Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 41

English Translation

O Dhananjaya (Arjuna), actions do not bind one who has renounced actions through yoga, whose doubt has been fully dispelled by Knowledge, and who is not inadvertent.

Detailed Commentary

।।4.41।। Explanation -- 'Yoga-saṁnyasta-karmāṇām' -- The body, senses, mind, and intellect we have received are meant for the service of others, not for asserting our own proprietorship. From this perspective, when we engage these instruments in the service of others, the current of actions turns towards the world, and we experience *samatā* (equanimity). Thus, one who has severed connection with actions through Yoga is a *yoga-saṁnyasta-karmā*. When a Karma Yogi perceives *akarma* (inaction) in *karma* (action) and *karma* in *akarma*, then alone is he truly a *yoga-saṁnyasta-karmā*. 'Jñāna-sañchhinna-saṁśayam' -- Within a human being, there is often the doubt (*saṁśaya*) as to how detachment from actions can occur while still performing them? If one does nothing for oneself, how will one attain well-being (*kalyāṇa*)? However, when one understands the fundamental truth (*tattva*) of actions, all their doubts vanish. One gains the *jñāna* (knowledge) that actions and their fruits have a beginning and an end, but the Self (*Svarūpa*) always remains the same. From this perspective, performing actions for oneself creates a bond with actions, whereas performing actions for others with a selfless attitude (*niṣkāma bhāva*) leads to detachment from actions. Thus, it is proven that one's own welfare is achieved only by performing actions for others. 'Ātmavantam' -- The Karma Yogi's objective is to attain Self-realization (*Svarūpa-bodha*), and therefore, he always remains devoted to the Self (*Svarūpa-parāyaṇa*). All his actions are for the world. All activities, such as eating, drinking, sleeping, and sitting, are also for others; for action is related to the world (*saṁsāra*), not to the Self (*Svarūpa*). 'Na karmāṇi nibadhnanti' -- By not performing any action for himself, the Karma Yogi becomes detached from actions, meaning he becomes free from the bondage of *saṁsāra*. Actions, by their very nature (*svarūpa*), are not binding. Desire for results (*phalecchā*), possessiveness (*mamata*), attachment (*āsakti*), and the ego of doership (*kartṛtvābhimāna*) are what truly bind. Context -- In the previous verse, the Lord explained that doubt (*saṁśaya*) is destroyed by *jñāna* (knowledge), and detachment from actions occurs through *samatā* (equanimity). Now, in the subsequent verse, the Lord commands Arjuna to destroy doubt through *jñāna* and to remain established in *samatā*.