Bhagwat Gita - Its Essence

Chapter 3 - Selfless Action - Duty

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Herein the performance of duties that is obligatory to all is ascertained. Lord Krishna explains how it be the duty of every member to carry out his/her responsibilities in all stages of life as per the rules and regulations of the society; why such duties be performed; what benefit be gained by performing them and what harm be caused by non-performing them. This chapter further explains what actions lead to bondage/salvation.

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अर्जुन उवाच

ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन।

तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव॥

॥३- १॥

व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव में।

तदेकं वद निश्चित्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम्॥

॥३- २॥

Arjun

'O Krishna! I am perplexed in this reaction,

If detached meditation be superior to action,

Why urge me to dreadful war accomplishment,

I pray guide me – show me enlightenment.'

3. 1-2

लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ।

ज्ञानयोगेन सांख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम्॥

॥३- ३॥

श्रीभगवानुवाच

न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते।

न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति॥

॥३- ४॥

न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत्।

कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः॥

॥३- ५॥

Krishna

'There be two paths to salvation,

Knowledge and of selfless action,

But if he discards action altogether,

Looses freedom here - salvation hereafter.'

'You can not from action be free,

For it be your nature – truly,

Action and reaction you will see,

Nature enforces each to act – surely.'

'If he discards altogether action,

Though nature impels acts and reactions,

Man attains here neither freedom,