BG 6.4

 

Bhagavad Gita

 6.4

Sanskrit (Chapter 6, Verse 4):

यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते ।

सर्वसङ्कल्पसंन्यासी योगारूढस्तदोच्यते ॥

Transliteration:

yadā hi nendriyārtheṣu na karmasv anuṣajjate

sarva-saṅkalpa-sannyāsī yogārūḍhas tadocyate

Translation (concise):

When a person is no longer attached to sense objects or to actions themselves, and has renounced all selfish intentions, that person is said to be established in yoga.

Meaning

In Chapter 6 (Dhyāna Yoga), Krishna explains to Arjuna the state of one who is yogārūḍha — firmly established in spiritual realization.

Key ideas:

• Not attached to sense pleasures → Freedom from craving external stimulation.
• Not attached even to action → Acting without ego or obsession with results.
• Renunciation of mental constructs (saṅkalpa) → Letting go of inner compulsions, fantasies, and personal agendas.

This verse marks a transition:

Earlier, disciplined action (karma yoga) is necessary.

Here, true yoga is described as inner detachment, not inactivity — but freedom from psychological dependence.

If you’d like, I can also explain how this verse connects with 6.3 (about action vs. renunciation) or how different commentators like Śaṅkara interpret it.