Karma Yoga
The path of selfless action is explained. Krishna teaches that disciplined action without attachment to results leads to spiritual liberation.
Na karmanam anarambhan naishkarmyam purusho 'shnute, na ca sannyasanad eva siddhim samadhigacchati
Not by abstaining from action does one attain freedom from action. Nor by mere renunciation does one attain perfection.
Na hi kashcit kshanam api jatu tishthaty akarma-krit, karyate hy avashah karma sarvah prakriti-jair gunaih
No one can remain without action even for a moment. Indeed, all beings are compelled to act by their qualities born of material nature.
Na hi kashcit kshanam api jatu tishthaty akarma-krit, karyate hy avashah karma sarvah prakriti-jair gunaih
No one can remain without action even for a moment. Indeed, all beings are compelled to act by their qualities born of material nature.
Niyatam kuru karma tvam karma jyayo hy akarmanah, sharira-yatrapi ca te na prasiddhyed akarmanah
You should thus perform your prescribed Vedic duties, since action is superior to inaction. By ceasing activity, even your bodily maintenance will not be possible.
Niyatam kuru karma tvam karma jyayo hy akarmanah, sharira-yatrapi ca te na prasiddhyed akarmanah
You should thus perform your prescribed Vedic duties, since action is superior to inaction. By ceasing activity, even your bodily maintenance will not be possible.
Niyatam kuru karma tvam karma jyayo hy akarmanah, sharira-yatrapi ca te na prasiddhyed akarmanah
Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. Even the maintenance of your physical body cannot be achieved without action.
Yajna-arthat karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanah, tad-artham karma kaunteya mukta-sangah samachara
Work must be done as a sacrifice to the Supreme; otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your duties for His satisfaction, and you will be free from bondage.
Yajna-shishtashinah santo mucyante sarva-kilbishaih, bhunjate te tv agham papa ye pacanty atma-karanat
The spiritually-minded, who eat food that is first offered in sacrifice, are released from all kinds of sin. Others, who cook food for their own enjoyment, verily eat only sin.
Yajna-shishtashinah santo mucyante sarva-kilbishaih, bhunjate te tv agham papa ye pacanty atma-karanat
The spiritually-minded, who eat food that is first offered in sacrifice, are released from all kinds of sin. Others, who cook food for their own enjoyment, verily eat only sin.
Yajña-shishtashinah santo mucyante sarva-kilbishaih, bhunjate te tv agham papa ye pacanty atma-karanat
The spiritually-minded, who eat food that is first offered in sacrifice, are released from all sins. Others, who cook food for their own enjoyment, verily eat only sin.
Evam pravartitam chakram nanuvartayatiha yah, aghayur indriyaramo mogham partha sa jivati
O Arjuna, those who do not follow the cycle of sacrifice thus set forth, but revel in sense pleasures, lead a sinful life of no purpose.
Evam pravartitam chakram nanuvartayatiha yah, aghayur indriyaramo mogham partha sa jivati
O Arjuna, those who do not follow the cycle of sacrifice thus set forth, but revel in sense pleasures, lead a sinful life of no purpose.
Evam pravartitam chakram nanuvartayatiha yah, aghayur indriyaramo mogham partha sa jivati
My dear Arjuna, one who does not follow the cycle of sacrifice lives in vain, who is sensual by nature, lives uselessly.
Yas tv atma-ratir eva syad atma-triptas ca manavah, atmany eva ca santushtas tasya karyam na vidyate
But those who rejoice in the self, who are illumined and fully satisfied in the self, for them there is no duty.
Tasmad asaktah satatam karyam karma samachara, asakto hy acharan karma param apnoti purushah
Therefore, without attachment, constantly perform action which is duty, for by performing action without attachment, one attains the Supreme.
Yad yad acarati shresthas tat tad evetaro janah, sa yat pramanam kurute lokas tad anuvartate
Whatever action a great person performs, common people follow. And whatever standards they set by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.
Yad yad acarati shreshtas tat tad evetaro janah, sa yat pramanam kurute lokas tad anuvartate
Whatever action a great person performs, common people follow. And whatever standards they set by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.
Prakriteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvashah, ahankara-vimudhatma kartaham iti manyate
The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature.
Prakriteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvashah, ahankara-vimudhatma kartaham iti manyate
All activities are carried out by the three modes of material nature. But in ignorance, the soul, deluded by false ego, thinks itself to be the doer.
Mayi sarvani karmani sannyasyadhyatma-cetasa, nirashir nirmamo bhutva yudhyasva vigata-jvarah
Therefore, surrendering all your works unto Me, with mind intent on the self, free from desire and possessiveness, and cured of mental fever, fight.
Shreyan sva-dharmo vigunah para-dharmat sv-anushthitat, sva-dharme nidhanam shreyah para-dharmo bhayavahah
It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another's duties perfectly. Better to die performing one's own duty than adopt another's, for that is dangerous.
Arjuna uvaca: Atha kena prayukto 'yam papam charati purushah, anicchann api varshneya balad iva niyojitah
Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is it that drives a person to commit sin, even unwillingly, as if by force?
Arjuna uvaca: Atha kena prayukto 'yam papam charati purushah, anicchann api varshneya balad iva niyojitah
Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is it that drives a person to commit sin, even unwillingly, as if by force?
Arjuna uvaca: Atha kena prayukto 'yam papam carati purushah, anicchann api varshneya balad iva niyojitah
Arjuna said: O descendant of Vrishni, by what is one impelled to sinful acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force?
Shri bhagavan uvaca: Kama esha krodha esha rajo-guna-samudbhavah, mahasano maha-papma viddhy enam iha vairinam
The Supreme Lord said: It is lust and anger, born of the mode of passion, that compel one to sin. They are the all-devouring, sinful enemies in this world.
Shri bhagavan uvaca: Kama esha krodha esha rajo-guna-samudbhavah, mahasano maha-papma viddhy enam iha vairinam
The Supreme Lord said: It is lust and anger, born of the mode of passion, that compel one to sin. They are the all-devouring, sinful enemies in this world.
Sri-bhagavan uvaca: Kama esha krodha esha rajo-guna-samudbhavah, mahasano maha-papma viddhy enam iha vairinam
The Supreme Lord said: It is lust only, Arjuna, which is born of contact with the mode of passion and later transformed into wrath, and which is the all-devouring sinful enemy of this world.
Dhumenavriyate vahnir yathadarso malena ca, yatholbenavrto garbhas tatha tenedam avritam
As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror by dust, and as an embryo is covered by the womb, similarly one's knowledge is covered by this lust.
Indriyani parany ahur indriyebhyah param manah, manasas tu para buddhir yo buddheh paratas tu sah
The senses are superior to the gross body, the mind is superior to the senses, the intellect is superior to the mind, and the soul is superior to the intellect.
Indriyani parany ahur indriyebhyah param manah, manasas tu para buddhir yo buddheh paratas tu sah
The senses are superior to the gross body, the mind is superior to the senses, the intellect is superior to the mind, and the soul is superior to the intellect.
Indriyani parany ahur indriyebhyah param manah, manasas tu para buddhir yo buddheh paratas tu sah
The senses are said to be superior to the gross body, and superior to the senses is the mind. Beyond the mind is the intellect, and even beyond the intellect is the soul.
Evam buddheh param buddhva samstabhyatmanam atmana, jahi shatrum maha-baho kama-rupam durasadam
Thus knowing the soul to be superior to the material intellect, O mighty-armed Arjuna, subdue the self by the self and conquer lust, the formidable enemy.
Evam buddheh param buddhva samstabhyatmanam atmana, jahi shatrum maha-baho kama-rupam durasadam
Thus knowing the soul to be superior to the material intellect, O mighty-armed Arjuna, subdue the self by the self, and conquer this formidable enemy called lust.