Chapter 3

Action

karmayoga · 43 verses

अर्जुन उवाच ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन। तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव৷৷ व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे। तदेकं वद निश्िचत्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम्৷৷

arjuna uvāca jyāyasī cētkarmaṇastē matā buddhirjanārdana. tatkiṅ karmaṇi ghōrē māṅ niyōjayasi kēśava৷৷ vyāmiśrēṇēva vākyēna buddhiṅ mōhayasīva mē. tadēkaṅ vada niśicatya yēna śrēyō.hamāpnuyām৷৷

"Arjuna questioned: My Lord! If Wisdom is above action, why dost Thou advise me to engage in this terrible fight?

Thy language perplexes me and confuses my reason. Therefore please tell me the only way by which I may, without doubt, secure my spiritual welfare.

3.3

श्री भगवानुवाच लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ। ज्ञानयोगेन सांख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम्৷৷

śrī bhagavānuvāca lōkē.smindvividhā niṣṭhā purā prōktā mayānagha. jñānayōgēna sāṅkhyānāṅ karmayōgēna yōginām৷৷

Lord Shri Krishna replied: In this world, as I have said, there is a twofold path, O Sinless One! There is the Path of Wisdom for those who meditate, and the Path of Action for those who work.

3.4

न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते। न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति৷৷

na karmaṇāmanārambhānnaiṣkarmyaṅ puruṣō.śnutē. na ca saṅnyasanādēva siddhiṅ samadhigacchati৷৷

No man can attain freedom from activity by refraining from action; nor can he reach perfection by merely refusing to act.

3.5

न हि कश्िचत्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत्। कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः৷৷

na hi kaśicatkṣaṇamapi jātu tiṣṭhatyakarmakṛt. kāryatē hyavaśaḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛtijairguṇaiḥ৷৷

He cannot even for a moment remain really inactive, for the Qualities of Nature will compel him to act whether he will or no.

3.6

कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन्। इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते৷৷

karmēndriyāṇi saṅyamya ya āstē manasā smaran. indriyārthānvimūḍhātmā mithyācāraḥ sa ucyatē৷৷

He who remains motionless, refusing to act, but all the while brooding over sensuous object, that deluded soul is simply a hypocrite.

3.7

यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन। कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते৷৷

yastvindriyāṇi manasā niyamyārabhatē.rjuna. karmēndriyaiḥ karmayōgamasaktaḥ sa viśiṣyatē৷৷

But, O Arjuna! All honour to him whose mind controls his senses, for he is thereby beginning to practise Karma-Yoga, the Path of Right Action, keeping himself always unattached.

3.8

नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः। शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः৷৷

niyataṅ kuru karma tvaṅ karma jyāyō hyakarmaṇaḥ. śarīrayātrāpi ca tē na prasiddhyēdakarmaṇaḥ৷৷

Do thy duty as prescribed, for action for duty's sake is superior to inaction. Even the maintenance of the body would be impossible if man remained inactive.

3.9

यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः। तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसंगः समाचर৷৷

yajñārthātkarmaṇō.nyatra lōkō.yaṅ karmabandhanaḥ. tadarthaṅ karma kauntēya muktasaṅgaḥ samācara৷৷

In this world people are fettered by action, unless it is performed as a sacrifice. Therefore, O Arjuna, let thy acts be done without attachment, as sacrifice only.

3.10–11

सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः। अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक्৷৷ देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः। परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ৷৷

sahayajñāḥ prajāḥ sṛṣṭvā purōvāca prajāpatiḥ. anēna prasaviṣyadhvamēṣa vō.stviṣṭakāmadhuk৷৷ dēvānbhāvayatānēna tē dēvā bhāvayantu vaḥ. parasparaṅ bhāvayantaḥ śrēyaḥ paramavāpsyatha৷৷

In the beginning, when God created all beings by the sacrifice of Himself, He said unto them: Through sacrifice you can procreate, and it shall satisfy all your desires.

Worship the Powers of Nature thereby, and let them nourish you in return; thus supporting each other, you shall attain your highest welfare.

3.12

इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः। तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः৷৷

iṣṭānbhōgānhi vō dēvā dāsyantē yajñabhāvitāḥ. tairdattānapradāyaibhyō yō bhuṅktē stēna ēva saḥ৷৷

For, fed, on sacrifice, nature will give you all the enjoyment you can desire. But he who enjoys what she gives without returning is, indeed, a robber.'

3.13

यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः। भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात्৷৷

yajñaśiṣṭāśinaḥ santō mucyantē sarvakilbiṣaiḥ. bhuñjatē tē tvaghaṅ pāpā yē pacantyātmakāraṇāt৷৷

The sages who enjoy the food that remains after the sacrifice is made are freed from all sin; but the selfish who spread their feast only for themselves feed on sin only.

3.14–15

अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भवः। यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः৷৷ कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम्। तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम्৷৷

annādbhavanti bhūtāni parjanyādannasambhavaḥ. yajñādbhavati parjanyō yajñaḥ karmasamudbhavaḥ৷৷ karma brahmōdbhavaṅ viddhi brahmākṣarasamudbhavam. tasmātsarvagataṅ brahma nityaṅ yajñē pratiṣṭhitam৷৷

All creatures are the product of food, food is the product of rain, rain comes by sacrifice, and sacrifice is the noblest form of action.

All action originates in the Supreme Spirit, which is Imperishable, and in sacrificial action the all-pervading Spirit is consciously present.

3.16

एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः। अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति৷৷

ēvaṅ pravartitaṅ cakraṅ nānuvartayatīha yaḥ. aghāyurindriyārāmō mōghaṅ pārtha sa jīvati৷৷

Thus he who does not help the revolving wheel of sacrifice, but instead leads a sinful life, rejoicing in the gratification of his senses, O Arjuna, he breathes in vain.

3.17

यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः। आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते৷৷

yastvātmaratirēva syādātmatṛptaśca mānavaḥ. ātmanyēva ca santuṣṭastasya kāryaṅ na vidyatē৷৷

On the other hand, the soul who meditates on the Self is content to serve the Self and rests satisfied within the Self; there remains nothing more for him to accomplish.

3.18

नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन। न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्िचदर्थव्यपाश्रयः৷৷

naiva tasya kṛtēnārthō nākṛtēnēha kaścana. na cāsya sarvabhūtēṣu kaśicadarthavyapāśrayaḥ৷৷

He has nothing to gain by the performance or non-performance of action. His welfare depends not on any contribution that an earthly creature can make.

3.19

तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर। असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः৷৷

tasmādasaktaḥ satataṅ kāryaṅ karma samācara. asaktō hyācarankarma paramāpnōti pūruṣaḥ৷৷

Therefore do thy duty perfectly, without care for the results, for he who does his duty disinterestedly attains the Supreme.

3.20

कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः। लोकसंग्रहमेवापि संपश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि৷৷

karmaṇaiva hi saṅsiddhimāsthitā janakādayaḥ. lōkasaṅgrahamēvāpi saṅpaśyankartumarhasi৷৷

King Janaka and others attained perfection through action alone. Even for the sake of enlightening the world, it is thy duty to act;

3.21

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः। स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते৷৷

yadyadācarati śrēṣṭhastattadēvētarō janaḥ. sa yatpramāṇaṅ kurutē lōkastadanuvartatē৷৷

For whatever a great man does, others imitate. People conform to the standard which he has set.

3.22

न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन। नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि৷৷

na mē pārthāsti kartavyaṅ triṣu lōkēṣu kiñcana. nānavāptamavāptavyaṅ varta ēva ca karmaṇi৷৷

There is nothing in this universe, O Arjuna, that I am compelled to do, nor anything for Me to attain; yet I am persistently active.

3.23–24

यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः। मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः৷৷ उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम्। सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः৷৷

yadi hyahaṅ na vartēyaṅ jātu karmaṇyatandritaḥ. mama vartmānuvartantē manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ৷৷ utsīdēyurimē lōkā na kuryāṅ karma cēdaham. saṅkarasya ca kartā syāmupahanyāmimāḥ prajāḥ৷৷

For were I not to act without ceasing, O prince, people would be glad to do likewise.

And if I were to refrain from action, the human race would be ruined; I should lead the world to chaos, and destruction would follow.

3.25–26

सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत। कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्िचकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम्৷৷ न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम्। जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान् युक्तः समाचरन्৷৷

saktāḥ karmaṇyavidvāṅsō yathā kurvanti bhārata. kuryādvidvāṅstathāsaktaśicakīrṣurlōkasaṅgraham৷৷ na buddhibhēdaṅ janayēdajñānāṅ karmasaṅginām. jōṣayētsarvakarmāṇi vidvān yuktaḥ samācaran৷৷

As the ignorant act, because of their fondness for action, so should the wise act without such attachment, fixing their eyes, O Arjuna, only on the welfare of the world.

But a wise man should not perturb the minds of the ignorant, who are attached to action; let him perform his own actions in the right spirit, with concentration on Me, thus inspiring all to do the same.

3.27

प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः। अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताऽहमिति मन्यते৷৷

prakṛtēḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ. ahaṅkāravimūḍhātmā kartā.hamiti manyatē৷৷

Action is the product of the Qualities inherent in Nature. It is only the ignorant man who, misled by personal egotism, says: I am the doer.'

3.28

तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः। गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते৷৷

tattvavittu mahābāhō guṇakarmavibhāgayōḥ. guṇā guṇēṣu vartanta iti matvā na sajjatē৷৷

But he, O Mighty One, who understands correctly the relation of the Qualities to action, is not attached to the act for he perceives that it is merely the action and reaction of the Qualities among themselves.

3.29

प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु। तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत्৷৷

prakṛtērguṇasammūḍhāḥ sajjantē guṇakarmasu. tānakṛtsnavidō mandānkṛtsnavinna vicālayēt৷৷

Those who do not understand the Qualities are interested in the act. Still, the wise man who knows the truth should not disturb the mind of him who does not.

3.30

मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा। निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः৷৷

mayi sarvāṇi karmāṇi saṅnyasyādhyātmacētasā. nirāśīrnirmamō bhūtvā yudhyasva vigatajvaraḥ৷৷

Therefore, surrendering thy actions unto Me, thy thoughts concentrated on the Absolute, free from selfishness and without anticipation of reward, with mind devoid of excitement, begin thou to fight.

3.31

ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः। श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः৷৷

yē mē matamidaṅ nityamanutiṣṭhanti mānavāḥ. śraddhāvantō.nasūyantō mucyantē tē.pi karmabhiḥ৷৷

Those who always act in accordance with My precepts, firm in faith and without cavilling, they too are freed from the bondage of action.

3.32

ये त्वेतदभ्यसूयन्तो नानुतिष्ठन्ति मे मतम्। सर्वज्ञानविमूढांस्तान्विद्धि नष्टानचेतसः৷৷

yē tvētadabhyasūyantō nānutiṣṭhanti mē matam. sarvajñānavimūḍhāṅstānviddhi naṣṭānacētasaḥ৷৷

But they who ridicule My word and do not keep it, are ignorant, devoid of wisdom and blind. They seek but their own destruction.

3.33

सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि। प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति৷৷

sadṛśaṅ cēṣṭatē svasyāḥ prakṛtērjñānavānapi. prakṛtiṅ yānti bhūtāni nigrahaḥ kiṅ kariṣyati৷৷

Even the wise man acts in character with his nature; indeed, all creatures act according to their natures. What is the use of compulsion then?

3.34

इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ। तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ৷৷

indriyasyēndriyasyārthē rāgadvēṣau vyavasthitau. tayōrna vaśamāgacchēttau hyasya paripanthinau৷৷

The love and hate which are aroused by the objects of sense arise from Nature; do not yield to them. They only obstruct the path.

3.35

श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्। स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः৷৷

śrēyānsvadharmō viguṇaḥ paradharmātsvanuṣṭhitāt. svadharmē nidhanaṅ śrēyaḥ paradharmō bhayāvahaḥ৷৷

It is better to do thine own duty, however lacking in merit, than to do that of another, even though efficiently. It is better to die doing one's own duty, for to do the duty of another is fraught with danger.

3.36

अर्जुन उवाच अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः। अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः৷৷

arjuna uvāca atha kēna prayuktō.yaṅ pāpaṅ carati pūruṣaḥ. anicchannapi vārṣṇēya balādiva niyōjitaḥ৷৷

Arjuna asked: My Lord! Tell me, what is it that drives a man to sin, even against his will and as if by compulsion?

3.37

श्री भगवानुवाच काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः। महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम्৷৷

śrī bhagavānuvāca kāma ēṣa krōdha ēṣa rajōguṇasamudbhavaḥ. mahāśanō mahāpāpmā viddhyēnamiha vairiṇam৷৷

Lord Shri Krishna: It is desire, it is aversion, born of passion. Desire consumes and corrupts everything. It is man's greatest enemy.

3.38

धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथाऽऽदर्शो मलेन च। यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम्৷৷

dhūmēnāvriyatē vahniryathā৷৷darśō malēna ca. yathōlbēnāvṛtō garbhastathā tēnēdamāvṛtam৷৷

As fire is shrouded in smoke, a mirror by dust and a child by the womb, so is the universe enveloped in desire.

3.39

आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा। कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च৷৷

āvṛtaṅ jñānamētēna jñāninō nityavairiṇā. kāmarūpēṇa kauntēya duṣpūrēṇānalēna ca৷৷

It is the wise man's constant enemy; it tarnishes the face of wisdom. It is as insatiable as a flame of fire.

3.40

इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते। एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम्৷৷

indriyāṇi manō buddhirasyādhiṣṭhānamucyatē. ētairvimōhayatyēṣa jñānamāvṛtya dēhinam৷৷

It works through the senses, the mind and the reason; and with their help destroys wisdom and confounds the soul.

3.41

तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ। पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम्৷৷

tasmāttvamindriyāṇyādau niyamya bharatarṣabha. pāpmānaṅ prajahi hyēnaṅ jñānavijñānanāśanam৷৷

Therefore, O Arjuna, first control thy senses and then slay desire, for it is full of sin, and is the destroyer of knowledge and of wisdom.

3.42–43

इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः। मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः৷৷ एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना। जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम्৷৷

indriyāṇi parāṇyāhurindriyēbhyaḥ paraṅ manaḥ. manasastu parā buddhiryō buddhēḥ paratastu saḥ৷৷ ēvaṅ buddhēḥ paraṅ buddhvā saṅstabhyātmānamātmanā. jahi śatruṅ mahābāhō kāmarūpaṅ durāsadam৷৷

It is said that the senses are powerful. But beyond the senses is the mind, beyond the mind is the intellect, and beyond and greater than intellect is He.

Thus, O Mighty-in-Arms, knowing Him to be beyond the intellect and, by His help, subduing thy personal egotism, kill thine enemy, Desire, extremely difficult though it be."

Chapter 2 Chapter 4