Chapter 4 Verse 23
Jñāna Karm Sanyās Yog
गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः। यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते।।4.23।।
gata-saṅgasya muktasya jñānāvasthita-chetasaḥ yajñāyācharataḥ karma samagraṁ pravilīyate
Word Meanings
| gata-saṅgasya | free from material attachments |
| muktasya | of the liberated |
| jñāna-avasthita | established in divine knowledge |
| chetasaḥ | whose intellect |
| yajñāya | as a sacrifice (to God) |
| ācharataḥ | performing |
| karma | action |
| samagram | completely |
| pravilīyate | are freed |
Translation
To one who is devoid of attachment, who is liberated, whose mind is established in knowledge, and who works for the sake of sacrifice (for the sake of God), the whole action is dissolved.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
When a person is free from clinging and has steady wisdom, their mind rests in truth. If that person performs actions as an offering—to God, to others, or to a higher purpose—those actions stop creating new binding results.
Being "established in knowledge" means seeing life clearly: understanding change, limits of ego, and the deeper goal beyond reward or praise. From that view, work becomes a sincere duty offered with no selfish grasping.
As a result, action itself becomes purifying rather than entangling. You can act fully and responsibly, yet remain inwardly free and peaceful.
Life Application
- Before starting work, set a simple intention: offer this task for a larger good (e.g., "I do this for service").
- Focus on doing your best moment by moment, then let go of expectations about outcome or praise.
- Practice brief daily reflection or quiet breathing to notice and release small attachments that pull you into anxiety.
Reflection Question
Can I offer my next action without wanting anything in return?