त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः | कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः ||४-२०||
tyaktvā karmaphalāsaṅgaṃ nityatṛpto nirāśrayaḥ . karmaṇyabhipravṛtto.api naiva kiñcitkaroti saḥ ||4-20||
Chapter 4 · Verse 20
Jnana Yoga
ज्ञानयोग
In plain words
The same idea of inaction in action is repeated here to produce a deep impression on the minds of the aspirants. He who works for the wellbeing of the world and he who performs actions without egoism and attachment for the fruits to set an example to the masses really does nothing at all though he is ever engaged in activity as he possesses the knowledge of the Self which is beyond all activity and as he has realised his identity with It. As Brahman the Absolute is selfcontained all the desires are gratified if one realises the Self.
Translation
4.20 Having renounced attachment to the fruits of his actions, ever contented with the eternal self, and dependent on none, one does not act at all, even though engaged in action.
Meaning
The same idea of inaction in action is repeated here to produce a deep impression on the minds of the aspirants. He who works for the wellbeing of the world and he who performs actions without egoism and attachment for the fruits to set an example to the masses really does nothing at all though he is ever engaged in activity as he possesses the knowledge of the Self which is beyond all activity and as he has realised his identity with It. As Brahman the Absolute is selfcontained all the desires are gratified if one realises the Self. He is ever satisfied and does not depend on anything just as a man who has the favour of the king does not depend on the minister or the government official for anything. (Cf. IV.41)
Word by word
त्यक्त्वा having abandoned कर्मफलासङ्गम् attachment to the fruits of action नित्यतृप्तः even content निराश्रयः depending on nothing कर्मणि in action अभिप्रवृत्तः engaged अपि even न not एव verily किञ्चित् anything करोति does सः he.