कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः ।
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः ॥
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
कर्मका तत्त्व भी जानना चाहिये और अकर्मका तत्त्व भी जानना चाहिये तथा विकर्मका तत्त्व भी जानना चाहिये क्योंकि कर्मकी गति गहन है ॥
English
Action, forbidden action, and inaction must all be understood, because the movement of action is hard to grasp.
What this verse means
You must understand action, wrong action, and inaction, because the way action works is subtle and difficult to see.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still frozen, and Krishna is explaining why moral action is not simple. After saying even wise people are confused about action and inaction, Krishna adds that all three must be understood before Arjuna can move rightly.
Why this verse still matters
You are about to send the message, sign the form, or walk away — and every option feels morally tangled. This verse says the first task is to see clearly, not rush blindly.
The takeaway
Not every doing is obvious. Clear seeing helps you avoid confusion and act wisely.
Word-by-word translation
कर्मणः (of action) / हि (indeed) / अपि (also) / बोद्धव्यम् (must be understood) / बोद्धव्यम् (must be understood) / च (and) / विकर्मणः (of forbidden action) / अकर्मणः (of inaction) / च (and) / बोद्धव्यम् (must be understood) / गहना (deep, hard to grasp) / कर्मणः (of action) / गतिः (movement, course)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga — Knowledge and Renunciation of Action, which contains 42 verses.