In Bhagavad Gita 4.20, Krishna says that one who has given up attachment to the fruits of action, is ever content and depends on nothing, does nothing at all even while acting.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं
नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः
कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि
नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः ॥ ४-२० ॥
tyaktvā karmaphalāsaṅgaṃ
nityatṛpto nirāśrayaḥ
karmaṇyabhipravṛtto’pi
naiva kiñcitkaroti saḥ
English transliteration tyaktvaa karmaphalaasangam
nityatripto niraashrayah
karmanyabhipravritto’pi
naiva kinchitkaroti sah ॥ 4.20 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Having given up attachment to the fruits of action, ever content and depending on nothing, such a person does nothing at all, even though fully engaged in action.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| त्यक्त्वा tyaktvā | having given up |
| कर्मफलासङ्गम् karmaphalāsaṅgam | attachment to the fruits of action karma (action) + phala (fruit) + āsaṅgam (attachment) |
| नित्यतृप्तः nityatṛptaḥ | ever content nitya (ever) + tṛptaḥ (content) |
| निराश्रयः nirāśrayaḥ | depending on nothing |
| कर्मणि karmaṇi | in action |
| अभिप्रवृत्तः abhipravṛttaḥ | fully engaged |
| अपि api | even |
| न na | not |
| एव eva | indeed |
| किञ्चित् kiñcit | anything |
| करोति karoti | does |
| सः saḥ | he |
Word-wise Chanting
- tyak–tvā kar–ma–pha–lā–saṅ–gaṃ 8 syllables tyak-tvaa kar-ma-pha-laa-san-gam
- nit–ya–tṛp–to ni–rāś–ra–yaḥ | 8 syllables nit-ya-trip-to ni-raash-ra-yah
- kar–maṇ–ya–bhip–ra–vṛt–to–‘pi 8 syllables kar-man-ya-bhip-ra-vrit-to-‘pi
- nai–va kiñ–cit–ka–ro–ti saḥ || 4-20 8 syllables nai-va kin-chit-ka-ro-ti sah
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 20
Context
Krishna continues the portrait of the wise actor (4.19–4.23).
Meaning
This person is nitya-tṛpta, always satisfied, and nirāśraya, not leaning on anything external for security or happiness. Because they need nothing from their actions, they can be fully engaged in work, yet in truth they “do nothing”: there is no ego claiming the deeds and no desire binding them.
The verse shows that inner freedom is compatible with great activity. Satisfaction does not make a person lazy; it makes them free to act purely. Dependence on results makes action heavy; contentment makes it light.
In Practice
Do your work today from a place of contentment rather than need. Notice whether it becomes lighter and clearer.
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.