Verse 3.4
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते। न च सन्न्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति।।
Transliteration (IAST)
na karmaṇām anārambhān naiṣkarmyaṁ puruṣo 'śnute | na ca sannyasanād eva siddhiṁ samadhigacchati ||
Word-by-Word Meanings
कर्मणाम्-of actions
अनारम्भात्-by non-performance
नैष्कर्म्यम्-freedom from action
सन्न्यसनात्-by renunciation
सिद्धिम्-perfection
Translation
Not by merely abstaining from action does one attain freedom from action, nor by mere renunciation does one attain perfection.
Commentary
Krishna refutes the idea that inaction leads to liberation. Simply avoiding work does not purify the mind or free one from karmic bondage. True renunciation is internal - a detachment from results - not external avoidance of duty.
Themes
karmamokshaduty