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Chapter 3 · Verse 4 · Karma Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 3.4

empowering Karma & Action Dharma & Duty Moksha & Liberation

Sanskrit

न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते। न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति।।3.4।।

Transliteration

na karmaṇām anārambhān naiṣhkarmyaṁ puruṣho ’śhnute na cha sannyasanād eva siddhiṁ samadhigachchhati

Word by Word

na not
karmaṇām of actions
anārambhāt by abstaining from
naiṣhkarmyam freedom from karmic reactions
puruṣhaḥ a person
aśhnute attains
na not
cha and
sannyasanāt by renunciation
eva only
siddhim perfection
samadhigachchhati attains
Simplified Perspective

Krishna dissolves a common illusion here—that you can escape karma by doing nothing, or that renunciation means merely laying down your tools and walking away. The path to freedom is neither inaction nor hollow renunciation, but right action performed with a surrendered heart.

When you act without claiming ownership of the results, when you serve the moment with full presence rather than personal grasping, that very engagement becomes your liberation. In modern life, this means you need not flee your responsibilities or career—instead, bring consciousness and selflessness to whatever your hands touch.

Listen

Bhagavad Gita 3.4 — BG 3.4

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Sanskrit text from the Bhagavad Gita (public domain). Commentary © Mahakatha.

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