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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
4.194.21

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.20

Transcendental understanding of action

Karma · Action

त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः ।

कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः ॥ २० ॥

tyaktvā karma-phalāsaṅgaṁ

nitya-tṛpto nirāśrayaḥ

karmaṇy abhipravṛtto ’pi

naiva kiñcit karoti saḥ

Translation

Abandoning all attachment to the results of his activities, ever satisfied and independent, he performs no fruitive action, although engaged in all kinds of undertakings.

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

Acting Without Attachment

  1. 1

    One who gives up attachment to results remains satisfied and independent, acting without seeking personal rewards.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that freedom from reactions is possible only by doing everything for Kṛṣṇa out of pure love.

  3. 3

    Do your duty to the best of your ability, leaving the results and your care to Kṛṣṇa.

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 4.20 & 4.21

Text 4.20 describes sadhaka stage. Texts 4.21 — 4.22 describes siddha stage.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tyaktvāhaving given up
  2. karma-phala-āsaṅgamattachment for fruitive results
  3. nityaalways
  4. tṛptaḥbeing satisfied
  5. nirāśrayaḥwithout any shelter
  6. karmaṇiin activity
  7. abhipravṛttaḥbeing fully engaged
  8. apiin spite of
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 4.20 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 todayDo Your Duty for KṛṣṇaOne practice from 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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