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
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.
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Explanation & Life Application
This verse from Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita highlights a practical insight: What is action? What is inaction? Even the wise are confused about this.
In The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation (Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga), Krishna explains The divine origin of spiritual knowledge and the importance of finding a true teacher.
— Explained by the Nitya Team
Chapter Context
The divine origin of spiritual knowledge and the importance of finding a true teacher.
Key themes in this chapter include Knowledge, Divine incarnation, Sacrifice.
When to Apply This Verse
- •When you need steadiness while dealing with knowledge
- •When practicing divine incarnation amid uncertainty
- •When applying sacrifice to real-life choices
Verse FAQs
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Related Verses
BG 4.1
The Blessed Lord said, "I taught this imperishable Yoga to Vivasvan; he then told it to Manu; Manu proclaimed it to Ikshvaku.
BG 4.5
The Blessed Lord said, "Many births of Mine have passed, as well as of thine, O Arjuna; I know them all, but thou knowest not, O Parantapa (scorcher of foes)."
BG 1.1
Dhritarashtra said, "What did my people and the sons of Pandu do when they had assembled together, eager for battle, on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?"
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