Verse 4.21
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः। शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम्।।
Transliteration (IAST)
nirāśīr yata-cittātmā tyakta-sarva-parigrahaḥ śārīraṁ kevalaṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣam
Word-by-Word Meanings
nirāśīḥ-without desire
yata-cittātmā-with mind and self controlled
tyakta-sarva-parigrahaḥ-giving up all possessiveness
śārīram-bodily
kevalam-only
kilbiṣam-sin/reaction
Translation
Such a man of understanding acts with mind and intelligence perfectly controlled, gives up all sense of proprietorship over his possessions, and acts only for the bare necessities of life. Thus working, he is not affected by sinful reactions.
Commentary
This verse describes the ideal of minimal engagement with the material world. The liberated person acts only to maintain the body (śārīram kevalam) without accumulating possessions or generating karmic reactions. This is not ascetic withdrawal but conscious simplicity within active life.
Themes
karmayogamoksha