One who has abandoned attachment to the fruits of action, remains ever content, and depends on nothing, does nothing at all even while fully engaged in action.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 4.20
Hindi · हिन्दी
जो कर्म और फलकी आसक्तिका त्याग करके आश्रयसे रहित और सदा तृप्त है, वह कर्मोंमें अच्छी तरह लगा हुआ भी वास्तवमें कुछ भी नहीं करता ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
त्यक्त्वाhaving abandonedकर्मफलासङ्गम्attachment to the fruit of actionनित्यतृप्तःever contentनिराश्रयःwithout dependenceकर्मणिin actionअभिप्रवृत्तः अपिeven while fully engagedन एवindeed notकिञ्चित्anythingकरोतिdoesसःhe
Read literallyhaving abandoned · attachment to the fruit of action · ever content · without dependence · in action · even while fully engaged · indeed not · anything · does · he
Understanding the verse
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Fully engaged yet doing nothing at all: Krishna's picture of someone content, dependent on nothing, unattached to results.
A person can stay fully active and still be inwardly free by dropping attachment to results and resting in inner contentment.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna now explains to Arjuna, frozen between duty and grief, the hidden freedom of action: the wise person acts, yet inwardly clings to nothing, so the action leaves no binding trace.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A father coaches his son's cricket team every Sunday and enjoys it whether they win or lose. Krishna would say he is fully active and still free, since the scorecard has no hold on him.
The takeaway
“You can give yourself completely without being owned by the outcome.”
A person can stay fully active and still be inwardly free by dropping attachment to results and resting in inner contentment.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.20?
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 4.20?
Verse 20 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 4.20 matter today?
A father coaches his son's cricket team every Sunday and enjoys it whether they win or lose. Krishna would say he is fully active and still free, since the scorecard has no hold on him.
Fully engaged yet doing nothing at all: Krishna's picture of someone content, dependent on nothing, unattached to results.
What this verse means
A person can stay fully active and still be inwardly free by dropping attachment to results and resting in inner contentment.
Context & commentary
Krishna now explains to Arjuna, frozen between duty and grief, the hidden freedom of action: the wise person acts, yet inwardly clings to nothing, so the action leaves no binding trace.
What it looks like today
A father coaches his son's cricket team every Sunday and enjoys it whether they win or lose. Krishna would say he is fully active and still free, since the scorecard has no hold on him.
“You can give yourself completely without being owned by the outcome.”
Explore related themes: nishkama karma (12 verses), karma phala (10 verses)