Chapter 4, Verse 19
Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
yasya—whose; sarve—every; samārambhāḥ—undertakings; kāma—desire for material pleasures; saṅkalpa—resolve; varjitāḥ—devoid of; jñāna—divine knowledge; agni—in the fire; dagdha—burnt; karmāṇam—actions; tam—him; āhuḥ—address; paṇḍitam—a sage; budhāḥ—the wise
English translation
He whose undertakings are all devoid of desires and selfish purposes, and whose actions have been burned by the fire of knowledge, the wise call him a sage.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 4.19
Commentary
A sage performs actions only with a view to set an example to the masses. Though he works; he does nothing as he has no selfish interests; as his actions are burnt by the fire of wisdom which consists in the realisaion of inaction in action; through the knowledge of the Self or BrahmaJnana. BrahmaJnana is a mighty spiritual fire which consumes the results of all kinds of actions (Karmas); good and bad; and makes the enlightened sage quite free from the bonds of action. The sage who leads a life of perfect renunciation does only what is reired for the bare existence of his body. (Cf. III.19IV.10IV.37).
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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