In Bhagavad Gita 3.4, Krishna teaches that one does not attain freedom from action merely by not acting, nor perfection merely by renouncing.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
न कर्मणामनारम्भान्
नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते
न च संन्यसनादेव
सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति ॥ ३-४ ॥
na karmaṇāmanārambhān
naiṣkarmyaṃ puruṣo’śnute
na ca saṃnyasanādeva
siddhiṃ samadhigacchati
English transliteration na karmanaamanaarambhaan
naishkarmyam purusho’shnute
na cha samnyasanaadeva
siddhim samadhigachchhati ॥ 3.4 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Not by abstaining from action does a person attain freedom from action, nor by mere renunciation does one attain perfection.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| न na | not |
| कर्मणाम् karmaṇām | of actions |
| अनारम्भात् anārambhāt | by not starting, abstaining |
| नैष्कर्म्यम् naiṣkarmyam | freedom from action |
| पुरुषः puruṣaḥ | a person |
| अश्नुते aśnute | attains |
| न na | not |
| च ca | and |
| संन्यसनात् saṃnyasanāt | by renunciation |
| एव eva | merely |
| सिद्धिम् siddhim | perfection |
| समधिगच्छति samadhigacchati | attains |
Word-wise Chanting
- na kar–ma–ṇā–ma–nā–ram–bhān– 8 syllables na kar-ma-naa-ma-naa-ram-bhaan-
- naiṣ–kar–myaṃ pu–ru–ṣo–‘śnu–te | 8 syllables naish-kar-myam pu-ru-sho-‘shnu-te
- na ca saṃn–ya–sa–nā–de–va 8 syllables na cha samn-ya-sa-naa-de-va
- sid–dhiṃ sa–ma–dhi–gac–cha–ti || 3-4 8 syllables sid-dhim sa-ma-dhi-gach-chha-ti
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 3 Verse 4
Context
Having named the two paths (3.3), Krishna clarifies that neither of them means simply giving up activity.
Meaning
Naiṣkarmya, freedom from action, is a state of inner freedom in which action no longer binds. It is not reached by refusing to act. Nor does outward renunciation, giving up possessions or duties, automatically bring perfection. Both are inner achievements, born of purified understanding.
Arjuna wanted to escape action as a way of escaping sin. Krishna tells him that the freedom he seeks cannot be found by withdrawal. A mind full of desire remains bound whether it acts or not. True freedom is a change in the heart, not a change of activity.
In Practice
Notice if you hope that dropping some activity will automatically bring peace. Ask what inner change would bring that peace even while you continue to act.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.