Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 15 (BG 4.15) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

4.15 एवं thus? ज्ञात्वा having known? कृतम् (was) done? कर्म action? पूर्वैः by ancients? अपि also? मुमुक्षुभिः seekers after freedom? कुरु perform? कर्म action? एव even? तस्मात् therefore? त्वम् thou? पूर्वैः by ancients?,पूर्वतरम् in the olden time? कृतम् done.Commentary Knowing thus that the Self can have no desire for the fruits of actions and cannot be tainted by them? and knowing that no one can be tainted if he works without egoism? attachment and expectation of fruits? do thou perform your duty.If your heart is impure? perform actions for its purification. If you have attained AtmaJnana or the knowledge of the Self? work for the wellbeing of the world. The ancients such as Janaka and others performed actions in the days of yore. So do thou also perform action.

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

The Supreme Self is free from the sense of doership and attachment to the fruits of action. When the seeker directly realizes this nature of the Self, there remains in them neither desire nor the other tendencies born of ego. In the previous chapter, the path of karma yoga was practiced by many wise and liberated souls in ancient times. This means that this path is not something new. "By Your teaching alone, I shall follow the path of karma yoga, but why is there a need to reference the liberated seekers of old?" To this question, the Blessed Lord responds: "Because understanding what action truly is presents a difficulty. How so?" He explains—