偈颂 4.174.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.84.94.104.114.124.134.144.154.164.174.184.194.204.214.224.234.244.254.264.274.284.294.304.314.324.334.344.354.364.374.384.394.404.414.42

For verily (the true nature) of action (enjoined by the scriptures) should be known, also (that) of forbidden (or unlawful) action, and of inaction; hard to understand is the nature (path) of action.

One must understand action, one must understand wrong action, and one must understand inaction. The way of action is deep.

Krishna names three things that must be understood: karma, action as it should be; vikarma, wrong or forbidden action; and akarma, inaction. He then says that the course of action is gahana, deep or hard to penetrate. Traditions differ on the precise sense of vikarma, some reading it as forbidden action, others as varied or special action. The verse makes clear that the ethics of action cannot be settled by simple rules. One must look into the nature of each act, its motive and its effect.