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Chapter 3 · Verse 23 · Karma Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 3.23

empowering Karma & Action Dharma & Duty Self & Identity

Sanskrit

यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः। मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः।।3.23।।

Transliteration

yadi hyahaṁ na varteyaṁ jātu karmaṇyatandritaḥ mama vartmānuvartante manuṣhyāḥ pārtha sarvaśhaḥ

Word by Word

yadi if
hi certainly
aham I
na not
varteyam thus engage
jātu ever
karmaṇi in the performance of prescribed duties
atandritaḥ carefully
mama my
vartma path
anuvartante follow
manuṣhyāḥ all men
pārtha Arjun, the son of Pritha
sarvaśhaḥ in all respects
Simplified Perspective

Krishna reveals here the profound responsibility of the enlightened soul: when the Divine withdraws from action, the entire creation loses its moral compass and descends into chaos. This is not ego speaking—it is the recognition that consciousness itself must embody its teachings through tireless, selfless work.

The moment you realize your unity with all life, you understand that your disciplined action becomes the silent instruction manual by which others learn to live. In our modern age of distraction and avoidance, this verse calls you to stop waiting for permission to matter—your focused engagement with your duties, done without complaint or attachment, is itself a transmission of grace.

Listen

Bhagavad Gita 3.23 — BG 3.23

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

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