O Dhananjaya, actions do not bind the one who has renounced action through yoga, whose doubts have been cut away by knowledge, and who abides in the true self.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 4.41
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे धनञ्जय योग समता के द्वारा जिसका सम्पूर्ण कर्मोंसे सम्बन्धविच्छेद हो गया है और ज्ञानके द्वारा जिसके सम्पूर्ण संशयोंका नाश हो गया है, ऐसे स्वरूपपरायण मनुष्यको कर्म नहीं बाँधते ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणम्one whose actions are renounced through yogaज्ञानसंछिन्नसंशयम्one whose doubts are cut away by knowledgeआत्मवन्तम्the one established in the true selfनnotकर्माणिactionsनिबध्नन्तिbindधनञ्जयO Dhananjaya
Read literallyone whose actions are renounced through yoga · one whose doubts are cut away by knowledge · the one established in the true self · not · actions · bind · O Dhananjaya
Understanding the verse
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Dhananjaya is told that actions cannot bind one whose doubts knowledge has cut and who rests in the self.
A person rooted in yoga, free of doubt, and established in the true self is not trapped by actions. Action still happens, but it no longer leaves a binding mark.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna has been dismantling Arjuna's confusion verse by verse while he stands frozen between the armies. Here he gives the turning point: when knowledge cuts doubt and yoga loosens attachment, action no longer binds.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A woman heading her village panchayat makes a hard call on sharing water after weighing it fully. With her doubts settled and her mind steady, Krishna would say the decision does not keep gripping her afterwards.
The takeaway
“You can stay active without becoming trapped by what you do.”
A person rooted in yoga, free of doubt, and established in the true self is not trapped by actions. Action still happens, but it no longer leaves a binding mark.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.41?
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 4.41?
Verse 41 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 4.41 matter today?
A woman heading her village panchayat makes a hard call on sharing water after weighing it fully. With her doubts settled and her mind steady, Krishna would say the decision does not keep gripping her afterwards.
Dhananjaya is told that actions cannot bind one whose doubts knowledge has cut and who rests in the self.
What this verse means
A person rooted in yoga, free of doubt, and established in the true self is not trapped by actions. Action still happens, but it no longer leaves a binding mark.
Context & commentary
Krishna has been dismantling Arjuna's confusion verse by verse while he stands frozen between the armies. Here he gives the turning point: when knowledge cuts doubt and yoga loosens attachment, action no longer binds.
What it looks like today
A woman heading her village panchayat makes a hard call on sharing water after weighing it fully. With her doubts settled and her mind steady, Krishna would say the decision does not keep gripping her afterwards.
“You can stay active without becoming trapped by what you do.”
Explore related themes: jnana yoga (13 verses)