Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 Verse 16 Meaning
What is action? What is inaction? Even the wise are confused about this. Therefore, I shall teach you the nature of action and inaction, by knowing which you will be liberated from the evil of Samsara, the wheel of birth and death.
BG 4.16
किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः। तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात्
kiṁ karma kim akarmeti kavayo ’pyatra mohitāḥ tat te karma pravakṣhyāmi yaj jñātvā mokṣhyase ’śhubhāt
Meaning in English
What is action? What is inaction? Even the wise are confused about this. Therefore, I shall teach you the nature of action and inaction, by knowing which you will be liberated from the evil of Samsara, the wheel of birth and death.
हिंदी अर्थ (Hindi Meaning)
कर्म क्या है और अकर्म क्या है -- इस प्रकार इस विषयमें विद्वान् भी मोहित हो जाते हैं। अतः वह कर्म-तत्त्व मैं तुम्हें भलीभाँति कहूँगा, जिसको जानकर तू अशुभ- (संसार-बन्धन-) से मुक्त हो जायगा।
Explanation & Life Application
This verse from Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita offers profound wisdom for modern life. As part of The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation (Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga), it teaches about Knowledge and Divine incarnation.
The essence of this teaching encourages us to focus on our actions and duties rather than anxiety about outcomes. In today's fast-paced world, this timeless wisdom offers a path to inner peace.
— Explained by the Nitya Team
When to Apply This Verse
- •When feeling anxious about results at work or exams
- •Before starting a new project or challenge
- •When perfectionism causes stress
Related Verses
BG 4.7
Whenever there is a decline of righteousness and an increase of unrighteousness, O Arjuna, then I manifest Myself.
BG 4.8
For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of righteousness, I am born in every age.
BG 2.13
Just as the embodied soul passes through childhood, youth, and old age in this body, so too does it pass into another body; the steadfast one does not grieve over this.
Build a daily reading habit with Nitya
Get the Free App