Bhagavad Gita 4.15
Spoken by Krishna · Verse 15 of 42
एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः । कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम् ॥
evaṃ jñātvā kṛtaṃ karma pūrvair api mumukṣubhiḥ | kuru karmaiva tasmāt tvaṃ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataram kṛtam ||
The ancient seekers of liberation knew this — and they acted. Therefore you too must act, following the ancients.
Word by word (3)
- evaṃ jñātvā kṛtaṃ karma pūrvaiḥ api mumukṣubhiḥ
- — having known thus, action was performed even by the ancient seekers of liberation · Evaṃ jñātvā = having known thus (V14's understanding). Kṛtam karma = action was done. Pūrvaiḥ = by the ancients. Api = even. Mumukṣubhiḥ = by those desiring liberation (mumukṣu = liberation-seeker, from muc = to be freed + ukṣa = desirous). Historical testimony: the ancient seekers of mokṣa — knowing the non-binding nature of action — did act. They didn't withdraw.
- kuru karmaiva tasmāt tvaṃ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataram kṛtam
- — therefore do action — as the ancients did it before you · Kuru = do! (imperative). Karmaiva = action alone/precisely (karma + eva). Tasmāt = therefore. Pūrvaiḥ = by the ancients. Pūrvataram = in the earlier/former time (pūrva = former + tara = comparative). The direct prescription: act — following in the path the ancients walked when they understood V14's truth.
- mumukṣubhiḥ
- — mumukṣubhiḥ = by those who desire liberation (mumukṣu = one who desires mokṣa; from muc = to liberate + u = desiderative suffix + bhiḥ = instrumental plural; the desiderative form is important: mumukṣu is one who desires liberation as their primary orientation); pūrvaiḥ mumukṣubhiḥ = by the ancient seekers of liberation — these were warriors and kings (rāja-ṛṣis) who nonetheless kept the karma-yoga teaching alive while pursuing liberation; proof that karma and mumukṣu are not contradictory
Having known this truth, even the ancient seekers of liberation performed action. Therefore, do you also perform action, as the ancients did in former times.
A modern analogy
Every tradition's great figures combined deep understanding with vigorous engagement in the world. The ancient mumukṣus didn't retreat from life upon gaining insight — they acted more freely. This verse closes the argument: knowledge of non-binding action is not a reason to stop acting but a reason to act without fear.
Take with you
- Mumukṣubhiḥ — seekers of liberation. They acted. The goal of liberation does not require withdrawal from action.
- Historical testimony again: this path has ancient verification — not just theory.
- Kuru karmaiva — do action precisely, do action indeed. The instruction is strong and direct.
- This verse closes the non-doership section — which moved from 'though creator, I remain the non-doer' to 'therefore you too must act, following the ancients' — with the practical conclusion: act freely, as the knowing ones did.
Public-domain translations (5) compare all →
Having known this, even the ancient seekers of liberation performed action; therefore do thou perform action, as the ancients did in the olden time. [1]
Having known this, the ancient seekers for liberation also performed action; therefore do thou also perform action, as did the ancients in the olden time. [4]
Even the ancient seekers of salvation knew this and performed their duties. Do thou also perform thy duty as did the ancients. [6]
So have the ancient saints and sages wrought; Do thou the work that waits for thee to do. [7]
Even the ancient seekers of liberation performed actions, having known this. Therefore perform action as the ancients did in former times. [9]
This verse speaks to
Where this thread continues
Janaka attained perfection through action — not despite it. Act for the welfare of the world (lokasaṃgraha).
Actions don't taint Me — I have no longing for their fruits. Whoever knows Me thus is not bound by their actions.
Therefore: do your required action without attachment — this is the path that leads to the Supreme.
All actions are done by the gunas of nature. The ego-deluded one thinks 'I am the doer' — this is the root of bondage.
Those whose sin has ended — virtuous in deed, freed from dvandva-delusion — worship Me with firm resolve.
Do My work, hold Me supreme, be My devotee, attachment-free, without enmity toward all — such a one comes to Me!
Verse 15 of 42 · back to Chapter 4