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Chapter 3 · Verse 1 · Karma Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 3.1

philosophical Karma & Action Dharma & Duty Jnana & Wisdom

Sanskrit

अर्जुन उवाच ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन। तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव।।3.1।।

Transliteration

arjuna uvācha jyāyasī chet karmaṇas te matā buddhir janārdana tat kiṁ karmaṇi ghore māṁ niyojayasi keśhava

Word by Word

arjunaḥ uvācha Arjun said
jyāyasī superior
chet if
karmaṇaḥ than fruitive action
te by you
matā is considered
buddhiḥ intellect
janārdana he who looks after the public, Krishna
tat then
kim why
karmaṇi action
ghore terrible
mām me
niyojayasi do you engage
keśhava Krishna, the killer of the demon named Keshi
Simplified Perspective

Arjuna's question cuts to the heart of spiritual life: if wisdom is truly superior to action, why does Krishna command him into battle? This is the eternal tension between contemplation and engagement that every seeker faces.

The answer Krishna gives will transform how we understand dharma—not as rigid duty imposed from outside, but as sacred action aligned with our deepest nature. When you feel pulled between inner peace and outer responsibility, remember that true wisdom never asks you to abandon the world, but to act within it with clarity and surrender.

Listen

Bhagavad Gita 3.1 — BG 3.1

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Sanskrit text from the Bhagavad Gita (public domain). Commentary © Mahakatha.

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