Verse 4.20
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः। कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः।।
Transliteration (IAST)
tyaktvā karma-phalāsaṅgaṁ nitya-tṛpto nirāśrayaḥ karmaṇy abhipravṛtto 'pi naiva kiñcit karoti saḥ
Word-by-Word Meanings
tyaktvā-having abandoned
karma-phala-fruits of action
āsaṅgam-attachment
nitya-tṛptaḥ-ever satisfied
nirāśrayaḥ-without dependence
abhipravṛttaḥ-fully engaged
Translation
Abandoning all attachment to the results of his activities, ever satisfied and independent, he performs no fruitive action, although engaged in all kinds of undertakings.
Commentary
This verse describes the liberated person in action - externally active but internally free. The term 'nitya-tṛptaḥ' (ever satisfied) indicates that contentment comes from within, not from results. Such a person is 'nirāśrayaḥ' - not dependent on external outcomes for their sense of self.
Themes
karmamokshayoga