Actions do not stain me, and I do not crave their fruits. One who knows me this way is not bound by actions.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 4.14
Hindi · हिन्दी
मेरे द्वारा गुणों और कर्मोंके विभागपूर्वक चारों वर्णोंकी रचना की गयी है । उससृष्टिरचना आदि का कर्ता होनेपर भी मुझ अव्यय परमेश्वरको तू अकर्ता जान । कारण कि कर्मोंके फलमें मेरी स्पृहा नहीं है, इसलिये मुझे कर्म लिप्त नहीं करते । इस प्रकार जो मुझे तत्त्वसे जान लेता है, वह भी कर्मोंसे नहीं बँधता ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
न मांnot meकर्माणिactionsलिम्पन्तिstainनnotमेmyकर्मफलेin the fruit of actionस्पृहाdesire) । इति (thusमाम्meयःwhoअभिजानातिknows trulyकर्मभिःby actionsनnotसःheबध्यतेis bound
Read literallynot me · actions · stain · not · my · in the fruit of action · desire) । इति (thus · me · who · knows truly · by actions · not · he · is bound
Understanding the verse
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Actions never stain Krishna because he has no craving for their fruit, and knowing this frees you.
Actions do not affect Krishna, because he has no desire for their results. Anyone who understands this deeply is also freed from being bound by action.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna explains why he is untouched by action even while shaping the world. He has no hunger for results, and that same understanding can free Arjuna from fear of being bound by duty.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A surgeon finishes a difficult operation and then waits through the night for the patient to wake. She gave her best with clean hands, and Krishna's example says she need not be bound by what follows.
The takeaway
“Act fully, and what comes back does not have to bind you.”
Actions do not affect Krishna, because he has no desire for their results. Anyone who understands this deeply is also freed from being bound by action.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.14?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga" (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 4.14?
Verse 14 sits in Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga, "Knowledge and Renunciation of Action". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 4.14 matter today?
A surgeon finishes a difficult operation and then waits through the night for the patient to wake. She gave her best with clean hands, and Krishna's example says she need not be bound by what follows.
Actions never stain Krishna because he has no craving for their fruit, and knowing this frees you.
What this verse means
Actions do not affect Krishna, because he has no desire for their results. Anyone who understands this deeply is also freed from being bound by action.
Context & commentary
Krishna explains why he is untouched by action even while shaping the world. He has no hunger for results, and that same understanding can free Arjuna from fear of being bound by duty.
What it looks like today
A surgeon finishes a difficult operation and then waits through the night for the patient to wake. She gave her best with clean hands, and Krishna's example says she need not be bound by what follows.
“Act fully, and what comes back does not have to bind you.”
Explore related themes: nishkama (14 verses), karma phala (10 verses)