Burned in the fire of knowing

yasya sarve samārambhāḥ kāmasaṅkalpavarjitāḥjñānāgnidagdhakarmāṇaṃ tamāhuḥ paṇḍitaṃ budhāḥ

One whose every undertaking is free of selfish desire and scheming, whose actions are burned in the fire of knowledge, is called wise.

What it means

Krishna describes the truly wise person. They still plan and begin projects. But their efforts are free of kama-sankalpa, selfish desire and scheming. Their karma has been burned in the fire of knowledge. Like seeds roasted in a fire, those actions can't sprout new bondage.

The story

Arjuna has been worried that every arrow will create endless consequences. Krishna offers an image of fire. Knowledge can burn away the seeds of bondage, so that action stays clean.

In your life

Think of a charity founder who builds something huge without needing their name on it. The work is clean. Look at one project you're doing. Burn away one selfish motive in it.