In Bhagavad Gita 4.22, Krishna says that one who is content with what comes by chance, beyond dualities, free from envy and even in success and failure, is not bound even when acting.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टो
द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सरः
समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च
कृत्वापि न निबध्यते ॥ ४-२२ ॥
yadṛcchālābhasantuṣṭo
dvandvātīto vimatsaraḥ
samaḥ siddhāvasiddhau ca
kṛtvāpi na nibadhyate
English transliteration yadrichchhaalaabhasantushto
dvandvaateeto vimatsarah
samah siddhaavasiddhau cha
kritvaapi na nibadhyate ॥ 4.22 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Content with whatever comes of its own accord, beyond the pairs of opposites, free from envy, and even-minded in success and failure, such a person is not bound even though acting.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टः yadṛcchālābhasantuṣṭaḥ | content with what comes of its own accord yadṛcchā (by chance) + lābha (gain) + santuṣṭaḥ (content) |
| द्वन्द्वातीतः dvandvātītaḥ | beyond the pairs of opposites dvandva (pairs) + atītaḥ (beyond) |
| विमत्सरः vimatsaraḥ | free from envy |
| समः samaḥ | even |
| सिद्धौ siddhau | in success |
| असिद्धौ asiddhau | in failure |
| च ca | and |
| कृत्वा kṛtvā | acting |
| अपि api | even |
| न na | not |
| निबध्यते nibadhyate | is bound |
Word-wise Chanting
- ya–dṛc–chā–lā–bha–san–tuṣ–ṭo 8 syllables ya-drich-chhaa-laa-bha-san-tush-to
- dvan–dvā–tī–to vi–mat–sa–raḥ | 8 syllables dvan-dvaa-tee-to vi-mat-sa-rah
- sa–maḥ sid–dhā–va–sid–dhau ca 8 syllables sa-mah sid-dhaa-va-sid-dhau cha
- kṛt–vā–pi na ni–badh–ya–te || 4-22 8 syllables krit-vaa-pi na ni-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 22
Context
Krishna adds further qualities of the wise actor (4.19–4.23).
Meaning
The wise are yadṛcchā-lābha-santuṣṭa, content with whatever comes naturally, without scheming for more. They have risen above dvandvas, the pairs of opposites like heat and cold, praise and blame. They are vimatsara, without envy, and sama, even in success and failure. Such a person acts but is not bound.
Envy is singled out because it poisons contentment: we may be satisfied until we see someone else with more. Freedom from envy is a sign of real inner peace. When we no longer compare, we can rejoice in others’ success and accept our own lot gracefully.
In Practice
Notice any envy that arises today. Turn it into a sincere wish for the other person’s good.
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.