Bhagavad Gita — Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, Shloka 49

Moksha Sannyasa Yoga

Devanagari script

असक्तबुद्धिः सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृहः । नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिं परमां संन्यासेनाधिगच्छति ॥ १८.४९ ॥

Transliteration

asakta-buddhiḥ sarvatra jitātmā vigata-spṛhaḥ | naiṣkarmya-siddhiṁ paramāṁ saṁnyāsenādhigacchati || 18.49 ||

Translation

He whose intellect is unattached everywhere, who has conquered the self, and who is free from craving—by renunciation he attains the supreme perfection of actionlessness (naiṣkarmya-siddhi).

Gita Press Meaning

जो पुरुष सर्वत्र आसक्तिरहित बुद्धिवाला, जीते हुए मनवाला और स्पृहारहित है, वह संन्यास के द्वारा परम नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धि को प्राप्त होता है।

Critical Edition Meaning

With understanding unattached everywhere, with self (mind) mastered, and free from craving, one attains the supreme perfection of ‘non-action’ (naiṣkarmya) through renunciation.

Comparative Note

‘Saṁnyāsa’ here is often read not merely as social monasticism but as inner renunciation—giving up possessiveness and fruit-attachment. ‘Naiṣkarmya’ is interpreted by many Vedāntic commentators as freedom from binding karma (not literal inactivity). Some modern readings emphasize psychological non-reactivity and non-compulsion.

Word by Word

• असक्तबुद्धिः: one whose intellect is unattached
• असक्तबुद्धिः: Karta
• Root: असक्तबुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)

• सर्वत्र: everywhere; in all situations
• Root: सर्वत्र (अव्यय)

• जितात्मा: one who has conquered the self (mind/senses)
• जितात्मा: Karta
• Root: जितात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)

• विगतस्पृहः: one free from longing/desire
• विगतस्पृहः: Karta
• Root: विगतस्पृह (प्रातिपदिक)

• नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिम्: the attainment of actionlessness (perfection of non-agency)
• नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिम्: Karma
• Root: नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)

• परमाम्: supreme; highest
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)

• संन्यासेन: by renunciation
• संन्यासेन: Karana
• Root: संन्यास (प्रातिपदिक)

• अधिगच्छति: attains; reaches
• Root: √गम् (गच्छ) उपसर्गः अधि

Speakers

• Krishna
• Arjuna

Primary Concepts

• Saṁnyāsa (inner renunciation)
• Naiṣkarmya (non-binding action)
• Vairāgya (dispassion)
• Self-mastery

Key Themes

• Detachment as discipline
• Renunciation and liberation
• Freedom from compulsive desire

FAQs

Psychological significance?

It describes a mature mental profile: reduced attachment, regulated impulses, and diminished craving—conditions associated with less anxiety and more consistent ethical behavior.

Metaphysical meaning?

‘Non-action’ indicates a state where actions no longer generate binding consequences due to absence of egoic appropriation; agency is reinterpreted within a liberation-oriented metaphysics.

Contextual relevance?

Following the claim that duties should not be abandoned (18.48), this verse clarifies that renunciation is primarily of attachment and craving, not necessarily of activity.

Modern Application?

Practice doing necessary tasks without compulsive validation-seeking: set intentions, act, and release fixation on outcomes.