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Chapter 3 · Verse 22 · Karma Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 3.22

philosophical Karma & Action Dharma & Duty Jnana & Wisdom

Sanskrit

न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन। नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि।।3.22।।

Transliteration

na me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ triṣhu lokeṣhu kiñchana nānavāptam avāptavyaṁ varta eva cha karmaṇi

Word by Word

na not
me mine
pārtha Arjun
asti is
kartavyam duty
triṣhu in the three
lokeṣhu worlds
kiñchana any
na not
anavāptam to be attained
avāptavyam to be gained
varte I am engaged
eva yet
cha also
karmaṇi in prescribed duties
Simplified Perspective

Krishna reveals the paradox at the heart of enlightened action: the Self that has realized its own fullness has nothing left to gain, nothing left to lose, and yet moves through the world engaged in sacred duty. This is not apathy or withdrawal—it is action flowing from completeness rather than from hunger.

When you act from a place of inner wholeness instead of desperate need, your work becomes an offering rather than a transaction, and you become free even while serving.

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Bhagavad Gita 3.22 — BG 3.22

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

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