asakta-buddhiḥ sarvatra jitātmā vigata-spṛhaḥ naiṣkarmya-siddhiṁ paramāṁ sannyāsenādhigacchati
"One whose intellect is unattached everywhere, who has conquered the self, and is free from desire—attains the supreme state of freedom from action through renunciation."
What This Means:
A person with unattached mind, self-control, and freedom from craving achieves the highest state where actions no longer bind - this is true renunciation.
Going Deeper:
Three qualifications lead to naishkarmya (actionlessness): 'Asakta-buddhi' - unattached intellect; 'Jitatma' - conquered self/mind; 'Vigata-spriha' - free from craving. 'Naishkarmya-siddhi' isn't inaction but freedom from karmic consequences of action. This 'parama' (supreme) state is liberation while still acting - the goal of karma yoga.
How To Apply This:
Work on these three: detach your mind from outcomes, master your reactions, and reduce craving. These lead to acting freely without karmic bondage.
Key Sanskrit Terms: