Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 17: The Way of Action Is Deep

In Bhagavad Gita 4.17, Krishna says one must understand action, wrong action and inaction, for the nature of action is deep and hard to know.

Sanskrit Verse

Bhagavad Gita 4.17 · Chapter 4, Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga

श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said

कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं
बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं
गहना कर्मणो गतिः ॥ ४-१७ ॥

karmaṇo hyapi boddhavyaṃ
boddhavyaṃ ca vikarmaṇaḥ
akarmaṇaśca boddhavyaṃ
gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ

English transliteration karmano hyapi boddhavyam
boddhavyam cha vikarmanah
akarmanashcha boddhavyam
gahanaa karmano gatih ॥ 4.17 ॥

Translation / Meaning

One must understand what action is, what wrong action is, and what inaction is. Deep indeed is the way of action.

In one line: Action, wrong action and inaction must each be understood; the way of action is deep.

Word Meanings

Word Meaning
कर्मणः karmaṇaḥ of action
हि hi indeed
अपि api also
बोद्धव्यम् boddhavyam must be understood
बोद्धव्यम् boddhavyam must be understood
च ca and
विकर्मणः vikarmaṇaḥ of wrong action
अकर्मणः akarmaṇaḥ of inaction
च ca and
बोद्धव्यम् boddhavyam must be understood
गहना gahanā deep, difficult
कर्मणः karmaṇaḥ of action
गतिः gatiḥ the way, nature

Word-wise Chanting

Metre: Anuṣṭubh (śloka) · 4 pādas of 8 syllables

  1. kar–ma–ṇo hya–pi bod–dhav–yaṃ 8 syllables kar-ma-no hya-pi bod-dhav-yam
  2. bod–dhav–yaṃ ca vi–kar–ma–ṇaḥ | 8 syllables bod-dhav-yam cha vi-kar-ma-nah
  3. a–kar–ma–ṇaś–ca bod–dhav–yaṃ 8 syllables a-kar-ma-nash-cha bod-dhav-yam
  4. ga–ha–nā kar–ma–ṇo ga–tiḥ || 4-17 8 syllables ga-ha-naa kar-ma-no ga-tih
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 17

Context

Krishna continues his introduction to the nature of action (4.16).

Meaning

Krishna distinguishes three things: karma, right action that fits one’s duty; vikarma, wrong or forbidden action; and akarma, inaction or the actionless state. Each must be understood. The gati, the course or inner nature of action, is gahana, deep like a dense forest. Easy rules cannot capture it.

The verse calls for discernment. Not every action is good, not every withdrawal is wise, and the deepest freedom is found in a state that transcends both. Spiritual maturity means understanding the subtle laws that govern our actions and their effects.

In Practice

Reflect on one recent choice. Was it right action, wrong action or avoidance? What would truly wise action have been?

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.