In Bhagavad Gita 4.41, Krishna says that actions do not bind one who has renounced action through yoga, whose doubts are cut by knowledge, and who is established in the Self.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं
ज्ञानसञ्छिन्नसंशयम्
आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि
निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय ॥ ४-४१ ॥
yogasaṃnyastakarmāṇaṃ
jñānasañchinnasaṃśayam
ātmavantaṃ na karmāṇi
nibadhnanti dhanañjaya
English transliteration yogasamnyastakarmaanam
jnaanasanchhinnasamshayam
aatmavantam na karmaani
nibadhnanti dhananjaya ॥ 4.41 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Actions do not bind one who has renounced actions through yoga, whose doubts have been cut asunder by knowledge, and who is established in the Self, O Dhananjaya.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणम् yogasaṃnyastakarmāṇam | one who has renounced actions through yoga yoga (yoga) + saṃnyasta (renounced) + karmāṇam (actions) |
| ज्ञानसञ्छिन्नसंशयम् jñānasañchinnasaṃśayam | whose doubts are cut by knowledge jñāna (knowledge) + sañchinna (cut) + saṃśayam (doubts) |
| आत्मवन्तम् ātmavantam | established in the Self |
| न na | not |
| कर्माणि karmāṇi | actions |
| निबध्नन्ति nibadhnanti | bind |
| धनञ्जय dhanañjaya | O Dhanañjaya |
Word-wise Chanting
- yo–ga–saṃn–yas–ta–kar–mā–ṇaṃ 8 syllables yo-ga-samn-yas-ta-kar-maa-nam
- jñā–na–sañ–chin–na–saṃ–śa–yam | 8 syllables jnaa-na-san-chhin-na-sam-sha-yam
- āt–ma–van–taṃ na kar–mā–ṇi 8 syllables aat-ma-van-tam na kar-maa-ni
- ni–badh–nan–ti dha–nañ–ja–ya || 4-41 8 syllables ni-badh-nan-ti dha-nan-ja-ya
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 41
Context
Krishna summarises the teaching of the chapter: the union of yoga and knowledge.
Meaning
The verse brings together the key ideas of Chapter 4. Through yoga, one renounces the inner attachment to action, not action itself. Through knowledge, doubts are cut. Through being ātmavān, established in the Self, one stands free. For such a person, actions no longer bind.
This is the chapter’s synthesis of action and knowledge. They are not two paths in conflict but two aspects of one freedom. Action purified by yoga and illumined by knowledge becomes the action of a free person.
In Practice
Name one doubt that troubles your spiritual life. Study or reflect on it until you reach a clear understanding, then act from it.
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.