A declaration · expansive in mood · builds on earlier teachings
“Action loses its grip when nothing in you waits to possess its fruit.”
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.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
Read literallyhaving abandoned · attachment to the fruit of action · ever content · without dependence · in action · even while fully engaged · indeed not · anything · does · he
A person can stay fully active and still be inwardly free by dropping attachment to results and resting in inner contentment.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga" (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action).
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.
You send the message, make the call, or resign from the safe job — and then you stop chasing the reaction. The clean act is enough.
Did you like this verse?
It shifts attention from ownership of results to freedom within action.
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
On the Kurukshetra battlefield, Arjuna is frozen between duty and grief. Krishna now explains the hidden freedom of action: the wise person acts, yet inwardly clings to nothing, so the action leaves no binding trace.
Why this verse still matters
You send the message, make the call, or resign from the safe job — and then you stop chasing the reaction. The clean act is enough.
“You can give yourself completely without being owned by the outcome.”
Explore related themes: nishkama karma (12 verses), karma phala (10 verses)