Chapter 4, Verse 12
काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः | क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ||४-१२||
kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṃ siddhiṃ yajanta iha devatāḥ . kṣipraṃ hi mānuṣe loke siddhirbhavati karmajā ||4-12||
Meaning
4.12 Those who long for success in action in this world sacrifice to the gods; because success is ickly attained by men through action.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Explanation & Commentary
Krishna observes the common motivation of most worldly activity. People who crave quick results worship the devas — the various gods who govern aspects of nature and fortune — seeking material success. And indeed such success comes swiftly in the human world, for action does produce fruit. There is nothing condemned here; Krishna simply describes how desire-driven effort works.
Yet a subtle teaching lies beneath. Success born of action (karmajā siddhi) is real but limited — it is bound to time, change, and renewed craving. The verse gently contrasts this fast, finite reward with the imperishable liberation described earlier. Worldly attainment is easy and quick precisely because it is small. The greater fulfillment Krishna points toward asks for a different kind of effort, free of grasping for results.
💡 Key Takeaway
Desire-driven effort brings quick but limited results; lasting fulfillment asks for a deeper, less grasping kind of action.
Related Verses
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः | तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् ||४-१३||
cāturvarṇyaṃ mayā sṛṣṭaṃ guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ . tasya kartāramapi māṃ viddhyakartāramavyayam ||4-13||
4.13 The fourfold caste has been created by Me according to the differentiation of Guna and Karma; though I am the author thereof know Me as non-doer and immutable.
न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा | इति मां योऽभिजानाति कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते ||४-१४||
na māṃ karmāṇi limpanti na me karmaphale spṛhā . iti māṃ yo.abhijānāti karmabhirna sa badhyate ||4-14||
4.14 Actions do not taint Me, nor have I a desire for the fruit of actions. He who knows Me thus is not bound by actions.
एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः | कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम् ||४-१५||
evaṃ jñātvā kṛtaṃ karma pūrvairapi mumukṣubhiḥ . kuru karmaiva tasmāttvaṃ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataraṃ kṛtam ||4-15||
4.15 Having known this, the ancient seekers after freedom also performed action; therefore do thou also perform action, as did the ancients in days of yore.