4.20 thyakthvA karmapalAsangam

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama:  SrImath varavaramunayE nama:

Chapter 4

<< Chapter 4 verse 19

SlOkam – Original

thyakthvA karmapalAsangam nithyathrupthO nirASraya: |
karmaNyabhipravruththO’pi naiva kinchith karOthi sa: ||

word-by-word meaning

karma palAsangam – attachment in the results of actions
thyakthvA – giving up
nithya thruptha: – being satisfied with the eternal AthmA
nirASraya: – being free from considering this (impermanent) body as dependable

(who ever performs their karma in this manner)
sa: – he
karmaNi – in karmas
abhipravruththa: api – though engaged with full intent
kinchith naiva karOthi – is considered to have performed no karma

Simple Translation

Whoever performs his karmas (actions) giving up attachment in their results, being satisfied with the eternal AthmA and being free from considering this (impermanent) body as dependable, though he is engaged with full intent in karmas, he is considered to have performed no karma.

Rendering based on ALkoNdavilli gOvindhAchArya swAmy’s English translation of gIthA bhAshyam

‘Whoso is dissociated from works’ fruit, ever self-contented, and self-reliant, though he engage in work, never does anything.’

Whoso has abandoned all connection with fruit of works, whoso is nitya-tṛipta (ever content), i.e., ever content in the eternal ātma;

Whoso is nirāśraya (self-reliant), i.e., who does not depend on matter (prakṛiti);

Though such a man may act and seem to be ever so intent therein, he does no act (i.e., an act which would have a binding effect), for, though what ostensibly seems as if he does work, he is inwardly really cultivating knowledge (or wisdom).

The wisdom-aspect of work is further examined:—

>> Chapter 4 verse 21

archived in http://githa.koyil.org

pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org
pramANam (scriptures) – http://granthams.koyil.org
pramAthA (preceptors) – http://acharyas.koyil.org
SrIvaishNava education/kids portal – http://pillai.koyil.