A declaration · expansive in mood · builds on earlier teachings
“Knowledge frees action from craving and leaves no binding trace.”
The wise call that person learned whose actions begin without desire or personal planning, and whose deeds are burned by the fire of knowledge.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallywhose · all · undertakings, beginnings of action · free from desire and intention · whose actions are burnt by the fire of knowledge · that person · they call · learned, wise · the wise
A truly wise person starts actions without craving or mental scheming, and knowledge has already burned up the binding force of those actions.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga" (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action).
Verse 19 sits in Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga, "Knowledge and Renunciation of Action". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
A teacher prepares extra classes for weak students without angling for praise from the principal. Krishna calls such a person wise: the work starts from what is needed, free of craving and private calculation.
Did you like this verse?
The fire of knowledge burns up the binding force of deeds for one who acts without craving or scheming.
What this verse means
A truly wise person starts actions without craving or mental scheming, and knowledge has already burned up the binding force of those actions.
Context & commentary
Krishna keeps refining the meaning of right action for Arjuna, who is still frozen. After showing that true wisdom sees beyond action and inaction, he now defines the person whom the wise respect: one whose beginnings are free from craving and whose karmic burden has been consumed by knowledge.
What it looks like today
A teacher prepares extra classes for weak students without angling for praise from the principal. Krishna calls such a person wise: the work starts from what is needed, free of craving and private calculation.
“You can act in the world without being driven by wanting or trapped by your own deeds.”