किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः ।
तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ॥
तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ॥
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 ॥
English
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.
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.
The takeaway
Clarity can break confusion that effort alone cannot.
Word-by-word translation
किम् (what) / कर्म (action) / किम्-अकर्म (what [is] inaction) / इति (thus) / कवयः (the wise) / अपि (even) / अत्र (here) / मोहिताः (deluded) / तत् (that) / ते (to you) / कर्म (action) / प्रवक्ष्यामि (I will explain fully) / यत् (which) / ज्ञात्वा (having known) / मोक्ष्यसे (you will be freed) / अशुभात् (from the harmful)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga — Knowledge and Renunciation of Action, which contains 42 verses.
Explore related themes: moksha (34 verses), jnana yoga (13 verses)