Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 Verse 18 (4.18)

कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः । स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् | | ४-१८ | |

karmaṇyakarma yaḥ paśhyedakarmaṇi cha karma yaḥ sa buddhimānmanuṣhyeṣhu sa yuktaḥ kṛitsnakarmakṛit

Word-by-word guide:

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English: He who can see inaction in action, and action in inaction, is the wisest among men. He is a saint, even though he still acts.

💡 Commentary Note

### Shlokas 19-23 **The conduct of Yogis and sages, and its glory, described.**

Learnings from Shloka 18:

Action is subtle:: Even wise people can be confused about what is action, inaction, and wrong action.
Karma is not just movement:: Doing something good with attachment can still create bondage.
Vikarma is harmful action:: Wrong action is not the same as inaction. It actively moves the mind away from Dharma.
Akarma is action without bondage:: When work is done without attachment, ego, or craving for the result, it is like "inaction in action."
Inaction can also be action:: Avoiding a duty is not neutral. Refusing to act can also create consequences.
Wisdom changes how work feels:: When action is offered and detached, work no longer traps the person who performs it.

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Match Sanskrit words from shloka 4.18 with their Hindi and English meanings.