Chapter 4 · Verse 37 of 42
The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action
ज्ञानकर्मसन्न्यासयोग
Meaning
Supreme God Krishna spoke
Much like a blazing fire reduces firewood to ashes, the radiance of spiritual enlightenment consumes {the rebirth-causing potency of} all human acts. (4:37)
Sanskrit
श्रीभगवान् उवाच
यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन ।
ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा॥
Word-by-word
यथा एधांसि समिद्धः, अग्निः भस्मसात् कुरुते, अर्जुन!
ज्ञान-अग्निः सर्व-कर्माणि भस्मसात् कुरुते तथा।
Commentary
Just as a seed loses its potential to sprout when seared in fire, similarly, actions performed by a spiritually enlightened mind, free from attachment to results, yield no consequences that could bind them to rebirth.