Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 3 Karma Yogah

न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन |
नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि ||22||

O son of Pritha, I have no duty in all three worlds, nor anything to gain or to attain, yet I continue to engage in action.

Kartavyaṁ: Duty or obligation.
Avāptavyaṁ: To be attained.
Varta: To exist or engage.

Krishna clarifies that, despite his supreme position, he performs duties to set an example. This exemplifies selfless leadership, where even the divine follows dharma to demonstrate the ideal of responsibility and adherence to duty.

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यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रित: |
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्या: पार्थ सर्वश: ||23||

If I do not engage in action, O Partha, all men would follow My path.

Vartmānu: Path or course.
Sarvaśaḥ: In every way or completely.
Partha: Son of Pritha (Arjuna).

If Krishna abstained from action, he explains, others would abandon their duties, leading to societal chaos. His commitment illustrates the importance of maintaining order through consistent effort, even for the enlightened.

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उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम् |
सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमा: प्रजा: ||24||

These worlds would perish if I did not perform action, and I would be the cause of confusion and the destroyer of these beings.

Saṅkara: Confusion or mixture.
Upahanyām: Destruction or harm.
Prajāḥ: Creatures or beings.

Krishna warns that neglecting duty would lead to moral decay and societal harm. This highlights the role of dharma in preserving order, urging Arjuna to act not only for personal liberation but also for the welfare of humanity.

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Karma Yogah - As the ignorant perform their duties with attachment, O Bharata, so should the wise act without attachment, desiring the welfare of the world.

सक्ता: कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत |
कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्चिकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम् ||25||

As the ignorant perform their duties with attachment, O Bharata, so should the wise act without attachment, desiring the welfare of the world.

Bhārata: Descendant of Bharata.
Vidyamānaḥ: Being present or existing.
Kuryād: Should do or perform.

Krishna encourages the wise to act selflessly to inspire the unwise. By fulfilling duties without attachment, knowledgeable people can guide others, showing that meaningful action comes from inner freedom, not compulsion.

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Karma Yogah - The wise should not unsettle the minds of the ignorant, who are attached to action. Performing duties with devotion, he should inspire others.

न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम् |
जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान्युक्त: समाचरन् ||26||

The wise should not unsettle the minds of the ignorant, who are attached to action. Performing duties with devotion, he should inspire others.

Joṣayet: Encourage or inspire.
Karmasaṅginām: Attached to action.
Samācaran: Performing or engaging in.

Krishna advises against disrupting the ignorant, urging the wise to lead by example instead. Through compassionate guidance, the knowledgeable should help others progress rather than criticize their attachment to action.

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Karma Yogah - All actions are performed by the modes of material nature. But the deluded soul, under the influence of false ego, thinks himself to be the doer.

प्रकृते: क्रियमाणानि गुणै: कर्माणि सर्वश: |
अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते ||27||

All actions are performed by the modes of material nature. But the deluded soul, under the influence of false ego, thinks himself to be the doer.

Guṇaiḥ: By qualities or attributes.
Karmāṇi: Actions or deeds.
Ahaṅkāra: Ego or sense of self.

Krishna teaches that actions arise from nature’s qualities, but ignorance makes people believe they are the true agents. This notion challenges Arjuna to understand the role of nature in shaping actions, reducing personal ego.

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Karma Yogah - One who knows the truth about the divisions of the qualities and their functions, O mighty-armed one, is not attached to action, knowing that qualities act upon qualities.

तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयो: |
गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते ||28||

One who knows the truth about the divisions of the qualities and their functions, O mighty-armed one, is not attached to action, knowing that qualities act upon qualities.

Tattvavit: Knower of truth.
Mahābāho: O mighty-armed one.
Vibhāga: Division or distinction.

Those with knowledge see actions as interactions of nature’s qualities, staying detached. Krishna’s insight encourages objectivity, helping Arjuna recognize that qualities act on qualities, eliminating personal pride in outcomes.

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