Chapter 3 • Verse 4

न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते। न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति॥

na karmaṇām anārambhān naiṣhkarmyaṁ puruṣho 'śhnute na cha sannyasanād eva siddhiṁ samadhigachchhati

Meaning

Not by merely abstaining from action does one attain freedom from karma, nor does one attain perfection by mere renunciation.

Running away from action doesn't free you from karma. External renunciation without internal transformation is useless. True freedom comes from how you act, not whether you act.

Strength Reflection

"I seek freedom through transformed action, not through avoidance."

Devotional Surrender

Lord, free me from karma through wisdom in action, not escape from action.