Shloka 18
ध्यानयोगः — Dhyāna-Yoga
Discipline of Meditation and Mental Restraint
सम्बन्ध-- इस प्रकार श्रोताके अन्तःकरणमें रुचि और श्रद्धा उत्पन्न करनेके लिये कर्मतत्वको गहन एवं उसका जानना आवश्यक बतलाकर अब अपनी प्रतिज्ञाके अनुसार भगवान् कर्मका तत्त्व समझाते हैं-- कर्मण्यकर्म य: पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म य: । स बुद्धिमान मनुष्येषु स युक्त: कृत्स्नकर्मकृत्
karmaṇy akarma yaḥ paśyed akarmaṇi ca karma yaḥ | sa buddhimān manuṣyeṣu sa yuktaḥ kṛtsna-karma-kṛt ||
能于行中见不行，于不行中见行者，乃人中真智。此人于瑜伽中自持而调御；虽行于世间，亦被理解为已圆满诸业——因为其所作皆以正知而行，不以执著结缚。
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True wisdom is to understand that some actions, when done without ego and attachment to results, are effectively 'non-binding' (akarma), while some forms of outward 'non-action' can still be binding 'action' if the mind remains active with desire, fear, or self-interest. The yogin acts with inner freedom and right knowledge.
In the midst of the Kurukṣetra setting, the teaching turns to the subtlety of karma: the Lord explains to Arjuna how to act rightly. The verse highlights a discerning vision that reconciles worldly duty with inner renunciation, defining who is truly wise and truly engaged in yoga.