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Bhagavad Gita 4.18 — Karmany Akarma Yah Pashyet

Bhagavad Gita 4.18 — Karmany Akarma Yah Pashyet in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Early morning meditation or while contemplating the nature of the Self and action·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 18

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

This celebrated and subtle verse from the chapter on the yoga of knowledge and action reveals the highest wisdom about work. The truly wise one perceives the stillness of the Self even amid intense activity (inaction in action), and recognizes that mere outer inactivity is not real renunciation (action in inaction). Such a person, established in this insight, is a true yogi who has fulfilled the whole purpose of all action. It points to acting while remaining inwardly free and untouched.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 18 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the fourth chapter, the Yoga of Knowledge and the Renunciation of Action, Krishna explains the subtle nature of action (karma), inaction (akarma) and forbidden action (vikarma), saying that even the wise are confused about them. This verse gives the key: the truly wise see the Self as actionless within all action, and so act without being bound.

✦ As told in scripture

Great sages who lived intensely active lives — guiding kingdoms, teaching disciples, serving humanity — are revered as having remained ever-free and untouched within, embodying this verse by seeing inaction in all their action and thus accomplishing everything without bondage.

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The Mantra

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karmaṇyakarma yaḥ paśhyed akarmaṇi cha karma yaḥ sa buddhimān manuṣhyeṣhu sa yuktaḥ kṛitsna-karma-kṛit

Meaning:One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is wise among men; such a person is a yogi and has accomplished all action.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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karmaṇi🔊in action

akarma🔊inaction

yaḥ🔊who

paśhyet🔊sees, perceives

akarmaṇi🔊in inaction

cha🔊also, and

karma🔊action

yaḥ🔊who

saḥ🔊he, that one

buddhimān🔊wise, intelligent

manuṣhyeṣhu🔊amongst humans

saḥ🔊he, that one

yuktaḥ🔊a yogi, one established in yoga

kṛitsna-karma-kṛit🔊performer of all actions

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 4.18 — Karmany Akarma Yah Pashyet

✦

Reveals the deepest secret of action — acting while remaining inwardly still

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Frees the seeker from the bondage of karma even while fully engaged in work

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Develops discriminative wisdom (viveka) between the Self and activity

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Brings the peace of the witness-Self into the midst of busy life

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Guides one to true renunciation, which is inner, not merely external

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Marks the mind of a real yogi and accomplisher of all righteous action

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 4.18 — Karmany Akarma Yah Pashyet

Repetitions11times

Best TimeEarly morning meditation or while contemplating the nature of the Self and action

Chant this verse contemplatively, allowing its paradox to unfold within: even as the body acts, the inner Self remains the silent witness. It is ideal for those seeking to combine an active life with deep spiritual freedom. Repeat it while reflecting that true wisdom lies not in fleeing action, but in seeing the changeless Self within all activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Bhagavad Gita 4.18 — Karmany Akarma Yah Pashyet written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

It means perceiving that the true Self remains still, free and untouched even while the body and mind are engaged in activity. The wise one acts outwardly, yet inwardly rests in the changeless witness — this is 'inaction in action'.

It means recognizing that merely sitting still or abstaining from work is not real renunciation. One who outwardly does nothing but is full of desires and attachments is still 'acting' inwardly. True freedom is an inner state, not just outer stillness.

Because they have understood the deepest truth about action and the Self. They can perform all duties (kritsna-karma-krit) without being bound by them, having transcended the false notion that the Self is the doer. This is the mark of a perfected yogi.

By doing your work fully and skillfully while inwardly remaining a calm witness, unattached to results and untouched by the sense of 'I am the doer'. This lets you stay active in the world yet spiritually free.