Chapter 4 · Verse 21

Path of Knowledge and the Disciplines of Action

निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः। शारीरं केवलं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम्

nirāśhīr yata-chittātmā tyakta-sarva-parigrahaḥ śhārīraṁ kevalaṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣham

Word Meanings

nirāśhīḥ yata chitta-ātmā tyakta sarva parigrahaḥ śhārīram kevalam karma kurvan na āpnoti kilbiṣham

Translation

Free from expectations, with mind and body fully controlled, having renounced all sense of possession, one who performs actions solely for the body's maintenance incurs no sin.

Commentary

निराशीः without hope? यतचित्तात्मा one with the mind and self controlled? त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः having abandoned all covetousness? शारीरम् bodily? केवलम् merely? कर्म action? कुर्वन् doing? न not? आप्नोति obtains? किल्बिषम् sin.Commentary The liberated sage renounces all actions except what is necessary for the bare maintenance of the body. He has abandoned all possessions. He incurs no sin which will cause evil effects. For a man who thirsts for liberation (Mumukshu) even righteous activity (Dharma) is a sin as it causes bondage to Samsara. Dharma is a golden fetter for him. A golden fetter is also a fetter. A sage is liberated from both Dharma and Adharma? good and evil or virtue and vice. (Cf.III.7)