nirāśhīr yata-chittātmā tyakta-sarva-parigrahaḥ
śhārīraṁ kevalaṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣham
nirāśhīḥ — free from expectations;
yata — controlled;
chitta-ātmā — mind and intellect;
tyakta — having abandoned;
sarva — all;
parigrahaḥ — the sense of ownership;
śhārīram — bodily;
kevalam — only;
karma — actions;
kurvan — performing;
na — never;
āpnoti — incurs;
kilbiṣham — sin
This verse talks about a wise person who is very aware and conscious, especially a person who understands the teachings of Krishna. Such a person has control over their mind and thoughts, which means they don’t get carried away by emotions or desires. Instead of worrying about getting good or bad results from what they do, they focus simply on doing their job or responsibilities without any expectations.
Imagine you're at work and you do your tasks just because you need to, rather than hoping for a big reward or promotion every time you do a good job. This is how a Krishna conscious person works: they do their part in life because it needs to be done, not for personal gain.
This person has also let go of the idea of owning things. They don’t think of possessions as "mine." Instead of being attached to their belongings, they view them as tools or means to support themselves and others. For example, if they have a car or a home, they see these items as necessities to live life, not something that gives them status or makes them feel superior.
Furthermore, just like your hand can't move on its own but follows the direction of your whole body, this person feels they are part of something bigger than themselves – they see themselves as part of a larger purpose that is influenced by a higher power. They believe that their role in life is guided by this higher power, just as a specific part of a machine functions as part of the entire system. They realize that everything happens according to the will of this supreme force, which is Krishna.
This wise individual functions in society much like a machine part. To keep working properly, a machine part must be regularly maintained – similarly, a spiritual person takes care of their own well-being through helping others and engaging in good deeds. By focusing on what is truly important and maintaining a connection to this higher purpose, they ensure they can serve and be productive in life.
Because of this attitude, they don’t feel the burden of guilt or sin that often comes from our everyday actions. They don’t actively harm others or act unethically to support themselves. They understand that just like an animal doesn’t try to resist its owner—because it doesn’t really own any part of its existence—they don’t claim ownership over their own body or possessions. Instead, they are just taking care of their physical experience and ensuring that their needs are met without stepping on others or taking undue advantage.
Lastly, because they live this way, they free themselves from the negative effects of their actions. They work selflessly and maintain genuine intentions, so they aren’t weighed down by the often negative results that come from selfish or unethical behavior. Overall, this verse teaches that through self-control, a sense of detachment, and working for the greater good, one can live a fulfilling life without accumulating guilt or negative karma.