yasya sarve samārambhāḥ kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ
jñānāgni-dagdha-karmāṇaṁ tam āhuḥ paṇḍitaṁ budhāḥ
yasya — whose;
sarve — every;
samārambhāḥ — undertakings;
kāma — desire for material pleasures;
saṅkalpa — resolve;
varjitāḥ — devoid of;
jñāna — divine knowledge;
agni — in the fire;
dagdha — burnt;
karmāṇam — actions;
tam — him;
āhuḥ — address;
paṇḍitam — a sage;
budhāḥ — the wise
This verse is telling us about a special kind of person, someone who really understands life and their purpose. Imagine someone who does everything without wanting anything in return—no desire for money, fame, or pleasure. This person acts out of pure knowledge or understanding, not out of selfish wishes.
When we say that their actions are devoid of desire, it means they do not get caught up in what we commonly want, like a nice car, a big house, or people's approval. Instead, they focus on doing what is right and what benefits everyone. Such a person has deep knowledge of the nature of life and understands that they are a servant of something greater than themselves—what we call the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The verse compares this deep understanding to a fire. Fire has the power to burn away things that are not needed, just like this person’s knowledge burns away the results of their actions. For example, when we do something good for others without expecting anything in return, we won’t be attached to the results. Any possible negatives or consequences that could come from our actions are 'burnt away' because we understand our actions deeply and realize they are not about us, but about fulfilling a higher purpose.
In simple terms, the verse tells us that a truly wise person is one who acts with full knowledge and isn’t bound by their desires. They perform their actions out of understanding and love for a higher truth, and through this understanding, they are freed from the worries and consequences that usually come from our everyday actions. They don't get angry or upset when things don’t go their way because they are focused on the bigger picture.
This could mean a person can go through challenges in life, like losing a job or facing difficulties, but they remain steady and peaceful. That's because their actions are rooted in this higher understanding of who they are. It’s like being unbothered by a rainstorm because you know it will pass, and you’re prepared for it.
Ultimately, this verse encourages us to seek deeper knowledge and act from that place, leading us to a more fulfilling and balanced life.