Shloka 20
ध्यानयोगः — Dhyāna-Yoga
Discipline of Meditation and Mental Restraint
त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासड़ूं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रय: । कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तो5पियं नैव किंचित् करोति सः,जो पुरुष समस्त कर्मोमें और उनके फलमें आसक्तिका सर्वथा त्याग करके संसारके आश्रयसे रहित हो गया है और परमात्मामें नित्यतृप्त है, वह कर्मोमें भलीभाँति बर्तता हुआ भी वास्तवमें कुछ भी नहीं करता
tyaktvā karmaphalāsaṅgaṁ nityatṛpto nirāśrayaḥ | karmaṇy abhipravṛtto 'pi naiva kiñcit karoti saḥ ||
Arjuna said: One who has completely abandoned attachment to the fruits of action, who is ever content within, and who depends on nothing in the world—though fully engaged in action—truly does not act at all. Ethically, the verse points to inner freedom: when work is done without possessiveness and without craving for outcomes, the person remains unstained by action even while performing duties.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True freedom in action comes from giving up attachment to results. When one works without craving, possessiveness, or dependence on worldly supports—and remains inwardly content—one is not bound by action, even while acting.
Arjuna is speaking, articulating an ideal of conduct: a person who has renounced attachment to outcomes and is inwardly fulfilled can still participate in necessary actions without accruing binding agency or moral entanglement.