In Bhagavad Gita 4.14, Krishna says actions do not taint him, nor does he desire their fruits; one who knows him in this way is not bound by actions.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति
न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा
इति मां योऽभिजानाति
कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते ॥ ४-१४ ॥
na māṃ karmāṇi limpanti
na me karmaphale spṛhā
iti māṃ yo’bhijānāti
karmabhirna sa badhyate
English transliteration na maam karmaani limpanti
na me karmaphale sprihaa
iti maam yo’bhijaanaati
karmabhirna sa badhyate ॥ 4.14 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Actions do not stain Me, nor do I have any desire for the fruits of action. One who knows Me in this way is not bound by actions.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| न na | not |
| माम् mām | Me |
| कर्माणि karmāṇi | actions |
| लिम्पन्ति limpanti | stain |
| न na | not |
| मे me | My |
| कर्मफले karmaphale | in the fruit of action karma (action) + phale (in the fruit) |
| स्पृहा spṛhā | desire |
| इति iti | thus |
| माम् mām | Me |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| अभिजानाति abhijānāti | knows |
| कर्मभिः karmabhiḥ | by actions |
| न na | not |
| सः saḥ | he |
| बध्यते badhyate | is bound |
Word-wise Chanting
- na māṃ kar–mā–ṇi lim–pan–ti 8 syllables na maam kar-maa-ni lim-pan-ti
- na me kar–ma–pha–le spṛ–hā | 8 syllables na me kar-ma-pha-le spri-haa
- i–ti māṃ yo–‘bhi–jā–nā–ti 8 syllables i-ti maam yo-‘bhi-jaa-naa-ti
- kar–ma–bhir–na sa badh–ya–te || 4-14 8 syllables kar-ma-bhir-na sa badh-ya-te
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 4 Verse 14
Context
Krishna explains how he can be both the creator and the non-doer (4.13).
Meaning
The Divine acts but is not stained, limpanti, by action, like a lotus leaf that floats on water without getting wet. This is because there is no spṛhā, desire, for the fruits. Whoever understands this divine way of acting also becomes free from the bondage of action.
The verse links theology and practice. The Divine’s freedom in action is a model for us. When we act without craving the results, our actions also stop binding us. Knowing God as the free actor helps us become free actors ourselves.
In Practice
In one action today, consciously let go of desire for its outcome, and notice the freedom of acting “like the Divine.”
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga (Knowledge and Renunciation 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.