In Bhagavad Gita 4.21, Krishna says that one who is free from craving, self-controlled and without possessiveness, performing only bodily action, incurs no sin.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा
त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः
शारीरं केवलं कर्म
कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ॥ ४-२१ ॥
nirāśīryatacittātmā
tyaktasarvaparigrahaḥ
śārīraṃ kevalaṃ karma
kurvannāpnoti kilbiṣam
English transliteration niraasheeryatachittaatmaa
tyaktasarvaparigrahah
shaareeram kevalam karma
kurvannaapnoti kilbisham ॥ 4.21 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Free from craving, with mind and body under control, having given up all sense of possession, performing action merely with the body, one incurs no sin.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| निराशीः nirāśīḥ | free from craving |
| यतचित्तात्मा yatacittātmā | with mind and body controlled yata (controlled) + citta (mind) + ātmā (body, self) |
| त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः tyaktasarvaparigrahaḥ | having given up all possessiveness tyakta (given up) + sarva (all) + parigrahaḥ (possession) |
| शारीरम् śārīram | bodily |
| केवलम् kevalam | merely |
| कर्म karma | action |
| कुर्वन् kurvan | performing |
| न na | not |
| आप्नोति āpnoti | incurs |
| किल्बिषम् kilbiṣam | sin |
Word-wise Chanting
- ni–rā–śīr–ya–ta–cit–tāt–mā 8 syllables ni-raa-sheer-ya-ta-chit-taat-maa
- tyak–ta–sar–va–pa–rig–ra–haḥ | 8 syllables tyak-ta-sar-va-pa-rig-ra-hah
- śā–rī–raṃ ke–va–laṃ kar–ma 8 syllables shaa-ree-ram ke-va-lam kar-ma
- kur–van–nāp–no–ti kil–bi–ṣam || 4-21 8 syllables kur-van-naap-no-ti kil-bi-sham
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 21
Context
The description of the wise actor continues from 4.20.
Meaning
This person has given up āśīs, craving for results, and parigraha, the instinct to grasp and possess. Body and mind are under control. Their actions are “merely bodily”: performed through the body for its maintenance and duty, without egoistic involvement. Such action does not produce sin or bondage.
Possessiveness ties us to the world with countless threads. When we let go of the need to own and control, action becomes simple and clean. The body still eats, works and moves, but the heart remains free.
In Practice
Give away or release one possession you do not need this week. Notice the lightness that follows.
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.