Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 4 verse 16
Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga

A Subtle Distinction · Even Sages Are Puzzled

किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः । तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ।।16।।

kiṃ karma kim akarmeti kavayo 'py atra mohitāḥ tat te karma pravakṣyāmi yaj jñātvā mokṣyase 'śubhāt

Meaning

"Even the wise are confused about what is action and what is inaction. I shall explain action to you, knowing which you will be freed from misfortune."

Explanation

Krishna sets up one of the Gita's subtlest teachings, acknowledging that even sages struggle with this distinction.

Today's Life Lesson

Give yourself permission to find some questions genuinely difficult — even the wisest have struggled with them.

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