Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga
The Yoga of Action
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Verse 3.1
arjuna uvāca
jyāyasī cet karmaṇas te matā buddhir janārdana |
tat kiṁ karmaṇi ghore māṁ niyojayasi keśava ||1||
arjuna uvacha
jyayasi chet karmanas te mata buddhir janardana |
tat kin karmani ghore mam niyojayasi keshava ||1||
Translation: Arjuna said: O Janardana, O Keshava, if You consider that intelligence is superior to fruitive work, why then do You urge me to engage in this ghastly warfare?
Verse 3.2
vyāmiśreṇeva vākyena buddhiṁ mohayasīva me |
tad ekaṁ vada niścitya yena śreyo ’ham āpnuyām ||2||
vyamishreneva vakyena buddhim mohayasiva me |
tad ekam vada nishchitya yena shreyo ’ham apnuyam ||2||
Translation: My intelligence is bewildered by Your equivocal instructions. Therefore, please tell me decisively which path is most beneficial for me.
Verse 3.3
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
loke ’smin dvividhā niṣṭhā purā proktā mayānagha |
jñāna-yogena sāṅkhyānāṁ karma-yogena yoginām ||3||
shri-bhagavan uvacha
loke ’smin dvividha nishtha pura prokta mayanagha |
jnana-yogena sankhyanan karma-yogena yoginam ||3||
Translation: The Supreme Lord said: O sinless Arjuna, I have already stated that there are two classes of men who realize the Self. Some realize it through analytical knowledge (Jnana-yoga), and others through practical work (Karma-yoga).
Verse 3.4
na karmaṇām anārambhān naiṣkarmyaṁ puruṣo ’śnute |
na ca sannyasanād eva siddhiṁ samadhigacchati ||4||
na karmanam anarambhan naishkarmyam purusho ’shnute |
na cha sannyasanad eva siddhim samadhigachchhati ||4||
Translation: Not by merely abstaining from work can one achieve freedom from reaction, nor by renunciation alone can one attain perfection.
Verse 3.5
na hi kaścit kṣaṇam api jātu tiṣṭhaty akarmakṛt |
kāryate hy avaśaḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛti-jair guṇaiḥ ||5||
na hi kashchit kshanam api jatu tishthaty akarmakrit |
karyate hy avashah karma sarvah prakriti-jair gunaih ||5||
Translation: Everyone is forced to act helplessly by the qualities born of material nature; therefore no one can ever cease from doing work, even for a moment.
Verse 3.6
karmendriyāṇi saṁyamya ya āste manasā smaran |
indriyārthān vimūḍhātmā mithyācāraḥ sa ucyate ||6||
karmendriyani samyamya ya aste manasa smaran |
indriyarthan vimudhatma mithyacharah sa uchyate ||6||
Translation: One who restrains the senses of action but whose mind dwells on sensory objects is deluded and is called a pretender.
Verse 3.7
yas tv indriyāṇi manasā niyamyārabhate ’rjuna |
karmendriyaiḥ karma-yogam asaktaḥ sa viśiṣyate ||7||
yas tv indriyani manasa niyamyarabhate ’rjuna |
karmendriyaih karma-yogam asaktah sa vishishyate ||7||
Translation: On the other hand, one who controls the senses by the mind and engages the active organs in karma-yoga without attachment is by far superior.
Verse 3.8
niyataṁ kuru karma tvaṁ karma jyāyo hy akarmaṇaḥ |
śarīra-yātrāpi ca te na prasiddhyed akarmaṇaḥ ||8||
niyatan kuru karma tvan karma jyayo hy akarmanah |
sharira-yatrapi cha te na prasiddhyed akarmanah ||8||
Translation: Perform your prescribed duty, for doing so is better than not working. One cannot even maintain one’s physical body without work.
Verse 3.9
yajñārthāt karmaṇo ’nyatra loko ’yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ |
tadarthaṁ karma kaunteya mukta-saṅgaḥ samācara ||9||
yajnarthat karmano ’nyatra loko ’yan karma-bandhanah |
tadarthan karma kaunteya mukta-sangah samachara ||9||
Translation: Work must be done as a sacrifice; otherwise, work binds one to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for that purpose, and in that way remain always free from bondage.
Verse 3.10
saha-yajñāḥ prajāḥ sṛṣṭvā purovāca prajāpatiḥ |
anena prasaviṣyadhvam eṣa vo ’stv iṣṭa-kāma-dhuk ||10||
saha-yajnah prajah srishtva purovacha prajapatih |
anena prasavishyadhvam esha vo ’stv ishta-kama-dhuk ||10||
Translation: In the beginning of creation, the Lord of all creatures sent forth generations of men and demigods along with sacrifices, and blessed them by saying: “Be thou happy by this sacrifice because its performance will bestow upon you all desirable things.”
Verse 3.11
devān bhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ |
parasparaṁ bhāvayantaḥ śreyaḥ param avāpsyatha ||11||
devan bhavayatanena te deva bhavayantu vah |
parasparam bhavayantah shreyah param avapsyatha ||11||
Translation: The demigods, being pleased by sacrifices, will also please you; thus by cooperation between men and demigods, prosperity will reign for all.
Verse 3.12
iṣṭān bhogān hi vo devā dāsyante yajña-bhāvitāḥ |
tair dattān apradāyaibhyo yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ ||12||
ishtan bhogan hi vo deva dasyante yajna-bhavitah |
tair dattan apradayaibhyo yo bhunkte stena eva sah ||12||
Translation: In charge of various necessities of life, the demigods, being satisfied by the performance of sacrifice, will supply all necessities to you. But he who enjoys such gifts without offering them in return is certainly a thief.
Verse 3.13
yajña-śiṣṭāśinaḥ santo mucyante sarva-kilbiṣaiḥ |
bhuñjate te tv aghaṁ pāpā ye pacanty ātma-kāraṇāt ||13||
yajna-shishtashinah santo muchyante sarva-kilbishaih |
bhunjate te tv agham papa ye pachanty atma-karanat ||13||
Translation: The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin.
Verse 3.14
annād bhavanti bhūtāni parjanyād anna-sambhavaḥ |
yajñād bhavati parjanyo yajñaḥ karma-samudbhavaḥ ||14||
annad bhavanti bhutani parjanyad anna-sambhavah |
yajnad bhavati parjanyo yajnah karma-samudbhavah ||14||
Translation: All living bodies subsist on food grains, which are produced from rain. Rains are produced by performance of sacrifice, and sacrifice is born of prescribed duties.
Verse 3.15
karma brahmodbhavaṁ viddhi brahmākṣara-samudbhavam |
tasmāt sarva-gataṁ brahma nityaṁ yajñe pratiṣṭhitam ||15||
karma brahmodbhavam viddhi brahmakshara-samudbhavam |
tasmat sarva-gatam brahma nityam yajne pratishthitam ||15||
Translation: Regulated activities are prescribed in the Vedas, and the Vedas are directly manifested from the Supreme. Consequently, the all-pervading Transcendence is eternally situated in acts of sacrifice.
Verse 3.16
evaṁ pravartitaṁ cakraṁ nānuvartayatīha yaḥ |
aghāyur indriyārāmo moghaṁ pārtha sa jīvati ||16||
evam pravartitan chakram nanuvartayatiha yah |
aghayur indriyaramo mogham partha sa jivati ||16||
Translation: My dear Arjuna, one who does not follow in this life the cycle of sacrifice thus established leads a life full of sin. Living only for the satisfaction of the senses, such a person lives in vain.
Verse 3.17
yas tv ātma-ratir eva syād ātmatṛptaś ca mānavaḥ |
ātmany eva ca santuṣṭas tasya kāryaṁ na vidyate ||17||
yas tv atma-ratir eva syad atmatriptash cha manavah |
atmany eva cha santushtas tasya karyam na vidyate ||17||
Translation: But for a person who takes pleasure only in the self, who is illuminated in the self, and who is fully satisfied in the self only—for him there is no duty.
Verse 3.18
naiva tasya kṛtenārtho nākṛteneha kaścana |
na cāsya sarva-bhūteṣu kaścid artha-vyapāśrayaḥ ||18||
naiva tasya kritenartho nakriteneha kashchana |
na chasya sarva-bhuteshu kashchid artha-vyapashrayah ||18||
Translation: A self-realized man has no purpose to fulfill in the discharge of his prescribed duties, nor has he any reason not to work. Nor has he any need to depend on any other living being.
Verse 3.19
tasmād asaktaḥ satataṁ kāryaṁ karma samācara |
asakto hy ācaran karma param āpnoti pūruṣaḥ ||19||
tasmad asaktah satatan karyan karma samachara |
asakto hy acharan karma param apnoti purushah ||19||
Translation: Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty; for by working without attachment, one reaches the Supreme.
Verse 3.20
karmaṇaiva hi saṁsiddhim āsthitā janakādayaḥ |
loka-saṅgraham evāpi sampaśyan kartum arhasi ||20||
karmanaiva hi samsiddhim asthita janakadayah |
loka-sangraham evapi sampashyan kartum arhasi ||20||
Translation: Kings such as Janaka attained perfection only by performance of prescribed duties. Therefore, just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work.
Verse 3.21
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ |
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute lokas tad anuvartate ||21||
yad yad acharati shreshthas tat tad evetaro janah |
sa yat pramanan kurute lokas tad anuvartate ||21||
Translation: Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.
Verse 3.22
na me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ triṣu lokeṣu kiñcana |
nānavāptam avāptavyaṁ varta eva ca karmaṇi ||22||
na me parthasti kartavyan trishu lokeshu kinchana |
nanavaptam avaptavyam varta eva cha karmani ||22||
Translation: O son of Pritha, there is no work prescribed for Me within all the three planetary systems. Nor am I in want of anything, nor have I need to obtain anything—and yet I am engaged in prescribed duties.
Verse 3.23
yadi hy ahaṁ na varteyaṁ jātu karmaṇy atandritaḥ |
mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ ||23||
yadi hy aham na varteyan jatu karmany atandritah |
mama vartmanuvartante manushyah partha sarvashah ||23||
Translation: For if I ever failed to engage in carefully performing prescribed duties, O Partha, certainly all men would follow My path in all respects.
Verse 3.24
utsīdeyur ime lokā na kuryāṁ karma ced aham |
saṅkarasya ca kartā syām upahanyām imāḥ prajāḥ ||24||
utsideyur ime loka na kuryan karma ched aham |
sankarasya cha karta syam upahanyam imah prajah ||24||
Translation: If I did not perform prescribed duties, all these worlds would be put to ruination. I would be the cause of creating unwanted population and would thereby destroy the peace of all living beings.
Verse 3.25
saktāḥ karmaṇy avidvāṁso yathā kurvanti bhārata |
kuryād vidvāṁs tathāsaktaś cikīrṣur loka-saṅgraham ||25||
saktah karmany avidvamso yatha kurvanti bharata |
kuryad vidvams tathasaktash chikirshur loka-sangraham ||25||
Translation: As the ignorant perform their duties with attachment, so the wise should work without attachment, desirous of leading people on the right path.
Verse 3.26
na buddhi-bhedaṁ janayed ajñānāṁ karma-saṅginām |
joṣayet sarva-karmāṇi vidvān yuktaḥ samācaran ||26||
na buddhi-bhedan janayed ajnanan karma-sanginam |
joshayet sarva-karmani vidvan yuktah samacharan ||26||
Translation: So as not to disrupt the minds of ignorant men attached to fruitive work, a wise man should not induce them to stop work. Rather, by working in the spirit of devotion, he should engage them in all sorts of activities.
Verse 3.27
prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ |
ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate ||27||
prakriteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvashah |
ahankara-vimudhatma kartaham iti manyate ||27||
Translation: The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities which are in fact carried out by nature.
Verse 3.28
tattva-vit tu mahā-bāho guṇa-karma-vibhāgayoḥ |
guṇā guṇeṣu vartanta iti matvā na sajjate ||28||
tattva-vit tu maha-baho guna-karma-vibhagayoh |
guna guneshu vartanta iti matva na sajjate ||28||
Translation: One who knows the absolute truth about the modes of nature and work, O mighty-armed, does not engage himself in the senses and their work, knowing well that such work is merely interaction of the material modes.
Verse 3.29
prakṛter guṇa-sammūḍhāḥ sajjante guṇa-karmasu |
tān akṛtsna-vido mandān kṛtsna-vin na vicālayet ||29||
prakriter guna-sammudhah sajjante guna-karmasu |
tan akritsna-vido mandan kritsna-vin na vichalayet ||29||
Translation: Bewildered by the modes of material nature, the ignorant foolishly get attached to material works. Although these duties are inferior, a wise man should not unsettle them, due to their dull-wittedness.
Verse 3.30
mayi sarvāṇi karmāṇi sannyasyādhyātma-cetasā |
nirāśīr nirmamo bhūtvā yudhyasva vigata-jvaraḥ ||30||
mayi sarvani karmani sannyasyadhyatma-chetasa |
nirashir nirmamo bhutva yudhyasva vigata-jvarah ||30||
Translation: Therefore, surrendering all your works unto Me, with full knowledge of the Self, free from desires for profit, free from claims to proprietorship, and free from lethargy, fight.
Verse 3.31
ye me matam idaṁ nityam anutiṣṭhanti mānavāḥ |
śraddhāvanto ’nasūyanto mucyante te ’pi karmabhiḥ ||31||
ye me matam idam nityam anutishthanti manavah |
shraddhavanto ’nasuyanto muchyante te ’pi karmabhih ||31||
Translation: Those persons who execute their duties according to My injunctions and who follow this teaching faithfully, without envy, become free from the bondage of fruitive actions.
Verse 3.32
ye tv etad abhyasūyanto nānutiṣṭhanti me matam |
sarva-jñāna-vimūḍhāṁs tān viddhi naṣṭān acetasaḥ ||32||
ye tv etad abhyasuyanto nanutishthanti me matam |
sarva-jnana-vimudhams tan viddhi nashtan achetasah ||32||
Translation: But those who, out of envy, disregard these teachings and do not practice them regularly are to be considered bereft of all knowledge, bewildered, and doomed to ignorance.
Verse 3.33
sadṛśaṁ ceṣṭate svasyāḥ prakṛter jñānavān api |
prakṛtiṁ yānti bhūtāni nigrahaḥ kiṁ kariṣyati ||33||
sadrishan cheshtate svasyah prakriter jnanavan api |
prakritim yanti bhutani nigrahah kin karishyati ||33||
Translation: Even a wise man acts according to his own nature, for everyone follows the nature he has acquired from the three modes. What can repression accomplish?
Verse 3.34
indriyasyendriyasyārthe rāga-dveṣau vyavasthitau |
tayor na vaśam āgacchet tau hy asya paripanthinau ||34||
indriyasyendriyasyarthe raga-dveshau vyavasthitau |
tayor na vasham agachchhet tau hy asya paripanthinau ||34||
Translation: Attraction and repulsion for sense objects are felt by embodied beings. One should not fall under the control of senses and sense objects, for they are stumbling blocks on the path.
Verse 3.35
śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣṭhitāt |
sva-dharme nidhanaṁ śreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ ||35||
shreyan sva-dharmo vigunah para-dharmat sv-anushthitat |
sva-dharme nidhanam shreyah para-dharmo bhayavahah ||35||
Translation: It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another’s duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duties, which is dangerous.
Verse 3.36
arjuna uvāca
atha kena prayukto ’yaṁ pāpaṁ carati pūruṣaḥ |
anicchann api vārṣṇeya balād iva niyojitaḥ ||36||
arjuna uvacha
atha kena prayukto ’yam papan charati purushah |
anichchhann api varshneya balad iva niyojitah ||36||
Translation: Arjuna said: O descendant of Vrishni, by what is one impelled to sinful acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force?
Verse 3.37
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
kāma eṣa krodha eṣa rajo-guṇa-samudbhavaḥ |
mahāśano mahā-pāpmā viddhy enam iha vairiṇam ||37||
shri-bhagavan uvacha
kama esha krodha esha rajo-guna-samudbhavah |
mahashano maha-papma viddhy enam iha vairinam ||37||
Translation: The Supreme Lord said: It is lust only, Arjuna, which is born of contact with the material modes of passion and later transformed into wrath, and which is the all-devouring, sinful enemy of this world.
Verse 3.38
dhūmenāvriyate vahnir yathādarśo malena ca |
yatholbenāvṛto garbhas tathā tenedam āvṛtam ||38||
dhumenavriyate vahnir yathadarsho malena cha |
yatholbenavrito garbhas tatha tenedam avritam ||38||
Translation: As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, or as the embryo is covered by the womb, similarly, the living entity is covered by different degrees of this lust.
Verse 3.39
āvṛtaṁ jñānam etena jñānino nitya-vairiṇā |
kāma-rūpeṇa kaunteya duṣpūreṇānalena ca ||39||
avritan jnanam etena jnanino nitya-vairina |
kama-rupena kaunteya dushpurenanalena cha ||39||
Translation: Thus, a man’s pure consciousness is covered by his eternal enemy in the form of lust, which is never satisfied and which burns like fire.
Verse 3.40
indriyāṇi mano buddhir asyādhiṣṭhānam ucyate |
etair vimohayaty eṣa jñānam āvṛtya dehinam ||40||
indriyani mano buddhir asyadhishthanam uchyate |
etair vimohayaty esha jnanam avritya dehinam ||40||
Translation: The senses, the mind, and the intelligence are the sitting places of this lust. Through them, lust covers the real knowledge of the living entity and bewilders him.
Verse 3.41
tasmāt tvam indriyāṇy ādau niyamya bharatarṣabha |
pāpmānaṁ prajahi hy enaṁ jñāna-vijñāna-nāśanam ||41||
tasmat tvam indriyany adau niyamya bharatarshabha |
papmanam prajahi hy enan jnana-vijnana-nashanam ||41||
Translation: Therefore, O Arjuna, best of the Bharatas, in the very beginning you should curb this great symbol of sin [lust] by regulating the senses, and slay this destroyer of knowledge and self-realization.
Verse 3.42
indriyāṇi parāṇy āhur indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ |
manasas tu parā buddhir yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ ||42||
indriyani parany ahur indriyebhyah param manah |
manasas tu para buddhir yo buddheh paratas tu sah ||42||
Translation: The working senses are superior to dull matter; mind is higher than the senses; intelligence is higher than the mind; and the soul is even higher than intelligence.
Verse 3.43
evaṁ buddheḥ paraṁ buddhvā saṁstabhyātmānam ātmanā |
jahi śatruṁ mahā-bāho kāma-rūpaṁ durāsadam ||43||
evam buddheh param buddhva samstabhyatmanam atmana |
jahi shatrum maha-baho kama-rupan durasadam ||43||
Translation: Thus knowing oneself to be transcendental to material senses, mind and intelligence, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one should steady the mind by deliberate spiritual intelligence [Krishna consciousness] and thus conquer this insatiable enemy known as lust.