Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 Verse 17
भगवद् गीता अध्याय 4 श्लोक 17

कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः।
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः।।4.17।।



हिंदी अनुवाद - स्वामी रामसुख दास जी ( भगवद् गीता 4.17)
।।4.17।।कर्मका तत्त्व भी जानना चाहिये और अकर्मका तत्त्व भी जानना चाहिये तथा विकर्मका तत्त्व भी जानना चाहिये क्योंकि कर्मकी गति गहन है।


Rudra Vaishnava Sampradaya - Commentary

A question may arise from the previous verse that if bodily  activities  are
action and the absence of bodily activities is inaction then how is it  that
even those possessing discrimination are deluded in this matter?  To  answer
this  question  Lord  Krishna  reveals   that   there   are   some   special
considerations to understand about the true nature of activities  prescribed
in the Vedic scriptures as well as the real nature  of  non  performance  of
actions along with the  factual  nature  of  prohibited  actions  which  are
forbidden. The intricacies of action and inaction are  mysterious  and  hard
to fathom and are not commonly  known  in  the  world.  For  example  action
implies  inaction  as  well  as  prohibited  actions.  How  this  is  to  be
understood is very mysterious and will be explained next.


Brahma Vaishnava Sampradaya - Commentary

Moksa or liberation from the material existence  will  not  be  achieved  by
mere knowing  of the dos and donts of action. Only  by  correct  knowledge
of the nature of  actions  can  one  achieve  moksa.  Factually  this  means
without knowledge of the resplendent Supreme Lord and how  all  actions  are
ultimately performed in relation to Him, it will be impossible  to  ever  be
delivered  from  samsara  or  the  repetitive  cycle  of  birth  and  death.
Realisation of the Supreme Lord Krishna as paramatma  or  the  Supreme  Soul
within the  etheric  heart  of  every  living  being  is  the  indispensable
ingredient for moksa, how can there be  success  any  other  way.  Karma  is
performing actions, akarma is the non-performance of actions and vikarma  is
performing improper actions,  which  are  prohibited.  Actions  filled  with
desire and craving  are vikarma and prohibited.  Why  are  they  prohibited?
Because they create bondage for the living  entity  to  material  existence.
Therefore the wise after reflecting and contemplating  the  intricacies  of
action in this light should  perform  actions  accordingly.  Such  sagacious
persons do not become deluded and deviate from this  course  during  adverse
situations even though it is deluding and bewildering for others.

Now begins the summation.

Actions also have originated from Lord Krishna so for this reason  as  well,
one desirous of their best welfare should by all means become  knowledgeable
of Him. Since everything has  ultimately  emanated  from  the  Will  of  the
Supreme  Lord,  including  even  the  energy  behind  every  action  it   is
superfluous not to accept Him completely but at  least  every  being  should
understand His supreme position. Only by knowledge of Him can one tread  the
path that leads to moksa or liberation from the material existence.


Shri Vaishnava Sampradaya - Commentary

The actual nature  of  karma  or  prescribed  Vedic  actions  performed  for
attaining moksa or liberation from material existence should be  understood.
Actions which are nitya or regular  and  actions  which  are  naimittika  or
occasional if done with any sense of enjoyment in mind or if they  are  done
with the desire for material rewards should both be known to be  vikarma  or
improper actions.  The absence of action known  as  akarma  which  sometimes
can be considered action as well should also be comprehended. Therefore  the
path of karma is not easily discernible for one seeking  moksa.  The  reason
why regular and occasional activities should be clearly assimilated  for  an
aspirant for moksa is because the  rewards  for  each  are  varied  but  one
should look at them all with equipoise and realising that they all have  one
uniform purpose and that  is  the  fulfilment  of  the  goal  which  is  the
attainment of moksa. Without proper teaching and understanding of the  Vedic
scriptures one will not perceive this critical conclusion but  this  is  the
Vedic conception as revealed by Lord Krishna already  and  thus  it  is  not
necessary to expatiate upon the subject further here.


Kumara Vaishnava Sampradaya - Commentary
The actual nature  of  karma  or  prescribed  Vedic  actions  performed  for
attaining moksa or liberation from material existence should be  understood.
Actions which are nitya or regular  and  actions  which  are  naimittika  or
occasional if done with any sense of enjoyment in mind or if they  are  done
with the desire for material rewards should both be known to be  vikarma  or
improper actions.  The absence of action known  as  akarma  which  sometimes
can be considered action as well should also be comprehended. Therefore  the
path of karma is not easily discernible for one seeking  moksa.  The  reason
why regular and occasional activities should be clearly assimilated  for  an
aspirant for moksa is because the  rewards  for  each  are  varied  but  one
should look at them all with equipoise and realising that they all have  one
uniform purpose and that  is  the  fulfilment  of  the  goal  which  is  the
attainment of moksa. Without proper teaching and understanding of the  Vedic
scriptures one will not perceive this critical conclusion but  this  is  the
Vedic conception as revealed by Lord Krishna already  and  thus  it  is  not
necessary to expatiate upon the subject further here.