Chapter 3 Verse 4
Karm Yog
न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते। न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति।।3.4।।
na karmaṇām anārambhān naiṣhkarmyaṁ puruṣho ’śhnute na cha sannyasanād eva siddhiṁ samadhigachchhati
Word Meanings
| na | not |
| karmaṇām | of actions |
| anārambhāt | by abstaining from |
| naiṣhkarmyam | freedom from karmic reactions |
| puruṣhaḥ | a person |
| aśhnute | attains |
| na | not |
| cha | and |
| sannyasanāt | by renunciation |
| eva | only |
| siddhim | perfection |
| samadhigachchhati | attains |
Translation
Man does not reach actionlessness by not performing actions; nor does he attain perfection by mere renunciation.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Stopping outer activity does not stop life’s demands or the inner forces that make us act. Simply avoiding work or responsibility does not make a person free from the results of action.
Giving up duties or going into outward renunciation is not by itself the path to spiritual success. True progress comes from doing what must be done with the right inner attitude — without selfish desire for results.
The verse points to a middle way: act responsibly, but let go of attachment to outcomes. Spiritual perfection is found in engaged action done with surrender, not in withdrawal alone.
Life Application
- Do your daily duties with care and honesty, even when it's inconvenient; avoid escape through passivity.
- Practice detachment: put in effort and then release the outcome instead of clinging to success or failure.
- Serve others and offer your work as a contribution, not as a way to boost your ego.
Reflection Question
Am I avoiding necessary action, or can I act with less attachment to the result?