |
Explanation
For one who is free from attachment, liberated, with a mind settled in knowledge, and who acts only as an offering, a yajña, all action dissolves completely. It leaves behind no binding residue at all, just as an offering placed in the fire is wholly consumed.
This verse links the teaching on action with the idea of yajña from chapter 3, where action done as sacrifice was said not to bind (3.9). It also opens the great passage on many forms of sacrifice that follows, beginning with 4.24. Shankara takes yajña as action done for the sake of the Lord or for the world, and pravilīyate as the karma being destroyed along with its results. Ramanuja reads it as action done as worship, which dissolves all past karma.
भावार्थ
जो आसक्ति से रहित और मुक्त है, जिसका चित्त ज्ञान में स्थित है और जो यज्ञ के लिए कर्म करता है, उसके सारे कर्म पूरी तरह विलीन हो जाते हैं।
Living it today
Treat your work as an offering to something larger than yourself. It turns routine into meaning and lightens the load.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.23?
For one who is free from attachment, liberated, with a mind settled in knowledge, and who acts only as an offering, a yajña, all action dissolves completely. It leaves behind no binding residue at all, just as an offering placed in the fire is wholly consumed.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.23?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.23 in daily life?
Treat your work as an offering to something larger than yourself. It turns routine into meaning and lightens the load.
Reflected on verse 4.23?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.