Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 4 verse 19
Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga

Purified Action · A Mark of True Wisdom

यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिताः । ज्ञानाग्निदग्धकर्माणं तमाहुः पण्डितं बुधाः ।।19।।

yasya sarve samārambhāḥ kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ jñānāgni-dagdha-karmāṇaṃ tam āhuḥ paṇḍitaṃ budhāḥ

Meaning

"One whose every undertaking is free from selfish desire, whose actions are burned up in the fire of knowledge, is called wise by the learned."

Explanation

Krishna describes a mark of true wisdom — action so purified of selfish desire that it leaves no karmic residue.

Today's Life Lesson

Notice how much cleaner an action feels today when it's done without a hidden personal agenda.

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