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Bhagavad Gita 4.21

Chapter 4, Verse 21

Part of 4: Jñāna Karm Sanyās Yogज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोग

निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः। शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम्॥

Transliteration

nirāśhīr yata-chittātmā tyakta-sarva-parigrahaḥ śhārīraṁ kevalaṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣham

Meaning

Without hope, controlling the mind and the self, having abandoned all covetousness, and performing only bodily actions, one incurs no sin.

Word-by-word meaning
nirāśhīḥfree from expectationsyatacontrolledchitta-ātmāmind and intellecttyaktahaving abandonedsarvaallparigrahaḥthe sense of ownershipśhārīrambodilykevalamonlykarmaactionskurvanperformingnaneverāpnotiincurskilbiṣhamsin
Commentary

The liberated sage renounces all actions except what is necessary for the bare maintenance of the body. He has abandoned all possessions. He incurs no sin which will cause evil effects. For a man who thirsts for liberation (Mumukshu) even righteous activity (Dharma) is a sin as it causes bondage to Samsara. Dharma is a golden fetter for him. A golden fetter is also a fetter. A sage is liberated from both Dharma and Adharma, good and evil or virtue and vice. (Cf. III.7)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 21?
Without hope, controlling the mind and the self, having abandoned all covetousness, and performing only bodily actions, one incurs no sin.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 21 of Chapter 4 (Jñāna Karm Sanyās Yog — Path of Knowledge and the Disciplines of Action) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.