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Chapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge · 42 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Duty & actionChapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge
4.154.17

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.16

Transcendental understanding of action

Karma · Action

किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः ।

तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽश‍ुभात् ॥ १६ ॥

kiṁ karma kim akarmeti

kavayo ’py atra mohitāḥ

tat te karma pravakṣyāmi

yaj jñātvā mokṣyase ’śubhāt

Translation

Even the intelligent are bewildered in determining what is action and what is inaction. Now I shall explain to you what action is, knowing which you shall be liberated from all misfortune.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Understanding Action and Inaction

  1. 1

    Even intelligent people are confused about action and inaction. Kṛṣṇa promises to explain action so that one can be freed from all misfortune.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that only action in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, guided by authorized teachers in disciplic succession, frees one from material bondage.

  3. 3

    Follow the example of previous genuine devotees rather than inventing your own religious principles.

Key points from the purport

Must follow liberated souls — Without following liberated souls one is sure to be bewildered in discovering karma, vikarma and akarma

This verse mentions the need to avoid independent work – Action has to be executed in accordance with the example of previous bona-fide devotees

Therefore Lord offers to explain karma, vikarma and akarma

a

Whom to follow — Leadership of authorized persons in parampara

b

Why does the Lord instruct Arjuna directly?

Because even the most intelligent person gets bewildered on this path

c

Why follow Arjuna footsteps?

Because of direct instruction of Lord to Arjuna, anyone who follows in the footsteps of Arjuna is certainly not bewildered

d

Imperfect speculators can’t help

Lord Himself lays down religions

Understand this science through Mahajanas – (study purport for all the names)

e

Lord’s causeless mercy

Lord is explaining directly to Arjuna so that His devotees can understand

Only action performed in Krishna consciousness can deliver a person

Connected verses · 1

Texts 4.16 & 4.17

In the next verse Krishna adds the principle of vikarma, or forbidden action, to His presentation of karma and akarma.

Further reading

Understanding Karma On The Platform Of Jnana

One can perform detached actions in Krishna’s service by applying ‘transcendental knowledge’ They are called akarma

Akarma refers to actions without reactions and such actions are on the absolute platform

Krishna explains how in this way karma can be seen as jnana

Chapter 4, section III: Understanding Karma On The Platform Of Jnana
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kimwhat is
  2. karmaaction
  3. kimwhat is
  4. akarmainaction
  5. itithus
  6. kavayaḥthe intelligent
  7. apialso
  8. atrain this matter
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: karma, sva-dharma.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 4.16 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 4 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 4.17Transcendental understanding of actionBG 4.18Transcendental understanding of actionBG 2.47Responsibility without ownership of outcomesBG 3.21Leadership by example
Live this todayLearn What Right Action MeansA practice from BG 4.17, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction