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Chapter 03, Verse 18
श्रीभगवानुवाच:
नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन ।
न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्चिदर्थव्यपाश्रयः ॥18 ॥
sri-bhagavan uvaca:
naiva tasya krtenartho nakrteneh kascana ।
na chasya sarva-bhutesu kascid Artha-vyapasrayah॥18 ॥
Word-by-Word Analysis
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
|
श्रीभगवानुवाच: (sri-bhagavan uvaca) |
The Supreme Lord said: This marks Krishna’s first direct
speech in the Bhagavad Gita, where he begins guiding
Arjuna.
|
|
नैव (na eva) |
Not indeed |
|
तस्य (tasya) |
Of him (the realized person) |
|
कृतेन (krtena) |
By action (performed) |
|
अर्थः (arthah) |
Purpose, gain, benefit |
|
न (na) |
Nor |
|
अकृतेन (akrtena) |
By inaction |
|
इह (iha) |
Here (in this world) |
|
कश्चन (kascana) |
Anyone, anything |
|
न च (na ca) |
Nor indeed |
|
अस्य (asya) |
Of him |
|
सर्वभूतेषु (sarva-bhutesu) |
Among all beings |
|
कश्चित् (kascit) |
Any |
|
अर्थ (artha) |
Need, dependence |
|
व्यपाश्रयः (vyapasrayah) |
Dependence, reliance |
Translation
“A self-realized man has no purpose to fulfill in the discharge of his prescribed duties, nor has he any reason not to perform such work. Nor has he any need to depend on any other living being.”
Context of the Verse:
This verse comes from Chapter 3 – Karma Yoga – the Path of Selfless Action. It is essential to understand that here Lord Krishna is conversing with Arjuna and explaining to him what a self-realized person with yogic consciousness is like, who transcends desires, ego, and duality. Krishna continues by stating that such a person acts not from necessity, or greed, or fear, but out of inner fulfillment.
Key Teachings in This Verse:
- Self-sufficiency of the Enlightened One: – A person who has achieved spiritual enlightenment does not gain anything by performing or not performing actions.
- Independent of the Outside World: – They do not depend on the outside world or others for satisfaction.
- Freedom of Doer ship And Results: – When there is freedom from ego and desire, the entire action becomes spontaneous.
- Society Worker: –Although such persons do not require society to be self-sufficient, they do anything for their society for others, to set an example for a common man (as Krishna will further describe in the following slokas).
Relevance to Arjuna:
This verse serves as a quiet encouragement for Arjuna. Krishna is teaching him the path of unperturbed action. Arjuna, although not yet self-realized, continues to carry out his duties (Dharma) as a warrior. Krishna is saying “Even the self-realized do not refrain from action – therefore you should also perform your duty without attachment or desire.”
Explanation:
A self-realized soul has no reason to perform the prescribed duties, and there is no reason not to do the duty. So what he’s supposed to do, he can do anything. As per the wish of the supreme personality of Godhead. That is what Lord Krishna is recommending now.
Chapter 03, Verse 19
तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर ।
असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः ॥19॥
tasmad asaktah satatam karyam karma samacara ।
asakto hy acaran karma param apnoti purusha॥19॥
Word-by-Word Analysis
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
|
तस्मात् (tasmat) |
Therefore |
|
असक्तः (asaktah) |
Without attachment |
|
सततम् (satatam) |
Always, constantly |
|
कार्यं (karyam) |
Duty, prescribed action |
|
कर्म (karma) |
Action |
|
समाचर (samacara) |
Perform, carry out |
|
असक्तः (asaktah) |
Unattached |
|
हि (hi) |
Indeed |
|
आचरन् (acaran) |
Performing, engaging in |
|
कर्म (karma) |
Action |
|
परमम् (paramam) |
The supreme, highest |
|
आप्नोति (apnoti) |
Attains |
|
पुरुषः (purusha) |
Person, man |
Translation
“Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of one’s actions, one should act as a matter of duty, for by working without attachment, one attains the supreme.”
Context of the Verse:
This verse immediately follows Krishna’s description of the self-realized soul in verse 18, one who has nothing to gain from actions or inactions. Now, Krishna returns to action, which clarifies how even people who have not reached that level should work without attachment. He emphasizes the importance of Karma Yoga – the yogic path of selfless action – and instructs Arjuna to act as a warrior and do his duty, regardless of the outcome.
Key Teachings in This Verse:
- Detachment In Action:- Do your action without getting attached to your action.
- Consistency in Duty (Satatam):- Here, it’s not like doing good things every now and then.
- Karyam Karma (Prescribed Duty) :- Do what is right, not what is easy, or what you want to do:
- Liberation From Karmic Debt: – The state of being unattached in action takes one closer to Paramam – the Supreme goal (liberation, peace, or realization).
Relevance to Arjuna:
In addressing this to Arjuna, who knows nothing but confusion and attachment, Krishna teaches Arjuna to understand that dispassionate understanding is a necessity.
Krishna reminds Arjuna:- “Even if you don’t feel like it, your Dharma (duty) as a warrior should happen, but do not do it with a selfish motive. This is the way to freedom.”
Krishna therefore gently but firmly steers Arjuna back toward action, demonstrating that detached action leads to liberation.
Explanation:
So, the supreme is impersonal Brahma Jyoti for the im-personalists. And the supreme is supreme personality of Godhead for the devotees, for the Buddhi Yogis or Bhakti Yogis. In either case, if a person works without attachment, then one attains the supreme. Either the Brahma Jyoti, or the Association of Krishna in the Vaikuntha planets or in Go-lok Brindavan. The top most of the Vaikuntha planet they release personally with his associate.
Chapter 03, Verse 20
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः ।
लोकसंग्रहमेवापि संपश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि ॥20॥
Karmanaiva hi samsiddhim asthita janakadayah ।
loka-sangraham evapi sampasyan kartum arhasi ॥20॥
Word-by-Word Analysis
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
|
कर्मणा एव (Karmana eva) |
By action alone |
|
हि (hi) |
Indeed |
|
संसिद्धिम् (samsiddhim) |
Perfection, liberation |
|
आस्थिताः (asthitah) |
Attained |
|
जनक-आदयः (janaka-adayah) |
Kings like Janaka and others |
|
लोक-संग्रहम् (loka-sangraham) |
Welfare of the world, keeping society together |
|
एव अपि (eva-api) |
Even also |
|
संपश्यन् (sampasyan) |
Seeing, considering |
|
कर्तुम् (kartum) |
To do |
|
अर्हसि (arhasi) |
You ought, you should |
Translation
“Even kings like Janak and others attained the perfectional stage by performance of prescribed duties. Therefore, just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work.”
Context of the Verse:
This verse is a continuation of Krishna’s teachings on Karma Yoga — the path of selfless action. Here, he cites historical instances, such as King Janaka, a famous king-sage who governed judiciously while being spiritually advanced.
Krishna elaborates on this point by asserting that mere renunciation of action does not lead to liberation and that undertaking one’s duty through action is the way to go. Krishna is not only referring to personal edification, but the act of performing one’s duties ensures that the entire society remains in balance.
Key Teachings in This Verse:
- Liberation in Action: Wisdom and detachment posture a clear and open heart to act in liberation, and liberates even while engaged in action and work—enlightenment and perfection are attainable not only through renunciation, but also through the action of unseen forces.
- Leading by Example: Outstanding personalities (e.g. King Janaka) performed their duties to set an example and maintain the loka-sangraham.
- Spiritual Action = Social Responsibility: Karma Yoga is not inwardly focused alone but outwardly responsible — action must take into account the impact on society.
- From Karma Yogi to Karma Yogi: An ideal Karma Yogi who acts for the welfare of others but is not attached to the results.
Relevance to Arjuna:
Krishna is telling Arjuna: “Never believe that you have to renounce the world to be spiritual. Even great kings like Janaka gained freedom actively by their duty and not by withdrawal. And being a leader and a warrior, what you do affects many so, do it right, and do it that is good for all.”
This is both inspiring and instructive, motivating Arjuna to act according to his dharma for his own evolution and his function as a unifier.
Explanation:
So here Krishna is telling Arjun to perform his prescribed duty of fighting only. Why? Because he is quoting the instance of Janak Maharaj, father of Mother Sita who was a self-realized soul, a pure devotee, even though he was a self-realized soul till he acted and fought many wars. And did all the regulated, prescribed duties of Varnashrama because, as Krishna will explain in the next shloka.
Chapter 03, Verse 21
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः ।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ॥21॥
yad yad acarati sresthas tat tad evetaro janah ।
sa yat pramanam kurute lokas tad anuvartate ॥21॥
Word-by-Word Analysis
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
|
यत् यत् (yad yad) |
Whatever (action) |
|
आचरति (acarati) |
Does, performs |
|
श्रेष्ठः (sresthah) |
The best, a great person |
|
तत् तत् (tat tat) |
That very (action) |
|
एव (eva) |
Certainly, exactly |
|
इतरः जनः (itarah janah) |
Common people, others
|
|
सः (sah) |
He |
|
यत् प्रमाणं (yat pramanam) |
Whatever standard or example
|
|
कुरुते (kurute) |
Sets, performs |
|
लोकः (lokah) |
The world, society |
|
तत् अनुवर्तते (tat anuvartate) |
Follows that |
Translation
“Whatever action is performed by a great man; common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.”
Context of the Verse:
This verse makes the point outlined in the previous verse (3.20), where Krishna has cited King Janaka as an example. Now, Krishna goes on to explain the crucial role that leaders and role models play in society. A wise person should therefore continue to set a good example, as people naturally gravitate towards inspiring individuals of wise and noble character and then start to imitate them.
Here Krishna is also gently reminding Arjuna that he is not just an individual who can act solely in his own interest, like a child refusing to share a toy; what he chooses to do (or not to do) will affect the morale and behavior of thousands of others.
Key Teachings in This Verse:
- Time and Again – Actions speak louder than words. What you see, rather than what you are told, is what people tend to follow.
- Leaders The leaders and respected people must be responsible because their actions define the society.
- One does not abandon duties, for such an example is a means by which others can be uplifted.
- The Mindfulness Rule: What You Teach, You Practice
Relevance to Arjuna:
Krishna is telling Arjuna: – “You are a kshatriya prince, a leader, a hero for many. If you cower out of uncertainty, what will the universe glean from that? Your conduct will serve as an example so, let that example be one of bravery, honor and integrity.”
This appeals not only to Arjuna’s sense of dharma but also to his place in society, reminding him of the fact that what he does really matters to the world.
Explanation:
So, the world will pursue the leaders of the society and the best leader is the king himself. So if King is found not to be doing the duties of Varnashrama nicely, then all the ordinary people who are not self-realized, they may also lead their duties. Thinking of this is the right conduct.
That is why it is very, very important for Arjuna. Krishna is telling because you are also leader, you are also king. The great General people look up to you. So please do your duties very nicely. But without any attachment, not for enjoying the results of the activities.