Chapter 3: The Yoga of Action

Verses (43)

1. 3.1

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

   Wisdom without action remains incomplete. True leadership demands decisive action informed by clear thinking, not endless deliberation that paralyzes ...

2. 3.2

   व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे। तदेकं वद निश्िचत्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम्।।3.2।।

   When facing conflicting advice, focus on your core values and circumstances rather than seeking one universal answer. Context determines the right pat...

3. 3.3

   श्री भगवानुवाच लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ। ज्ञानयोगेन सांख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योग...

   Master your role through either deep reflection or committed action—choose the path matching your nature, then pursue it with full dedication.

4. 3.4

   न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते। न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति।।3.4।।

   Avoiding responsibility doesn't create success. True fulfillment comes from engaged action aligned with your purpose, not withdrawal from challenges.

5. 3.5

   न हि कश्िचत्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत्। कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः।।3.5।।

   Action is inevitable; focus your energy on purposeful work aligned with your values rather than resisting the need to act.

6. 3.6

   कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन्। इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते।।3.6।।

   True integrity requires aligning your actions with your values. Merely thinking about doing right while acting otherwise reveals self-deception and un...

7. 3.7

   यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन। कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते।।3.7।।

   Focus on disciplined action while detaching from outcomes. Control your efforts through mindful intention, not emotional attachment to results. This b...

8. 3.8

   नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः। शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः।।3.8।।

   Focus on your core responsibilities with full commitment. Purposeful action drives growth and sustains success; passivity guarantees stagnation and de...

9. 3.9

   यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः। तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसंगः समाचर।।3.9।।

   Perform your duties with full commitment but without clinging to outcomes. This detachment from results paradoxically frees you to do your best work.

10. 3.10

    सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः। अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक्।।3.10।।

    Focus on creating systems and structures that benefit everyone. When you build organizations that serve collective growth, prosperity naturally follow...

11. 3.11

    देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः। परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ।।3.11।।

    Invest in others' growth and success; reciprocal support creates mutual prosperity and achieves excellence for all.

12. 3.12

    इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः। तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः।।3.12।...

    Share success with your team and stakeholders. Hoarding gains without reciprocal contribution breaks trust and creates unsustainable advantage.

13. 3.13

    यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः। भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात्।।3.13।।

    Share the fruits of your work generously with others; self-serving actions breed negative consequences, while contributing to collective good purifies...

14. 3.14

    अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भवः। यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः।।3.14।।

    Focus on the chain of cause and effect: your deliberate actions create value, which sustains your organization and people. Everything flows from inten...

15. 3.15

    कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम्। तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम्।।3.1...

    All meaningful work stems from universal principles. Master these fundamentals, and your actions create lasting impact through disciplined contributio...

16. 3.16

    एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः। अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति।।3.16।।

    Align your actions with your role's purpose. Ignoring your responsibilities wastes your potential and leads to reactive, unfulfilled living.

17. 3.17

    यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः। आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते।।3.17।।

    Inner fulfillment frees you from compulsive action. Leaders who find purpose within themselves make clearer decisions and avoid burnout-driven choices...

18. 3.18

    नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन। न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्िचदर्थव्यपाश्रयः।।3.18।।

    True leadership emerges when you act without attachment to outcomes, freeing yourself from anxiety about results and dependence on external validation...

19. 3.19

    तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर। असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः।।3.19।।

    Focus on your work's excellence, not its rewards. Detachment from outcomes reduces stress while improving performance and fulfillment.

20. 3.20

    कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः। लोकसंग्रहमेवापि संपश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि।।3.20।।

    Lead by example through committed action. Your dutiful work inspires others and prevents societal decline more than words ever could.

21. 3.21

    यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः। स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते।।3.21।।

    Leaders set the standard through their actions, not words. Your behavior becomes the blueprint others follow, making integrity your most influential t...

22. 3.22

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

    Leaders create meaning through purposeful action, not outcomes. Excellence comes from commitment to the work itself, regardless of results already ach...

23. 3.23

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

    Leaders set culture through consistent action. Your vigilance and commitment directly shape how your team behaves and performs daily.

24. 3.24

    उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम्। सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः।।3.24।।

    Leaders must act decisively despite personal doubts. Inaction creates chaos; your responsibility is to engage fully, not withdraw from difficult decis...

25. 3.25

    सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत। कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्िचकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम्।।3.25।।

    Lead by example without ego. Perform your duties excellently while staying detached from outcomes, inspiring others through your integrity rather than...

26. 3.26

    न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम्। जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान् युक्तः समाचरन्।।3.26।।

    Lead by example rather than criticism. Focus on your own excellence while guiding others toward their responsibilities through action, not judgment.

27. 3.27

    प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः। अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताऽहमिति मन्यते।।3.27।।

    Recognize that external circumstances and team dynamics drive outcomes more than your ego. Release attachment to personal credit and lead with clarity...

28. 3.28

    तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः। गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते।।3.28।।

    Detach from outcomes by understanding that external circumstances and reactions are natural forces beyond your control; focus only on your choices and...

29. 3.29

    प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु। तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत्।।3.29।।

    Don't impose your understanding on those unprepared to receive it. Lead by example, not by force.

30. 3.30

    मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा। निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः।।3.30।।

    Release attachment to outcomes, act with full commitment to your purpose, and lead without ego or expectation of reward.

31. 3.31

    ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः। श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः।।3.31।।

    Focus on your responsibilities without questioning or resisting. Committed action aligned with clear principles liberates you from anxiety about outco...

32. 3.32

    ये त्वेतदभ्यसूयन्तो नानुतिष्ठन्ति मे मतम्। सर्वज्ञानविमूढांस्तान्विद्धि नष्टानचेतसः।।3.32।।

    Leaders who dismiss wisdom without genuine understanding, lacking discernment between what matters and what doesn't, inevitably make poor decisions th...

33. 3.33

    सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि। प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति।।3.33।।

    Understand your core nature and work with it, not against it. Authentic leadership flows from self-awareness, not forced discipline alone.

34. 3.34

    इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ। तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ।।3.34।।

    Don't let likes and dislikes cloud your judgment. Master your preferences to make objective decisions and lead effectively.

35. 3.35

    श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्। स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः।।3.35।।

    Master your unique role imperfectly rather than excel in someone else's. Authenticity beats borrowed success; misalignment breeds anxiety and failure.

36. 3.36

    अर्जुन उवाच अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः। अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः।।3.36।।

    We're often driven to act against our values by internal forces—desire, fear, habit—we don't fully recognize. Awareness of these hidden compulsions is...

37. 3.37

    श्री भगवानुवाच काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः। महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम्।।3.37।।

    Unchecked ambition and reactive anger cloud judgment and derail success. Recognize these impulses as your true adversary, not external obstacles.

38. 3.38

    धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथाऽऽदर्शो मलेन च। यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम्।।3.38।।

    Your judgment becomes clouded by obstacles—clear the mental clutter blocking your vision before making critical decisions.

39. 3.39

    आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा। कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च।।3.39।।

    Unchecked desires cloud judgment like smoke obscuring fire. Leaders must recognize ambition as the mind's greatest obstacle to clear thinking and wise...

40. 3.40

    इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते। एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम्।।3.40।।

    Ignorance clouds judgment through our senses, emotions, and thoughts. Master these three to access clear decision-making and authentic wisdom.

41. 3.41

    तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ। पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम्।।3.41।।

    Master your impulses first, then eliminate destructive habits that undermine your judgment and growth. Self-discipline precedes meaningful change.

42. 3.42

    इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः। मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः।।3.42।।

    Master your mind through reason and intellect, but recognize intuition and deeper wisdom guide your best decisions beyond pure logic.

43. 3.43

    एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना। जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम्।।3.43।।

    Master your mind through self-awareness, and persistent desire—your greatest obstacle—naturally dissolves, freeing you to lead with clarity and purpos...