Verse 3.18
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन। न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्चिदर्थव्यपाश्रयः।।
Transliteration (IAST)
naiva tasya kṛtenārtho nākṛteneha kaścana | na cāsya sarva-bhūteṣu kaścid artha-vyapāśrayaḥ ||
Word-by-Word Meanings
कृतेन-by action done
अर्थः-purpose/gain
अकृतेन-by action not done
सर्वभूतेषु-among all beings
अर्थव्यपाश्रयः-dependence for any purpose
Translation
For such a self-realized person, there is nothing to be gained by action done, nor anything lost by action not done. Nor does such a person depend on any being for any purpose.
Commentary
The liberated soul has no personal stake in action or inaction. Having realized the Self, all worldly purposes are fulfilled. This state of complete independence is the fruit of Self-knowledge. Yet as verse 3.20 will show, even such beings may act for the welfare of others.
Themes
atmanmokshajnana