Chapter 3: Path of Actionकर्मयोग
3:4
“Not by merely abstaining from work can one achieve freedom from reaction, nor by renunciation alone can one attain perfection.”
Sanskrit
न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते | न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति ||
Transliteration
na karmaṇām anārambhān naiṣkarmyaṁ puruṣo 'śnute na ca sannyasanād eva siddhiṁ samadhigacchati
Commentary
Simply avoiding action doesn't free one from karma. Nor does external renunciation guarantee spiritual success. True freedom comes from right attitude toward action, not from inaction.
Chapter 3
Path of Action