Quiz · 4.11–4.23
Action and inaction
Cover the answer. Read the Devanagari of the verse before you open it.
1
In 4.18, what case is karmaṇi (कर्मणि) and akarmaṇi (अकर्मणि), and what form is paśyet (पश्येत्)?
Answer
Both are locative singular. They answer "in." paśyet (पश्येत्) is optative, third person singular, of dṛś (दृश्), "he would see." He sees akarma (अकर्म) in karma (कर्म), and karma (कर्म) in akarma (अकर्म).
2
paśyet (पश्येत्) stands in front of akarmaṇi (अकर्मणि). What is recited, and what happened to the t (त्)?
Answer
paśyed akarmaṇi (पश्येदकर्मणि). Before a vowel, t (त्) becomes d (द्). The dictionary word is still paśyet (पश्येत्). Do not look up पश्येद paśyed.
3
Say 4.18 in one sentence.
Answer
Who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is wise among men; he is yoked, the doer of action in its wholeness.
4
What is 4.11–4.23 doing in the talk between Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण)?
Answer
After the birth-teaching, Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण) says he meets people as they come, then turns to action that does not stain the maker. Even the wise are confused about karma (कर्म) and akarma (अकर्म). The knot is 4.18. The rest of the stretch draws the person whose undertakings have no desire in them, who does nothing at all even while engaged, and whose whole action, done for sacrifice, dissolves.
5
Cover the English of 4.18. Which phrase shows you have the stretch?
Answer
karmaṇy akarma (कर्मण्यकर्म) and akarmaṇi ca karma (अकर्मणि च कर्म). If the two locatives are swapped, you have the verse backwards. Stay there.