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कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः। अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः।।4.17।।

karmaṇo hyapi boddhavyaṁ boddhavyaṁ cha vikarmaṇaḥ akarmaṇaśh cha boddhavyaṁ gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ

Sanskrit Chant Recitation
Chapter 4, Verse 17
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Scripture Translation Room

Sanskrit to English Translation

Translator:
For verily, the true nature of action enjoined by the scriptures should be known, as well as that of forbidden or unlawful action, and of inaction; the nature of action is hard to understand.

A Reading - Rantideb

Why: one must understand action, wrong action, and inaction, the nature of action is profound and hard to understand, flagging that this isn't a simple topic to rush through.

In life: understanding your own real motivations for doing or not doing something usually takes more honest reflection than a quick glance.

Teaching: give yourself more time than feels comfortable when trying to genuinely understand why you're doing, or avoiding, something important.

karmaṇaḥrecommended action
hicertainly
apialso
boddhavyamshould be known
boddhavyammust understand
chaand
vikarmaṇaḥforbidden action
akarmaṇaḥinaction
chaand
boddhavyammust understand
gahanāprofound
karmaṇaḥof action
gatiḥthe true path

Deep Classical Commentary (Bhashya)

Author:
4.17 कर्मणः of action? हि for? अपि also? बोद्धव्यम् should be known? बोद्धव्यम् should be known? च and? विकर्मणः of the forbidden action? अकर्मणः of inaction? च and? बोद्धव्यम् should be known? गहना deep? कर्मणः of action? गतिः the path.No Commentary.