Bhagavad Gita · Verse 4.12
Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga (ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः । क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ॥१२॥
kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṃ siddhiṃ yajanta iha devatāḥ | kṣipraṃ hi mānuṣe loke siddhirbhavati karmajā ||12||
Complete Shloka Translation
Those who desire success in actions worship the deities here, for success born of action comes quickly in the human world.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सिद्धिम् | siddhim | success |
| कर्मजा | karmajā | born of action |
| काङ्क्षन्तः | kāṅkṣantaḥ | [term] in context of Those who desire success in ac... |
| कर्मणां | karmaṇāṃ | [term] in context of Those who desire success in ac... |
| सिद्धिं | siddhiṃ | [term] in context of Those who desire success in ac... |
| यजन्त | yajanta | [term] in context of Those who desire success in ac... |
| इह | iha | [term] in context of Those who desire success in ac... |
| देवताः | devatāḥ | [term] in context of Those who desire success in ac... |
| क्षिप्रं | kṣipraṃ | [term] in context of Those who desire success in ac... |
| हि | hi | [term] in context of Those who desire success in ac... |
| मानुषे | mānuṣe | [term] in context of Those who desire success in ac... |
| लोके | loke | [term] in context of Those who desire success in ac... |
| सिद्धिर्भवति | siddhirbhavati | [term] in context of Those who desire success in ac... |
| १२ | karmajā | [term] in context of Those who desire success in ac... |
success
born of action
[term] in context of Those who desire success in ac...
[term] in context of Those who desire success in ac...
[term] in context of Those who desire success in ac...
[term] in context of Those who desire success in ac...
[term] in context of Those who desire success in ac...
[term] in context of Those who desire success in ac...
[term] in context of Those who desire success in ac...
[term] in context of Those who desire success in ac...
[term] in context of Those who desire success in ac...
[term] in context of Those who desire success in ac...
[term] in context of Those who desire success in ac...
[term] in context of Those who desire success in ac...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
This verse describes worship directed toward particular results. It contrasts the limited aim of worldly success with the liberation discussed earlier.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Consider whether an immediate reward is the whole purpose of your effort."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Are immediate results obscuring a larger purpose?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to kindle the fire of higher purpose in your work: burn away the anxiety of personal ego and petty doubts with the purifying flame of deep understanding, dedication, and service.