Krishna imparted knowledge to the ancient Sun-god, who then instructed his son, who in turn instructed others [1]. This is how one receives knowledge, from a disciplic succession of teachers and students [2]. Arjun is fit to receive such knowledge, because he is a devotee and friend of Krishna [3].

Arjun asks, "You say you educated the Sun-god, but he is hundreds of millions of years older than you. How is it possible?" [4].

Krishna answers, "Both you and I have many births, but you forget them, whereas I do not [5], for I am not "born" like you. I am the unborn, unaging Supreme Lord [6]. I appear when the world needs my help - when religion declines into irreligion [7]. I appear to destroy the demonic and uplift the saintly. That is how I restore religion and well-being [8].

"One who knows that I am birthless and pure also becomes birthless and pure [9]. Indeed many persons have been liberated in this way, knowing me to be supreme and taking shelter of me without attachment, fear or anger [10]. Others come to me not wanting liberation. I reward them whatever they desire [11]. But materially desirous persons generally seek quick rewards from the demigods and thus do not approach me [12].

"Although I create the social system of punishment and reward for good and bad actions. It is not I who perform those good and bad actions. Those who perform good or evil, however, are responsible for the happiness or suffering that results, not I. [13]. I am never entangled in the reactions of action, for my actions are ever free from material desires. Anyone who's actions are free from selfish motives can also be freed from reaction [14]. Indeed, this is how the ancients became liberated [15]."

In texts 14 and 15 Krishna spoke of acting without incurring reaction. Now, in texts 16-24, he supplies more detail on how to do so. Krishna will personally explain action and reaction because it is a very complex subject that bewilders even the greatest thinkers [16].

Understanding this subject requires familiarity with three concepts: good action, bad action, and inaction [17]. The complexity arises because action can sometimes be inaction, and inaction can sometimes be action [18]. The goal is inaction, for inaction brings no reaction. Krishna now explains how one achieves inaction through action:

One who works without an aim to enjoy the result of his work receives no reaction [19]. One must practice giving up the fruits of his labor [20], and thus gradually attain the stage of non-possessiveness [21] and freedom from duality [22]. The actions of a person on this stage produce no reaction and are thus equivalent to inaction [23]. Everything about his action becomes fully spiritual [24].

The internal requisite of reactionless action is selflessness, but is there an external requisite? Krishna now lists a variety of external activities: worship of demigods, worship of Brahman (25), control of the senses, control of the sense objects (26), and yoga (27). He then mentions broader categories of external activities: charity, austerity, mental discipline, and education (28), as well as the subdivisions of breathing discipline (29). After listing all these, Krishna states that all of them can purify one of reaction and lead one to the spiritual platform (30). Indeed without performing at least one of these sacrifices, one can achieve nothing (31).

Why the need for so many different sacrificial activities? Because there are so many different individuals with different needs (32). The action itself is not as important as the wisdom with which one performs it (33).

One begins to obtain knowledge by humbly serving and inquiring from the wise (34). Having obtained it, one will not fall under the illusion of material identification (35). That wisdom will purify even the most sinful sin, and take one across the ocean of misery (36). Like a fire burning wood to ash, wisdom consumes all sinful reactions (37).

It takes time to attain such a valuable, purifying thing (38); one must therefore endeavor tenaciously for it, with patient faith (39). Without faith one can achieve nothing (40).

One who overcomes his doubt and faithfully engages in selfless action will be untouched by reaction (41). Doubt and hesitation to walk the proper path arises in the heart out of ignorance and must be slashed with the sword of knowledge (42).