Chapter 4 · Verse 17 · Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.17
Sanskrit
कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः। अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः।।4.17।।
Transliteration
karmaṇo hyapi boddhavyaṁ boddhavyaṁ cha vikarmaṇaḥ akarmaṇaśh cha boddhavyaṁ gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ
Word by Word
Krishna reveals the profound subtlety of action itself—that understanding what *is* action, what violates dharma, and what appears as inaction requires the deepest wisdom. The path of karma is veiled; most mortals see only the surface movement of bodies and minds, missing the invisible thread of consciousness that moves through all doing.
When you learn to distinguish true action from ego-driven striving and from mere passivity, you unlock the secret that liberates you even while your hands are full of work.
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Bhagavad Gita 4.17 — BG 4.17
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