What is action, and what is inaction? Even the wise are confused here. I will explain that action to you, knowing which you will be freed from what is harmful.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 4.16
Hindi · हिन्दी
कर्म क्या है और अकर्म क्या है इस प्रकार इस विषयमें विद्वान् भी मोहित हो जाते हैं । अतः वह कर्मतत्त्व मैं तुम्हें भलीभाँति कहूँगा, जिसको जानकर तू अशुभ संसारबन्धन से मुक्त हो जायगा ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
किम्whatकर्मactionकिम्-अकर्मwhat [is] inactionइतिthusकवयःthe wiseअपिevenअत्रhereमोहिताःdeludedतत्thatतेto youकर्मactionप्रवक्ष्यामिI will explain fullyयत्whichज्ञात्वाhaving knownमोक्ष्यसेyou will be freedअशुभात्from the harmful
Read literallywhat · action · what [is] inaction · thus · the wise · even · here · deluded · that · to you · action · I will explain fully · which · having known · you will be freed · from the harmful
Understanding the verse
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It shifts the mind from guessing about action to learning its true structure.
Even intelligent people get confused about what action and inaction really mean. Krishna says he will explain it clearly so Arjuna can be freed from harmful bondage.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is frozen, and Krishna has begun untangling the deepest question behind duty. After saying that wise people are confused about action, he promises to explain the real nature of action so Arjuna can move without bondage.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You stand at the edge of a hard choice and realize you do not even know what the right kind of action looks like. Before moving, you need clarity, not more noise.
The takeaway
“Clarity can break confusion that effort alone cannot.”
Explore related themes: moksha(34 verses), jnana yoga(13 verses)
Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 4.16 mean?
Even intelligent people get confused about what action and inaction really mean. Krishna says he will explain it clearly so Arjuna can be freed from harmful bondage.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.16?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga" (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 4.16?
Verse 16 sits in Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga, "Knowledge and Renunciation of Action". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 4.16 matter today?
You stand at the edge of a hard choice and realize you do not even know what the right kind of action looks like. Before moving, you need clarity, not more noise.
It shifts the mind from guessing about action to learning its true structure.
What this verse means
Even intelligent people get confused about what action and inaction really mean. Krishna says he will explain it clearly so Arjuna can be freed from harmful bondage.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is frozen, and Krishna has begun untangling the deepest question behind duty. After saying that wise people are confused about action, he promises to explain the real nature of action so Arjuna can move without bondage.
Why this verse still matters
You stand at the edge of a hard choice and realize you do not even know what the right kind of action looks like. Before moving, you need clarity, not more noise.
“Clarity can break confusion that effort alone cannot.”
Explore related themes: moksha (34 verses), jnana yoga (13 verses)