Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 3 Karma Yogah

यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन |
कर्मेन्द्रियै: कर्मयोगमसक्त: स विशिष्यते ||7||

But, O Arjuna, he who controls his senses by his mind and engages in Karma-yoga with the organs of action, without attachment, excels.

Karmendriya: Organs of action.
Viśiṣyate: Excels or surpasses.
Yogam: Union or discipline.

True renunciation, Krishna teaches, lies in engaging the senses under disciplined mind control. By linking mental discipline with purposeful action, Krishna highlights the virtues of karma yoga over mere abstention.

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Karma Yogah - You must perform your prescribed duties, for action is superior to inaction; even the maintenance of your body would not be possible without action.

नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मण: |
शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मण: ||8||

You must perform your prescribed duties, for action is superior to inaction; even the maintenance of your body would not be possible without action.

Niyata: Prescribed or regulated.
Śarīrayātrā: Maintenance of the body.
Prasiddhya: Accomplishment or achievement.

Krishna urges Arjuna to fulfill his duties, explaining that action is superior to inaction. He illustrates that even bodily maintenance relies on action, reinforcing the idea that life’s responsibilities cannot be shirked.

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Karma Yogah - The world is bound by actions except those performed for the sake of sacrifice. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform action for that sake, free from attachment.

यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धन: |
तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्ग: समाचर ||9||

The world is bound by actions except those performed for the sake of sacrifice. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform action for that sake, free from attachment.

Yajñārtha: For the sake of sacrifice.
Karmabandhana: Bondage of actions.
Muktasaṅgaḥ: Free from attachment.

Actions performed for a higher purpose, such as sacrifice, free individuals from karmic bondage. Krishna encourages Arjuna to act without attachment, focusing on service rather than personal gain, fostering a spirit of selfless duty.

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Karma Yogah - In the beginning, the Creator, having created mankind together with sacrifices, said, "By this shall you prosper; let this be the milker of your desires."

सहयज्ञा: प्रजा: सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापति: |
अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक् ||10||

In the beginning, the Creator, having created mankind together with sacrifices, said, "By this shall you prosper; let this be the milker of your desires."

Prajāpati: Creator or lord of creatures.
Sṛṣṭvā: Having created.
Kāmadhuk: Wish-fulfilling cow or something that fulfills desires.

Krishna recounts the ancient concept of sacrifice, where humanity and divine beings cooperate in mutual benefit. This notion emphasizes harmony between individuals and the cosmos, framing selfless action as a universal principle.

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देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु व: |
परस्परं भावयन्त: श्रेय: परमवाप्स्यथ ||11||

Nourish the gods with this, and may those gods nourish you. Thus, nourishing one another, you shall attain the highest good.

Bhāvayantaḥ: Nourishing or supporting.
Śreyaḥ: Supreme good or highest welfare.
Parasparaṁ: Mutually or reciprocally.

The idea of reciprocity continues as Krishna teaches that sacrificial acts support cosmic order. By offering gratitude through sacrifice, humans ensure mutual prosperity with divine forces, reflecting a balanced, interdependent relationship.

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Karma Yogah - The gods, nourished by sacrifices, will bestow upon you the desired enjoyments. He who enjoys these without giving them in return is verily a thief.

इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविता: |
तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव स: ||12||

The gods, nourished by sacrifices, will bestow upon you the desired enjoyments. He who enjoys these without giving them in return is verily a thief.

Stena: Thief or one who takes without giving.
Yajñabhāvitāḥ: Nourished by sacrifices.
Iṣṭān: Desired or wished-for.

Krishna warns that those who take benefits without offering them back are thieves. This stark analogy emphasizes the importance of selfless contribution, urging individuals to give freely, respecting the cycle of giving and receiving.

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Karma Yogah - The righteous who eat the remnants of sacrifices are freed from all sins. But those sinful ones who cook food only for themselves, eat only sin.

यज्ञशिष्टाशिन: सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषै: |
भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् ||13||

The righteous who eat the remnants of sacrifices are freed from all sins. But those sinful ones who cook food only for themselves, eat only sin.

Yajñaśiṣṭa: Remnants of sacrifice.
Kṛilbiṣaiḥ: Sins or impurities.
Ātmakāraṇāt: For oneself or selfish reasons.

Sacrificial remnants purify the mind and spirit, Krishna explains, while those who only feed themselves accumulate sin. He advocates selflessness over selfishness, underscoring the purifying power of serving the greater good.

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