योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसंछिन्नसंशयम् ।
आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय ॥
आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे धनञ्जय योग समता के द्वारा जिसका सम्पूर्ण कर्मोंसे सम्बन्धविच्छेद हो गया है और ज्ञानके द्वारा जिसके सम्पूर्ण संशयोंका नाश हो गया है, ऐसे स्वरूपपरायण मनुष्यको कर्म नहीं बाँधते ॥
English
O Dhananjaya, actions do not bind the one who has renounced action through yoga, whose doubts have been cut away by knowledge, and who abides in the true self.
What this verse means
A person rooted in yoga, free of doubt, and established in the true self is not trapped by actions. Action still happens, but it no longer leaves a binding mark.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still frozen between armies. Krishna has been dismantling his confusion verse by verse. Here he gives the turning point: when knowledge cuts doubt and yoga loosens attachment, action no longer binds.
Why this verse still matters
You send the message, sign the papers, or walk away from the room knowing the choice is clean. The body acts, but the mind no longer clings to the residue.
The takeaway
You can stay active without becoming trapped by what you do.
Word-by-word translation
योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणम् (one whose actions are renounced through yoga) / ज्ञानसंछिन्नसंशयम् (one whose doubts are cut away by knowledge) / आत्मवन्तम् (the one established in the true self) / न (not) / कर्माणि (actions) / निबध्नन्ति (bind) / धनञ्जय (O Dhananjaya)
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: jnana yoga (13 verses)