In Bhagavad Gita 4.18, Krishna says that one who sees inaction in action and action in inaction is wise among people, a yogi who has accomplished all action.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येद्
अकर्मणि च कर्म यः
स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु
स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् ॥ ४-१८ ॥
karmaṇyakarma yaḥ paśyed
akarmaṇi ca karma yaḥ
sa buddhimānmanuṣyeṣu
sa yuktaḥ kṛtsnakarmakṛt
English transliteration karmanyakarma yah pashyed
akarmani cha karma yah
sa buddhimaanmanushyeshu
sa yuktah kritsnakarmakrit ॥ 4.18 ॥
Translation / Meaning
One who sees inaction in action and action in inaction is wise among people. Such a one is a yogi who has accomplished all action.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| कर्मणि karmaṇi | in action |
| अकर्म akarma | inaction |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| पश्येत् paśyet | sees |
| अकर्मणि akarmaṇi | in inaction |
| च ca | and |
| कर्म karma | action |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| सः saḥ | he |
| बुद्धिमान् buddhimān | wise |
| मनुष्येषु manuṣyeṣu | among people |
| सः saḥ | he |
| युक्तः yuktaḥ | a yogi |
| कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् kṛtsnakarmakṛt | one who has done all action kṛtsna (all) + karma (action) + kṛt (doer) |
Word-wise Chanting
- kar–maṇ–ya–kar–ma yaḥ paś–yed– 8 syllables kar-man-ya-kar-ma yah pash-yed-
- a–kar–ma–ṇi ca kar–ma yaḥ | 8 syllables a-kar-ma-ni cha kar-ma yah
- sa bud–dhi–mān–ma–nuṣ–ye–ṣu 8 syllables sa bud-dhi-maan-ma-nush-ye-shu
- sa yuk–taḥ kṛt–sna–kar–ma–kṛt || 4-18 8 syllables sa yuk-tah krit-sna-kar-ma-krit
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 18
Context
This is the central statement of Krishna’s teaching on action (4.16–4.24).
Meaning
The paradox is deliberate. To see inaction in action is to recognise that the Self remains still and unaffected while the body and mind act. To see action in inaction is to recognise that mere outer inactivity can be full of desire and restlessness, a hidden form of action. The one who sees this is truly wise.
This vision changes how we live. We can act intensely while remaining inwardly silent, like the hub of a turning wheel. And we stop deceiving ourselves that withdrawal alone is spiritual. The yogi who sees this has fulfilled all action because nothing remains to bind them.
In Practice
In a busy moment today, find the still point within you, the awareness that is not busy. Rest in it while you continue to act.
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.