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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
4.184.20

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.19

Transcendental understanding of action

Karma · Action

यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः कामसंकल्पवर्जिताः ।

ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहुः पण्डितं बुधाः ॥ १९ ॥

yasya sarve samārambhāḥ

kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ

jñānāgni-dagdha-karmāṇaṁ

tam āhuḥ paṇḍitaṁ budhāḥ

Translation

One is understood to be in full knowledge whose every endeavor is devoid of desire for sense gratification. He is said by sages to be a worker for whom the reactions of work have been burned up by the fire of perfect knowledge.

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

The Fire of Perfect Knowledge

  1. 1

    Sages say a person in full knowledge works without desire for sense pleasure, and the reactions of work are burned away.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that this knowledge means knowing oneself as the eternal servant of the Supreme Lord in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  3. 3

    Develop the understanding that you are the Lord’s eternal servant, and work without seeking sense pleasure.

Key points from the purport

These notes cover verses 4.19–24

“Akarma in Karma” (inaction in action)

Main characteristic — Works without attachment (Detached) to sense gratification (4.19)

2

Detached from fruits — Acts without fruitive attachment, although engaged in all undertakings (4.20)

3

Ever-satisfied and independent (4.20*)

4

Self-control — Mind and intelligence fully controlled (4.21)

5

Freedom from sense of proprietorship (4.21)

6

Desires only bare necessities (4.21)

7

Self-satisfaction — Satisfied with whatever comes by providence with no over-endeavor (4.22*)

8

Freedom from duality — nothing can hamper his service (4.22*)

9

Steadiness — Steady in success and failure (4.22*)

10

Freedom from envy (4.22*)

11

Detached from the modes (4.23*)

12

Fully situated in transcendental knowledge (4.23*)

13

Such kind of work merges into transcendence (4.23*)

14

Absolute quality of a sacrifice performed in Krishna consciousness has no reaction (4.24)

Connected verses · 1

Texts 4.18 & 4.19

Every soul is unavoidably active. Artificial attempts at inactivity lead to a further danger; that of unengaged senses coupled with an impure mind. Anyone who attempts spiritual practices while the mind meditates on sense enjoyment will fall down, even if such an unfortunate “renunciant” appears to be less involved in the world than a devotee. Krishna further explains this verse in Text 19

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. yasyaone whose
  2. sarveall sorts of
  3. samārambhāḥattempts
  4. kāmabased on desire for sense gratification
  5. saṅkalpadetermination
  6. varjitāḥare devoid of
  7. jñānaof perfect knowledge
  8. agniby the fire
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 4.19 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

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 4.16Transcendental understanding of actionBG 4.17Transcendental understanding of actionBG 2.47Responsibility without ownership of outcomesBG 3.21Leadership by example
Live this todayActive in Service, Free from KarmaA practice from BG 4.18, 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
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