Karma Yoga
कर्म योग
न कर्मणामनारंभान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते। न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति॥ 3:4॥
न कर्मणाम् अन्-आरम्भात् नैष्कर्म्यम् पुरुषः अश्नुते, न च सन्नयसनात् एव सिद्धिम् सम्-अधि-गच्छति।।
पुरुषः (मनुष्य) न (नहीं) कर्मणाम् (कर्मों के) अन्-आरम्भात् (आरंभ न करने से) नैष्कर्म्यम् (कर्म-मुक्ति को) अश्नुते (प्राप्त करता है) च (और) न (नहीं) सन्नयसनात् (सिर्फ कर्मों का त्याग करने से) एव (ही) सिद्धिम् (सिद्धि को) सम्-अधि-गच्छति (प्राप्त करता है)।
Hindi
मनुष्य केवल कर्मों का आरंभ न करने-मात्र से कर्म-फल से मुक्ति की योग्यता—निष्कर्मता—नहीं पा सकता है। इसी प्रकार संन्यास ले लेने-मात्र से सिद्धि नहीं मिल जाती।
English
One does not achieve the state of Naishkarmya (actionlessness) without beginning to work, nor does one achieve God-realization by just renouncing the world of activities. (3:4)
English
This marks the initial introduction by the Lord of the concept of actionlessness (Naishkarmya), distinct from inaction. The Lord emphasizes that "actionlessness" is not attained without initiating actions. Naishkarmya is a technical term mentioned in the Gitā later too (18:49), signifying a state where none of our actions result in the creation of "good" or "evil" fruits, thus breaking the cycle of rebirth. It is achieved when the potency of all actions to create "fruits" is nullified, leading to liberation from the cycle of birth and death, ultimately attaining Nirvāna. The state of actionlessness is achieved when all actions are carried out without attachment to the actions themselves or their outcomes. Therefore, it is through initiating actions that one can test whether they have shed all attachment to the results. One measure of this detachment is the response to failure in achieving intended outcomes. The methods to overcome such attachment are part of the spiritual science expounded in the Gitā. Further elucidation on these concepts will unfold as we progress on our spiritual journey through the Sacred Book.