
4
CHAPTER
VERSE
23
गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतस: |
यज्ञायाचरत: कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते || 4.23 ||
gatasangasya muktasya jnanaavasthitachetasah |
yajnaayaacharatah karma samagram pravileeyate ||
One who is free from attachment, whose mind is established in knowledge, and who works for the sake of sacrifice, is liberated from all sinful reactions and is in perfect harmony with the Supreme.
Lesson:
There are few characteristics of a liberated soul, as Lord Krishna clarifies. Firstly, he mentions being 'gatasangasya' which means being free from attachment. This highlights the importance of detachment from worldly desires and material possessions. Such detachment leads to inner freedom and peace.
Secondly, Krishna speaks of 'jnanaavasthitachetasah', indicating a mind firmly established in knowledge. This refers to spiritual wisdom and understanding, where one comprehends the eternal nature of the soul and its relationship with the Supreme. With a mind immersed in this higher understanding, one transcends the duality of pleasure and pain, success and failure.
Finally, Lord Krishna emphasizes the significance of performing actions as an offering to the Supreme, denoted by 'yajnaayaacharatah karma'. This concept of 'yajna' implies selfless service or sacrifice, where actions are performed not for personal gain but for the greater good and in alignment with the divine will. By engaging in such actions with devotion and surrender, individuals purify their consciousness and elevate their spiritual state. Overall, this verse underscores the path to liberation, which involves renunciation of attachment, cultivation of spiritual knowledge, and dedication to selfless service. Through these practices, one can attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death and attain union with the Supreme.