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.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 4.41
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 ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणम्one whose actions are renounced through yogaज्ञानसंछिन्नसंशयम्one whose doubts are cut away by knowledgeआत्मवन्तम्the one established in the true selfनnotकर्माणिactionsनिबध्नन्तिbindधनञ्जयO Dhananjaya
Read literallyone whose actions are renounced through yoga · one whose doubts are cut away by knowledge · the one established in the true self · not · actions · bind · O Dhananjaya
Understanding the verse
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It shifts attention from the action itself to the state of inner freedom in which action happens.
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.
02
On the battlefield
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.
03
In your life
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.”
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.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.41?
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 4.41?
Verse 41 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 4.41 matter today?
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.
It shifts attention from the action itself to the state of inner freedom in which action happens.
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.
“You can stay active without becoming trapped by what you do.”
Explore related themes: jnana yoga (13 verses)