Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 Verse 17 (4.17)
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 Verse 17 (4.17)
कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः । अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः | | ४-१७ | |
karmaṇo hyapi boddhavyaṁ boddhavyaṁ cha vikarmaṇaḥ akarmaṇaśhcha boddhavyaṁ gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ
Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
- कर्मणः
(karmanah)— कर्म(action must be understood) - हि
(hi)— कर्म(action must be understood) - अपि
(api)— कर्म(action must be understood) - ओधय
(boddhavyam)— कर्म(inaction must be understood) - ओधय
(boddhavyam)— कर्म(inaction must be understood) - च
(cha)— कर्म(inaction must be understood) - इकमन
(vikarmanah)— कर्म(wrong action must also be understood)
Line 2:
- अकर्मणः
(akarmanah)— कर्म(inaction must be understood) - च
(cha)— कर्म(inaction must be understood) - ओधय
(boddhavyam)— कर्म(inaction must be understood) - गहन
(gahana)— गहन(the movement of karma is deep and difficult) - कर्मणः
(karmanah)— कर्म(action must be understood) - गतिः
(gatih)— लक्ष्य(the movement of karma is deep and difficult)
English: It is necessary to consider what is right action, what is wrong action, and what is inaction, for mysterious is the law of action.
Learnings from Shloka 17:
- Analyze Your Choices:: Distinguish between constructive duty, harmful acts, and selfless deeds.
- Deep Consequences:: Every choice we make has subtle and far-reaching effects on our consciousness and life journey.
Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz
Practice this shloka vocabularyMatch Sanskrit words from shloka 4.17 with their Hindi and English meanings.
Practice vocabulary
The web of karma is intricate and difficult to comprehend fully. Seekers must learn to differentiate between duty (Karma), forbidden action (Vikarma), and detached action (Akarma) to live in harmony.